ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua & Barbuda’s Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer’s address to the nation:
My fellow citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, residents, friends, good evening.
As I speak to you on a few matters this evening, the World Cup Football games have come to an end in South Africa.
Some ardent football fans here in Antigua and Barbuda are no doubt disappointed that their preferred team did not do so well. Others might be happy with the outcome of the finals earlier today, having waited anxiously for this moment.
I know that the country is in a mood of expectancy too, for an entirely different reason.
The Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal has concluded hearings into the election appeal matter and we now await the ruling of the Judges.
The decision of the Court of Appeal in this matter is final and both the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the United Progressive Party, which I lead, will abide by that decision.
The commitment of the UPP-led Government to the democratic principles we have inherited, to the rule of law, and to good governance, is unquestionable. No other Government in the history of our twin-island home, has been more strident in the defence of these sacred principles, or has passed more laws to safeguard them, than the current Administration.
Neither the Government nor the UPP will engage in any actions or rhetoric that is not in the best interest of our country. Leaders of the Antigua Labour Party, on the other hand, have continued their irresponsible behaviour by threatening to lock down the country if things do not go their way. I am confident that the vast majority of Antiguans and Barbudans, who are decent, hardworking and law-abiding people, would not allow that to happen.
The independence of the judiciary, which the countries of the OECS share, is enshrined in our constitutional arrangements. This independence of the courts continues to be honoured, respected and defended by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the United progressive Party.
While we await the decision of the Appeal Court, the Government continues to carry out the mandate given to us by you the people of Antigua and Barbuda, to implement policies and programmes that will make life better for you.
We have now concluded our negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and have received the first tranche of a loan from that agency.
The Government continues to pursue a fiscally responsible economic programme in the interest of the country and we are taking all the necessary steps to meet the quarterly performance targets we have agreed with the IMF.
Some major new tourism developments are now in the planning stages. When these are completed, they will create many new jobs for Antiguans and Barbudans.
The first phase of the major street lighting project which the Government is undertaking in collaboration with the Government of the People’s Republic of China, is nearing completion.
Our ongoing consultations with the people in communities right across Antigua and Barbuda, indicate that proper roads and quality health care at the community level are among the Government services that must be given top priority.
As such, a dedicated road fund to finance a comprehensive programme of road repairs and construction across Antigua and Barbuda, continues to occupy the attention of the Government.
The upgrading of community health centres and the building of new ones are also under active consideration in the national planning process.
These are Government programmes that must be implemented in the future as we strengthen the economy and improve our revenue situation.
As we pursue the development agenda for our people, Barbuda is not being left out.
As we have promised, work has started on the extension of the Codrington airstrip and plans are in place to expand the terminal building.
Construction is also continuing on a fisheries complex there with funding from the Government of Japan.
Construction is about to commence on a community centre in Barbuda being financed by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
Our country continues to face some challenges, but we are working towards a positive turnaround in the near future. The situation is challenging but things will get better.
As patriotic Antiguans and Barbudans we should use these challenging times as an opportunity to work together and to show acts of kindness and support to each other as together we face the challenges.
As we work towards economic recovery however, we will have to take some very tough decisions to further cut government spending. This is because government revenues have been severely affected by the economic climate.
Simply put, what is true for our own families is also true for the entire country. We cannot and should not spend more money than we earn.
As we make good progress in keeping the country steady in the midst of the ongoing worldwide economic storm, the Government is aware that there are some serious constraints in meeting the many real needs of our people.
During these testing economic times for everyone, the Government has been giving serious attention to the issue of consumer protection. An Inter-Ministerial Consumer Protection Task Force has been established, and it has been providing useful information to help consumers with their purchasing decisions.
As you might be aware too, the Government has started a process to transform and improve the public sector.
This is a critical part of the Government’s commitment to building a better public service in Antigua and Barbuda.
The aim is to make the public sector better able to efficiently deliver service to you the people. The programme is designed too, to improve the skill levels of persons working in the system.
We are being assisted by the World Bank and the Organization of American States (OAS) in this project.
I urge all public servants, including the management and staff of all statutory bodies, to give your full support and cooperation to the consultants leading this reform project.
Let us bear in mind that public sector reform will benefit everybody – the public servants themselves, the entire Government, as well as the general population of Antigua and Barbuda.
Therefore, let us all work together to make public sector transformation a successful reality.
At this time of year, we are in the hurricane season, and the National Office of Disaster Services has already identified several facilities in Antigua and Barbuda to be used as shelters in the event of a hurricane. District coordinators are in place to direct hurricane preparation activities at the community level. Persons are reminded to listen for information in this regard through the media.
We should remember at all times, that Antigua and Barbuda is a proud member of the Caribbean Community of nations.
Heads of Government of CARICOM came together in Montego Bay, Jamaica this past week for our 31st Regular Meeting. I had the honour of leading our country’s small delegation to that meeting as we sought answers and forged common positions for the many problems facing our region.
Included among the things we discussed was the reconstruction and long-term development of Haiti, following the devastating earthquake there in January. We also received an update on steps being taken to build the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
For Antigua and Barbuda, one of the most far-reaching decisions taken by CARICOM Heads of Government in Montego Bay, was the formal endorsement of our country’s position in the long running dispute with the United States of America, over compensation that is due to us for US action which has effectively shut down the Internet gaming industry here.
If you recall, at its peak some ten years ago, the online gaming industry offered services to clients in the US, employed almost ten per cent of the population of Antigua and Barbuda, and accounted for more than one billion dollars in revenue each year.
The US banned our online gaming services to consumers in their country and carried out criminal prosecutions of persons operating gaming companies in Antigua and elsewhere.
These actions violated the obligations of the US under the World Trade Organization’s General Agreement on Trade in Services.
Despite the WTO having ruled in favour of Antigua and Barbuda and against the US action at every stage of the dispute, we have been unable to realise any benefits from those victories. The last such ruling in our favour was in 2007.
Antigua and Barbuda has the right under WTO law to seek from the US, remedies which are commonly referred to as sanctions or penalties. One such remedy could be to suspend the application of United States intellectual property rights with respect to Antigua. Other possible penalties exist.
Recently Brazil had a similar dispute with the United States over unfair subsidies to American cotton farmers that unfairly threatened the survival of the cotton industry in Brazil. Brazil succeeded in the case before the WTO, and in the face of inaction on the part of the US, Brazil applied to the WTO for the right to impose retaliatory sanctions against the US under WTO dispute settlement rules.
After Brazil was granted WTO approval to impose sanctions, the Americans agreed to a settlement. That settlement in April this year, among other things, provides an annual payment from the United States to Brazil on behalf of the harmed cotton farmers.
Acting alone, Antigua and Barbuda lacks the resources and influence to compel the United States to either comply with the WTO ruling and remove the online gaming ban, or to negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement.
My Government remains committed to a negotiated settlement of this matter.
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.
Even as we seek a speedy resolution to this matter, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has the highest regard for the people and Government of the United States. We continue to value our longstanding friendship with the US and the cooperation and partnership we share in several areas.
Antigua and Barbuda shares a special relationship too, with the Government and people of the State of Kuwait.
On Tuesday we will welcome to our shores, a delegation from that country, led by His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammed, Prime Minister of Kuwait.
We will be involved in several activities as part of the two-day official visit. A number of cooperation agreements will also be signed covering partnerships in several areas between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Government of the State of Kuwait.
Your government remains focused on the task ahead – that of creating social and economic opportunities for people and delivering quality service to all.
As we do so, the members of the Government continue to draw strength from the unwavering support of you, the people of our beloved country.
We thank you for that support and for your many prayers that give us strength from day to day.
We all know that at this time of the year, our rich culture comes alive in a burst of vibrant colours and pulsating calypso and steel band music. Whenever that happens we know that carnival is in the air.
Let us continue to enjoy the good natured rivalry and fun of the mas camps and the pan yards in the true spirit of the carnival season. Let us also be careful and respectful of others even as we have fun.
I thank you for tuning in to allow me to share these thoughts with you. I wish you all a very pleasant evening, and until I speak to you again, may God bless you, and may God continue to richly bless our nation and the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
