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News from the Caribbean as of
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Antigua-Barbuda minister leads high level delegation to Washington
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
WASHINGTON, USA: Dr Errol Cort, Minister of Finance and Economy and other senior Antigua and Barbuda government officials arrived in Washington, D.C., last weekend for a series of meetings with US Government officials and Members of Congress.
During his week-long visit, Cort and his delegation will hold a series of meetings with representatives at the United States Department of State, the United States Trade Representative, the Department of Justice and with Members of Congress.
Among the issues to be discussed is the internet gaming dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO), inclusive of a series of indictments of executive members of Antiguan and Barbudan gaming companies by United States Federal and State Prosecutors.
According to Cort, his visit to Washington is to further articulate the position of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda that an amicable solution to its current impasse with the United States is desirable. He further noted, that this trip to Washington, D.C., comes on the heels of recent action by the United States House of Representatives, which passed a bill (HR 4111) which seeks to criminalize the participation or the facilitation of financial payments for the purpose of internet gaming.
The Minister also expressed the concern that the passing of this bill will have a negative impact on the socio-economic development of the country. The internet gaming sector remains a vital source of employment for Antiguans and Barbudans, and the Government will take all necessary steps to protect and further enhance this sector, the Minister concluded.
In outlining his strategy for the meetings, Cort indicated that he hoped to convince US officials that Antigua and Barbuda and the United States are not at cross purposes as far as regulation of the sector is concerned. He also expressed the hope that at the conclusion of these meetings, United States officials would agree to refrain from further action against Antiguan and Barbudan based internet operators until the WTO makes its final ruling at the end of the year.
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