The government-established Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which was set up five years ago to look into the bloody events of October 1983 in Grenada has made recommendations for the setting up of a National Reconciliation Council.

According to the Commission's report, the main aim of the proposed Council will be to facilitate and sustain the continuing process of healing and reconciliation in Grenada.

The proposed council, if established, is expected to include members of government and opposition political parties, the Church, trade unions, private sector and other civic organisations.

The grouping should look at re-opening or starting a new inquiry into the disappearance of the many Grenadians as well as those who died under suspicious circumstances between 1976 and 1991.

Grenada witnessed its most bloody political upheavals on October 19, 1983 when left-leaning Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, Foreign Minister Unison Whiteman, Education Minister Jacqueline Creft, Housing Minister Norris Bain and several close colleagues were executed at Fort Rupert (George).

The killings came after weeks of bitter infighting within the marxist-oriented New Jewel Movement (NJM) for control of the revolutionary process undertaken by the People's Revolutionary Government (PRG).

Five days after the slaying, U.S and Caribbean troops stormed the island to bring an end to Grenada's non-elected experiment with marxism. Ex-deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard, his wife Phyllis, General Hudson Austin and former Mobilisation Minister, Selwyn Strachan were among 17 former government and military officials convicted in court for the murders.

Since then, Phyllis Coard has been "released" by Governor-General, Sir Daniel Williams to travel to her homeland in Jamaica for treatment of "cancer" to the colon. In its report, the TRC said that although several years have passed there are many individuals and families on the island who continue to suffer physically, psychologically and emotionally, as a direct result of their experiences.

It noted in particular the turbulent seven year period between 1976 and 1983 which spanned the latter years of the Eric Gairy government and the PRG. In that period, the Gairy government was overthrown in 1979 by the Bishop-led NJM - which was itself self-destructed.

The report indicated that it was quite evident from the testimonies and evidence given, that some very serious atrocities had been committed in Grenada during that time with the possible involvement of many individuals at high levels of authority.

It suggested that another issue which a Truth and Reconciliation Council would need to address is that of compensation - the most overwhelming concern of the majority of those who appeared before the Commission.

In some cases where compensation was awarded, it was deemed as inadequate, while there still are a number of outstanding claims.

The Keith Mitchell government in St. George's is said to be studying the recommendations to upgrade the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into a fully fledged Council.