Antigua Sun- Pres. Bush is aware of the case and pledged to look into it.

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PM addresses Internet issue with President Bush

Friday June 22 2007

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer raised the country’s Internet dispute with the United States at during the meeting between Caricom leaders and President George W. Bush.

Prime Minister Spencer spoke of Antigua & Barbuda’s desire to settle the matter with the United States over the Internet Gaming dispute which the country has won at every stage at the WTO.

It was also pointed out to President Bush that by today Antigua & Barbuda will make application to the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organisation for certain remedies because of the US non-compliance with its ruling.

PM Spencer noted that President Bush said he was aware of the details of the dispute but was pleased that the matter was raised and pledged to look into the matter in an effort to reach a resolution.

The prime minister said he was optimistic that the president will do as he said and this was evident from the interest shown in the matter by Thomas Shannon, the assistant secretary of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs who inquired of the details of the dispute.

PM Spencer said President Bush made it clear that the deportation of criminals from the United States back to the Caribbean will continue as they will not be allowed to remain in the US. He said the United States is, however, prepared to assist Caribbean government in the resettling of deported individuals in the Caribbean.

Since the discussions with the United States president, Antigua & Barbuda,

Pursuant to Article 22.2 of the WTO’s Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes has requested authorisation from the Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO to suspend the application to the United States of concessions and related obligations of Antigua & Barbuda under the General Agreement on Trade in Services and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

Antigua & Barbuda, according to a press release, is aiming for the effective withdrawal of

concessions and other obligations so as to match the level of nullification or impairment of benefits accruing to Antigua & Barbuda, amounting to an annual value of US $3.443 billion, as a result of the United State’s failure, as of 3 April, 2006, to bring its measures affecting the cross-border supply of gambling and betting services into compliance with the GATS.

Antigua & Barbuda has held discussions with the United States with a view towards agreement on compensation, but to date these discussions have not resulted in any agreement.

Antigua & Barbuda remains hopeful that further discussions may result in the resolution of the issue.
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