Antigua & Barbuda’s delegation to the World Trade Organisation, led by Ambassador Dr. John W. Ashe and Legal Adviser Mark Mendel, held consultations with representatives from the European Commission, Japan and China, over its internet gambling dispute against the United States.
“Now that both sides have filed their respective submissions to the WTO Panel that will hear our case against the US claim that it is \’in compliance\’ with the rulings and recommendations of the WTO\’s Dispute Settlement Body, and with the October 23 deadline for submissions by third party Members of the WTO, these consultations with the third parties provide us with an important opportunity to address all aspects of our case,” said Dr Errol Cort, Antigua\’s Minister of Finance and the Economy.
“As one of the smallest WTO Members, economically and geographically speaking, my delegation is pleased with the ongoing interest and participation in this issue from two of the largest economic trading partners of the United States, namely Japan and the European Union,” added Dr John Ashe.
Earlier this week, Caricom Ambassador Irwin La Rocque told representatives of the US Government that Caricom Member States view with concern the US’ response to date to the WTO rulings and recommendations in the internet gambling dispute with Antigua and that the issue should not be regarded as a “bilateral issue” but as a regional one.
Antigua & Barbuda is expected to submit s rebuttal on the US submission to the WTO panel in three weeks time. The WTO is expected to issue its final ruling in February 2007.
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