|
Contact:
Raymond O'Keiffe
 |
|
Minister's of Trade discussing
issues |
Castries,
St. Lucia, 12th July, 2007 -
Following is a statement by
the OECS Trade Ministers on Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing dispute with the USA
on Internet Gaming. This statement is among the conclusions of the OECS
Ministers of Trade meeting in
St. Lucia on Wednesday July 11th
2007:
“We the OECS Ministers of Trade declare
solidarity with Antigua and Barbuda’s
quest for satisfactory treatment from the
United States of America on the question of
cross border supply of internet gaming services.
We recognise the challenges faced by
Antigua and Barbuda as the
USA
fails to implement the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) General Agreement on
Trade in Services (GATS) rulings.
We the OECS Ministers of Trade are
dissatisfied with the decision by the USA to circumvent their WTO GATS
obligations by attempting to withdraw their commitments tabled in 1994 on
internet gaming.
 |
|
Antigua's Errol Cort and Other
Ministers |
We further recognise that although
Antigua and Barbuda has consistently won cases against the
USA
at the WTO disputes panel and appellate body, the
USA
is yet to bring its offending measures into conformity as directed in the
consecutive rulings. We the OECS Ministers of Trade recognise findings by the
WTO’s compliance panel that the
USA is yet to implement the decision of the
compliance panel.
The OECS Ministers of Trade view the ongoing
response by the USA
as unfortunate and that such action can significantly harm
Antigua and Barbuda’s economy. In fact this has
so far resulted in the closure of some internet gaming facilities and the
termination of some workers in that industry in
Antigua and Barbuda. Such action by the
USA
has also undermined the credibility of the WTO.
To this end, the OECS Ministers of Trade
declare their solidarity with
Antigua and Barbuda
in taking measures calculated to obtain compensation for the actions taken
against it. The OECS Ministers of Trade will fervently express such concerns
about Antigua and Barbuda’s
plight during individual and collective dialogue with the
USA.
We strongly suggest that the
United States of America engage in the appropriate dialogue
with
Antigua and Barbuda
and take the steps to comply with the WTO ruling.”
| 
