Spencer reaches out to Washington

Antiguan Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has extended an invitation to Washington return to the negotiating table to settle their Internet-gaming dispute.

Antigua wants the United States (US) to either remove the online gaming ban or negotiate a "fair and reasonable" settlement.

"My government remains committed to a negotiated settlement of this matter," Spencer said in an address to the nation Sunday night.

"While urging the US to the negotiating table, CARICOM has formally endorsed Antigua and Barbuda's right to seek WTO approval to implement against the US, any remedies open to us at this time."

Since the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling in 2007, Antigua and Barbuda has sought unsuccessfully to secure a settlement but Spencer made it clear that St John's does not want to do anything that would jeopardise its relationship with Washington.

"We continue to value our long-standing friendship with the US and the cooperation and partnership we share in several areas," he said.

He reiterated that Antigua and Barbuda has the right under WTO rules to seek redress from the US.

"One such remedy could be to suspend the application of United States intellectual property rights with respect to Antigua and Barbuda. Other possible penalties exist," he said.

At its peak, the Antiguan online gaming industry offered services to clients in the US, employed almost 10 per cent of the local population and accounted for more than EC$1 billion (US$372.4 million) in revenue annually.

The US banned online gaming services to consumers in their country and carried out criminal prosecution of persons operating gaming companies in Antigua and elsewhere.

- CMC