Official newsletter

newsletter96 ( .pdf )

NE


TTER


The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission


ISSUE No.96 February 2005


AeriaCview of English and
Falmouth H3arbours
Inside
Finance Minister leads delegation to the WTO hearing of the US appeal
on Internet Gaming case (page 2 to 3)
Dialysis Unit at Holberton gets new equipment (page 5 to 6)
Antigua and Barbuda deposits CCJ Instruments with
CARICOM Secretariat (page 7)
Barbuda gets Reverse Osmosis Plant (page 8)
Digital Photos by Maurice F. Merchant


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~,









Hi/i Comm issioners message


Greetings!


The Disputes Panel of the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) ruled last year that U.S.
financial regulations, preventing transactions
between U.S. financial institutions and Antiguan-
based Internet gambling companies, were in
breach of obligations of the U.S. under the General
Agreement on Trade in Services (GA TS).

Within 45 days, the Appellate Body of the
WTO will again decide whether Antigua and
Barbuda can keep engaging in Internet gaming
legally or whether the United States would have to
change its laws to allow this method of gambling.

As a member of the delegation to the
February 21-22 hearing by the Appellate Body of
the World Trade Organization regarding the
Internet Gaming case I must say that we are
optimistic about the outcome.

Finance Minister, Dr Errol Cort, who
headed the delegation and under whose Ministry
the Directorate of Offshore Gaming falls said "If


the Panel rules in favour of Antigua and Barbuda it
would set legal precedence in a number of areas
as it pertains to the future of Internet gaming
worldwide."

Along with the European Union, Japan and
Mexico, support has also come from the
CARICOM countries.

At the CARICOM Heads of Government
Summit in Suriname on February 17 18
CARICOM Heads of Government supported
Antigua and Barbuda in its dispute with the United
States at the World Trade Organisation WTO on
the matter of Internet Gaming.

Following an intervention by Prime Minister
Baldwin Spencer, Heads issued a resolution
supporting the merits of the case outlining that it
holds implications for the provision of services
across borders by CARICOM Member States, and
all members of the WTO.

During his intervention, Prime Minister
Spencer stated that the laws the United States
passed were designed to stop the delivery of
cross-border betting and gambling services from
Antigua and Barbuda into the USA, in violation of
the US commitment under the General Agreement
on Trade in Services (GA TS).

He noted that it caused several betting
companies in Antigua and Barbuda to close,
created unemployment among the country's
highly-trained young people, and lost the economy
tens of millions of dollars per annum.

He also pointed out that following Antigua
and Barbuda's success in the matter before the
WTO, his government made efforts to settle the
matter with the USA amicably, but this was treated
by the US very casually.

In its resolution, CARICOM Heads stated
that the case was a pioneering one and was
instructive in many ways on how small states could
defend their rights in the WTO.


Dr Carl Roberts
High Commissioner








Isu No9 Fbury20


Ministers negotiate
additional 1% bonus for
port workers

On the 3rd February, Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Works,
Communications and the Environment
Wilmoth Daniel and Labour, Public
Administration and Empowerment
Minister Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro
resolved a long standing dispute between
port workers and the Board of
Commissioners over an additional 1%
incentive bonus.

The workers threatened to take
industrial action if they were not paid the
usual 5% incentive bonus. The Board of
Commissioners over the Christmas
holidays paid the workers a 4% bonus,
which it says was due to the financial
constraints the port was facing.

Both Ministers met the Board of
Commissioners of the Port and issued the
following joint statement on the outcome
of the meeting:

'Two Ministries have come
together to reach an amicable settlement
of the dispute over the additional 1%
incentive bonus to be paid to Port
workers. At a joint meeting with Minister
responsible for the Port, Wilmoth Daniel,
Labour Minister, Dr. Jacqui Quinn-
Leandro and the Board of Commissioners
of the Antigua and Barbuda Port
Authority, the concerns of the
Government, the Board of
Commissioners and the Unions were
considered.

At the meeting, the Board
outlined certain anomalies and
irregularities at the Port which required
their urgent attention and action. Chief of
these is that the Antigua and Barbuda
Port Authority is presently undergoing
serious financial difficulties inherited from
years of mal-administration of the Port
operations. These have led to the inability


of the Port to pay the annual incentive
bonus. A number of pressing economic
problems forced the Board of
Commissioners and Port Management to
take the decision to pay 4% instead of the
5% demanded by the Unions.

These include:

a) A large outlay of over $3.7 million
for compliance with the ISPS Security Code
and related equipment replacement.

b) Indebtedness to the Port by
shipping agents and other companies as
well as large outstanding collectibles;

c) An inherited indebtedness for the
Port building and infrastructure dating back
to 23 years, which the previous government
did not pay.

d) Other pressing capital
expenditures including the current
breakdown of the tugs.

It was agreed that the Board of
Commissioners was not wrong in its
interpretation and application of the Unions'
collective agreements. Both the Ministers
were of the view that any industrial action by
the workers would be illegal. This,
notwithstanding, the Ministers decided that
they ought to yield to the Unions' request to
pay the workers the additional 1%.

The Labour Minister indicated her
willingness to continue the dialogue with the
Board, Port Management and the Unions to
assess the manner in which incentive
bonuses are granted with a view towards
basing future bonuses on the profitability of
the Port as articulated in a 2000 Industrial
Court Award and the productivity of workers.

Both Ministers expressed their
pride, faith and confidence in the Board of
Commissioners of the Port and anticipated
a continued cordial working relationship.


Government moves to
establish Integrated
Financial Management
Information Systems

The government is closer to
enhancing its fiscal management with
the arrival of 150 computer systems to
be used in the Integrated Financial
Management Information Systems
(IFMIS).

In announcing the arrival of
the computers, Finance Minister Dr.
Errol Cort said, "Indeed, any fiscally
prudent government must make an
investment in the development of the
governance infrastructure, necessary
to support fiscal management.

"We must ensure
accountability for the processing and
reporting of government's operational
budget, and we must re-establish
policy credibility, as essential
conditions for private sector led
growth."

Dr. Cort said the computers
were yet another milestone in the
development of a modern and
transparent Financial Management
System. "I acknowledge the receipt of
these 150 computer systems which will
be allocated to all ministries throughout
the public sector in an effort to facilitate
the implementation of the FreeBalance
Accounting System."

The Finance Minister advised
that the first phase of deployment
would be distributed within the
accounts sections of the Prime
Minister's Office, the Ministry of
Finance, Treasury Division, Audit
Department and the Public Works
Department.

He said it was through a
strong partnership with the Royal Bank
of Canada that the government was


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Issue F


able to negotiate the pricing and support
relationship with Dell for the systems. "For
this, we extend our heartfelt and deepest
gratitude to Eileen Murraine, Manager,
Royal Bank of Canada and Ross
McDonald, Senior Vice President of Royal
Bank of Canada, Bahamas and the
Caribbean.

"The success of this endeavour
is what can be achieved when both the
Public and Private Sectors work together,"
he concluded.

Ms. Murraine said that her
establishment was delighted to assist the
government in this venture and will be
willing to come forward once again to
assist future beneficial causes that will
facilitate the effective functioning of
government.

The computers were bought
from Dell USA at a cost of $169,000.


Minister leads delegation to
the WTO hearing of the US
appeal on Internet gaming
case

Minister of Finance and the
Economy, Dr. Errol Cort, led Antigua and
Barbuda's delegation to the February 21-22
hearing by the Appellate Body of the World
Trade Organization of an appeal by the
United States against the findings of the
WTO Panel, which ruled in favour of Antigua
and Barbuda in the now famous "Internet
gaming case."

On Monday 21st February,
Minister Cort presented a 21-page
document to the Appellate Body outlining
Antigua and Barbuda's case.

Dr. Cort in reiterating Antigua and
Barbuda's position in the Internet Gaming
Dispute stressed that "Antigua has not
brought this case on behalf of the global
Internet gambling industry. Further, Antigua


has always taken the position that
gambling services should be properly
regulated".

"We believe that any
resolution to this dispute will see our
two countries developing a scheme
reasonably acceptable to both of us
that allows Antiguan operators fair
competitive access to consumers in the
United States. Although the United
States is not ready to negotiate with
Antigua at this time, we are hopeful that
upon Antigua prevailing in this appeal,
the United States will consider
constructive engagement with us to
achieve a speedy and comprehensive
solution," the Finance Minister said.

Opening statements were
also presented by some of the
third party participants to include, the
European Community, Japan and
Mexico.

Following the opening
statements, the Appellate Body
proceeded to ask the teams from
Antigua and Barbuda and the US a
series of questions which continued on
the 22nd February.

According to Dr. Cort, most of
the questions centred around the
countries' interpretation of the GATS
rules particularly Articles 14 & 16.

The Panel has reserved ruling
and will issue a written decision within
45 days to Antigua and Barbuda and
the United States.

Dr. Cort said he was satisfied
with the level of argument presented by
the legal team which was headed by
Attorney-at-Law Mr. Mark Mendel. To
this end, he says that he is cautiously
optimistic since there are a number of
issues that the Appellate Body will have
to consider thus, making it a very
complex case.


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Issue F


In addition to the Minister, the
delegation to the oral hearing included
Antigua and Barbuda's Permanent
Representative to the WTO, H.E. Dr.
John W. Ashe; the Deputy Permanent
Representative to the WTO, H.E. Dr.
Carl Roberts; Director of Gaming, Mrs
Kaye Mc Donald and a legal team
headed by Attorney-at-Law, Mark
Mendel.


Former President of El
Salvador visits Prime
Minister Spencer

On 10th February the former
President of El Salvador and candidate for
the position of Secretary-General of the
Organisation of American States OAS
Francisco Flores paid a courtesy call on
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

President Flores was on a tour of
the region seeking support for his
candidacy. During his discussion with
Prime Minister Spencer he outlined his
background and the accomplishments of
his administration while he was the
President of El Salvador. He said that if
chosen for the position of Secretary-
General of the OAS he will bring the
Organisation closer to the Heads of State
of the hemisphere and in service of their
agenda.

President Flores also
congratulated Prime Minister Spencer on
the accomplishments so far of his
administration, outlining that his
government has already projected to the
international community that the business
of running government has changed in the
interest of the people.

Prime Minister Spencer laid out
Antigua and Barbuda's vision for the OAS
and the kind of support that CARICOM
member states would be looking for in any
candidate for the leadership of the OAS.


Prime Minister Spencer (centre) ano Former Presioent
of E( Salvabor ivitb Anmbassabor Cofin MIuriodc,
AmIbassaor Moran a~n Mariarita Escobar, Vice
Minister of Foreil Affairs o El Salvabor

President Flores is among three
candidates seeking the position of
Secretary General of the OAS. His
Excellency Jose Miguel Insulza, Minister of
the Interior of Chile and a former Minister of
Foreign Affairs and His Excellency Luis
Ernesto Derbez, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Mexico are the other two candidates.

Increased cost of gasoline
and diesel to be absorbed by
Government

The Government of Antigua and
Barbuda is to absorb the increased cost of
gasoline and diesel in the country.

This proposal resulted from the
increase in gasoline purchased by West
Indies Oil Company, the sole provider of fuel
in the country, by 99 cents per gallon and
diesel by 70 cents per gallon. If these
increases were passed on to the consumer,
the retail price of gasoline would increase to
$9.20 and diesel to $9.01. Currently
consumers pay $8.21 for gasoline and
$8.31 for diesel per gallon at the pumps.

The absorbing of the increases is
expected to cost the Government an
estimated sum of one million dollars over
the one month period of the consumption of
this batch of products.

Although the initiative will put a
strain on the Government, the Ministry of


Finance and Economy says they have
reviewed the total economic situation
and decided to bear the loss of
revenue and absorb the increase at
this juncture.

However, the government
said it will not be in a position to
absorb further increases should
* petroleum prices continue to rise in
the immediate future.



HEALTH


CAREC to assist in
developing National
Cervical Cancer Policy for
Antigua and Barbuda.

The Ministry of Health in
collaboration with the Caribbean
Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) has
formed a Cervical Cancer Prevention
and Control Committee to develop a
National Cervical Cancer Policy for
Antigua and Barbuda.

The policy will facilitate the
coordination, standardization and
management of the Cervical Cancer
Prevention and Control Programme in
Antigua and Barbuda. The main goal
for such a programme is to reduce
morbidity and mortality from cervical
cancer.

Coordinator of the programme,
Superintendent of Public Health
Nurses, Mrs. Lindley Richardson
disclosed that the Cervical Cancer
Prevention and Control Programme will
target females 20-50 years and 60
years and over.

Mrs. Richardson is
encouraging women in Antigua and
Barbuda to get their Pap smear
screening done to detect any abnormal
cancer cells, so that it can be treated in


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Isu No9 Fbury20


its early stages. Pap smear screenings
are presently being provided by the Clare
Hall, All Saints, Browne's Avenue and
Gray's Farm Health Centres.

The mandate of CAREC is to
have the National Cervical Cancer
Programme well organized and
established by the year 2007.

Health care provision to be
improved within Health
Institutions

The Ministry of Health has
established a flexi-work programme for
nurses interested in working sessions at
Holberton Hospital, Mental Hospital and
Fiennes' Institute.

This initiative is in keeping with a
series of actions taken by the Ministry to
alleviate the nursing shortage currently
being experienced by the institutions.

Clients and patients who access
services at the institutions are expected to
reap immediate benefits from this
programme.

To facilitate the new programme,
the Ministry of Health has invited locally
registered nurses in the private sector,
clinics and nurses currently employed at
Holberton Hospital, Mental Hospital and
Fiennes' Institute to register at the
Nursing Administration Office at
Holberton Hospital, or with the
Superintendent of Public Health Nurse
within the Central Board of Health.

Government negotiates with
Stanford Group on Mount
St. John Medical Centre
Project

On the 9th February, the
Government of Antigua and Barbuda
commenced a series of meetings with the


Stanford Group to discuss issues relating to
the Mount St. John's Medical Centre.

Health Minister John Maginley
convened the meeting with a team from the
Stanford Financial Group lead by its Chief
Financial Officer Mr. Jim Davis to discuss
the future development of the medical
centre and establish new loan
arrangements.

During the discussion three areas
were identified for negotiations.

The Stanford Group will continue
to work with the Ministry of Finance
and the Ministry of Health to
produce a project document to
assist in finding a partner to
operate Mount St John's Medical
Centre

Debts owing to Medical Benefit
Scheme for the Mount St. John's
Medical Centre.

Finding a source of revenue to
assist in the redevelopment of
Holberton Hospital.

The Health Minister said that he
will continue to hold discussions with the
Stanford Financial Group, health officials
and the Ministry of Finance regarding these
three areas.


Earlier this year
Prime Minister Spencer
announced his intention of
authorizing the Minister of
Health to commence
discussions with the Stanford
S. Financial group, in an effort to
reduce the monies owed to
the group so that the Mount
St. John's Medical Centre can
become operational.






Holberton Hospital
surroundings getting
facelift

A project aimed at beautifying
the surroundings of Holberton Hospital
has started.

Health officials along with the
Hospital Administrator Gary Thomas
and the Health Minister's Advisor, Basil
Stuart, toured the institution recently to
observe the commencement of the
project.

Mr. Stuart said the project
which includes the painting of the
Causality Department, trimming of the
trees and repair work on the bathrooms
will uplift the appearance of the health
institution.

In addition, a survey is being
conducted on the property to update
the drawings of the Holberton Hospital
and the Fiennes Institute. The survey
will also assist the design process for
the complete rehabilitation of Holberton
Hospital and the Fiennes Institute.

The next project in the
pipeline for Holberton Hospital will be
the construction of a new laundry room
in the proximity of the maternity ward.


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Issue Fb


Clinton Foundation
continues support of
Antigua and Barbuda's
fight against HIV/AIDS

Antigua and Barbuda will
continue to receive technical assistance
from the Clinton Foundation in
collaboration with the Harvard Medical
School.

This was the indication given by
the two-member team Dr. Christina Kim
and Lisa Hirschhorn, who were recently in
Antigua conducting an OECS Regional
Coordinating Mechanism Assessment on
the HIV/AIDS Care, Support and
Treatment Programme.

During the meeting with Health
personnel which included the Clinical
Care Team and members of the AIDS
Secretariat, a number of areas were
highlighted, so as to get a better
understanding as to how the care, support
and treatment programme is being
executed.

These included the needs of
persons living with HIV/AIDS and their
challenges, pregnant women who are HIV
positive, medication, counselling, home
base visits and the training of
pharmacists, doctors and other health
personnel who have direct management
with Persons Living With HIV/AIDS.

The main thrust of the Clinton
Foundation is also to work in collaboration
with other agencies such as the University
of the West Indies CHART Programme, to
offer affordable Anti-Retroviral Drugs
(ARV) to countries, so that they in turn
can offer these to persons living with
HIV/AIDS.

At present there are 36 persons
who are receiving the anti-retroviral drugs
from this control care, support and
treatment programme in Antigua and
Barbuda.


AIDS Programme Manager Mrs.
Janet Weston in her report announced that
23 new cases of HIV positives were
recorded between January and September
2004.

Mrs. Weston also spoke of the HIV
Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT)
Sites that have been set up at several
Health Centres. The centres offering the
service are All Saints, Clare Hall, Browne's
Avenue, St. John's, and Johnson's Point
Health Centres. The Voluntary Counselling
and Testing can also be done at the AIDS
Secretariat and the Antigua Planned
Parenthood Association (APPA).

From 1985 to September 2004
there were 478 reported cases of HIV in
Antigua and Barbuda. Of this total 131
persons have since died of AIDS related
illnesses. There were 92 males and 39
females.


Dialysis Unit at Holberton
gets new equipment

The Medical Benefits Scheme has
purchased a new Dialysis Machine and a
Reverse Osmosis Plant for the Dialysis Unit
at the Holberton Hospital in order to
increase its capacity.

At present, there are four dialysis
machines at the Unit. The first three
machines were donated by the Chairman of
the Stanford Group Mr. R. Allen Stanford,
when the Unit was established in July, 1997.
The other machine was donated by a well
known Antiguan businessman Mr. George
John.

Dialysis treatment is for patients
with end-stage renal disease/kidney failure,
which is mainly caused by uncontrolled
hypertension and diabetes

The Dialysis Unit currently
accommodates 22 patients three times per


week with each person receiving
dialysis treatment for an average of
three and a half hours per session.

A Senior Health Official
revealed that dialysis treatment is very
costly. The Health Official explained
that for one person per year it costs
EC$63,434.00 in consumables only.
These include needles, dialysis fluids
and other medication. That amount
does not include costs for the
maintenance of the Unit's equipment,
machines, staffing and other
expenditures.

In the meantime, the Dialysis
Unit will be undergoing renovation work
shortly.

This was announced by the
Hospital Administrator, Mr. Gary
Thomas, who also said that the
estimated cost for the renovation work
to be carried out by the Holberton
Restoration Committee, is
EC$28,000.00.

Mr. Thomas said that so far
EC$20,000.00 has been collected for
the project from two civic minded non-
profit organizations.

He said the Antigua and
Barbuda Renal Society has donated
EC$10,000.00 towards the
improvement of the dialysis unit.

The other $10,000.00 was
raised from guests' donations at Dr R.
A Walwyn and Mrs Myra Walwyn 50th
Wedding Anniversary celebration and
presented to the Society of Friends of
the Holberton Hospital which donated
the funds to assist with the upgrade of
the Renal Dialysis Unit at the Hospital.


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IuN 9 Frr2


Hospital Administrator Gary
Thomas lauded both organizations for
their contributions and encouraged the
general public to fully support the Antigua
and Barbuda Renal Society and the
Society of Friends of the Holberton
Hospital in their future fund-raising efforts.

The Society of Friends of the
Holberton Hospital has been associated
with Holberton for many years and
continues to make immeasurable
contributions to the institution from its
fund raising efforts.





Antigua and Barbuda
strengthens ties
with Mexico

Relations between Antigua and
Barbuda and Mexico were further
strengthened when Her Excellency Mrs.
Luz Elena Bueno presented her
credentials to Governor General Sir
James B. Carlisle on 14th February .

In presenting her credentials,
Ambassador Bueno assured the
Governor General of the high regard in
which her country holds Antigua and
Barbuda and expressed the desire to
develop a formal mechanism for
cooperation between the two countries.

Prior to her visit to Government
House, Ambassador Bueno paid a
courtesy call on Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs Baldwin
Spencer. The Prime Minister took the
opportunity to express appreciation for
Mexico's recent donation of twenty-six
scholarships to the people of Antigua and
Barbuda

PM Spencer also expressed his
admiration for President Vicente Fox's


administration and his accomplishments
since coming to office in 2000. The Prime
Minister alluded to the similarities between
the two countries in that like his UPP
administration President Fox came to
office after waging a campaign against
corruption and pledging to dismantle the
existing bureaucratic structure which he
described as corrupt and inefficient.

In response Ambassador Bueno
acknowledged the accomplishments of the
new UPP administration and the challenges
that it was encountering in executing the
necessary changes. She again invited the
Prime Minister to call on her country for
technical assistance whenever and
wherever necessary.

While in Antigua the Mexican
Ambassador also met Senior Ambassador
Sir Ramez Hadeed and her counterpart
Ambassador Joan H. Underwood. During
that meeting Ambassador Bueno presented
an outline of Mexico's programme of
cooperation for development and
communicated her country's commitment to
fast tracking a programme of assistance for
Antigua. Ambassador Underwood has been


tasked with following through on this
initiative.

Ambassador Bueno's visit
was followed closely by the arrival of a
Mexican technical team which
collaborated with the Ministries of
Education and Foreign Affairs and
selected the twenty-six students who
will shortly take up the scholarships in
Mexico.



EDUCATION


Government to
establish Antigua and
Barbuda Institute of
Continuing Studies

The Government of Antigua
and Barbuda, through the Ministry of
Education, will later this year establish
the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of
Continuing Studies (ABICS).


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Prime Mi.ster /ene r anm m/basMador Biiemo n'it A n~masi orj aH Unter'tmo
and Sr. A r/wsaor Rainez Haded








I F r


Coordinator of Technical Studies
in the Ministry of Education Reginald
Peterson said the initiative will allow
interested persons to attain the skills
necessary to make themselves more
marketable throughout the world.

Mr. Peterson, who was at the
time attending the Board of Education
Exhibition of Works at the Multi-Purpose
Centre, made it clear that the Antigua and
Barbuda Institute of Continuing Studies
(ABICS) will be established to facilitate
the ongoing education and training of
nationals and other residents. This
programme is expected to commence in
September and will offer a wide variety of
courses.

Mr. Peterson said that ultimately
the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of
Continuing Studies expects to move on to
offering first degree studies.


Minister of Education says
Finance and General
Purposes Committee
meeting a success

At a recent Finance and General
Purposes Committee meeting in Jamaica,
Minister of Education Bertrand Joseph
said the most important report was that of
the UWI Task Force on the Liberalization
of Higher Education and its impact on the
UWI and Tertiary Education in the region.

The report which was prepared
by Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Principal of
Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, Hilary
Beckles, looks at the question of higher
education in the Caribbean, in the context
of the General Agreement on Trade in
Services (GATS) and the World Trade
Organization (WTO). The report also
calls for the harmonization of
Governments approach in dealing with
the delivery of educational services by
UWI.


Challenges were also looked at
and the whole aspect of higher education
institutions invading the Caribbean or
UWI's space. Out of this, regional
governments were urged to not only
agree on a regional approach like the
WTO negotiations, but also national
strategies that will take the UWI into
account as the regional university, and a
partner to national tertiary institutions.




Antigua and Barbuda
deposits CCJ Instruments
with CARICOM Secretariat

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer
has deposited Antigua and Barbuda's
Instruments of Accession and Ratification
of the Caribbean Court of Justice with the
CARICOM Secretariat.

As part of the process towards
the full implementation of the Caribbean
Court of Justice CCJ, countries within
CARICOM must deposit various
instruments pertaining to the body passed
in their respective Houses of Parliament,
to bring the agreement establishing the
CCJ into force.

While in Suriname for the 16th
Inter-Sessional Meeting of Heads of the
Conference of the Caribbean Community
Prime Minister Spencer presented to the
Chairman and Secretary General of
CARICOM President Runaldo Ronald
Venetiaan and Dr. Edwin Carrington, the
following instruments of Accession and
Ratification:

Revised Agreement establishing the
CCJ Trust Fund

-Protocol on the status, privileges and
immunities of the CCJ and the Regional
Judicial and Legal Service Commission

- Agreement Establishing the CCJ


Prime Minister Spencer presenting t(!e
Instruments to Presibent Venetixan.
Amnassabor Co(in MN.rNoc (eft) and Dr
Eb~lin Carrington witnessed the event

- Protocol to the agreement establishing
the CCJ relating to the Juridical
Personality and Legal Capacity of the
court.

Antigua and Barbuda has only
signed on to the CCJ in its Original
Jurisdiction, with a referendum and two-
thirds majority in the House of
Representatives needed for the country
to adopt the court in its Appellate
Jurisdiction.

In the exercise of its original
jurisdiction, the CCJ will be discharging
the functions of an international tribunal
applying rules of international law in
respect of the interpretation and
application of the Treaty. In this regard,
the CCJ would be performing functions
like the European Court of Justice, the
European Court of First Instance, the
Andean Court of Justice and the
International Court of Justice. In short, the
proposed CCJ is intended to be a hybrid
institution a municipal court of last resort
and an international court with
compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction in
respect of the interpretation and
application of the Treaty.


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Isu No9 Fbury20


BARBUDA
Barbuda gets Reverse
Osmosis Plant

On the 21st February Prime
Minister Baldwin Spencer commissioned
a Reverse Osmosis Plant in Barbuda
allowing the residents to have pipe-borne
water for the first time.

In addressing the gathering the
Prime Minister said that it is
incomprehensible that to this day, in the
sixth year of the 21st century, Barbuda,
just 20 miles away from Antigua, has been
left without pipe-borne water. He noted
that since coming into office his
administration has developed a new
relationship with the people of Barbuda
and that relationship has so far produced
benefits for the people of the island.

"The Commonwealth Review
team reported that Barbudans had
confirmed a vastly improved relationship
between Barbuda and Antigua. There is
an abundance of evidence that insofar as
Barbuda is concerned, my administration
is manifestly living up to the United
Progressive Party's Motto: People first.
This water treatment plant is a striking
example. In our Agenda for Change we


promised that this
water treatment plant
would be a high
priority. We made it a
high priority. From
today, with the United
Progressive Party
Less than a year in
office, Barbudans
have their own water
treatment plant," the
Prime Minister noted.

Prime Minster
Spencer said that with
the UPP
Administration it is a
S win-win situation for
the people of Antigua
and Barbuda. He pointed out that in less
than one year of his administration, it has
been proven that his government is about
performance. "My administration is all about


performance. That is why the material
is here for the road construction
programme which is about to begin in
Barbuda. The United Progressive
Party Administration is all about
performance. That is why we have
sourced funds for a new Secondary
School for Barbuda, which will open for
the new school year. My Administration
is performance driven. That is why
Cabinet has approved the funds for a
Barbuda Justice Complex. The
Barbuda Justice Complex will
accommodate a Magistrate's Court, a
Police Station and Police Quarters. We
promised you a better Barbuda. We
are giving you what it takes to make
Barbuda better," he concluded

The Reverse Osmosis Plant
has the capacity to produce over
20,000 gallons of water per day.


Fiennes Institute receives gifts
from Antiguan national
living in the UK

Mrs Debbie Matthias, in collaboration with Ms. Olivette Browne and
Rams' Shipping, recently donated much needed gifts to the Fiennes Institute in
Antigua and Barbuda.

Mrs Matthias outlined that she was informed by Ms. Browne that the
Carlisle Home in Ricksmansworth was about to close and that the beds and
furniture would be discarded. Knowing that the Fiennes Institute could make
good use of these items, she and her husband John journeyed to the Home to
ascertain that the beds and furniture were worth sending home. In all, she
received nine zimmer frames, ten single beds with base and a box of disposable
commodes and urinals. These were shipped, free of charge, to Antigua and
Barbuda by Rams' Shipping.

In a letter dated 4th February, 2005 to Mrs Matthias, the Master of the
Fiennes Institute offered utmost thanks to her and all her colleagues for the
generous gift package. "Words" he said, "will not be enough to express our
appreciation but can assure you that your efforts will not go in vain". He
promised her that the items "will go a long way in caring for the elderly."

For her part, she is extremely grateful to Ms. Olivette Browne and family,
the Hornsey Moravian Church, her husband John and Rams' Shipping for all
their assistance and hard work.


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I F r


I/1 P'e 'r S r /d i f ri


Antigua and Barbuda and
Chile move to closer
cooperation

Prime Minister of Antigua and
Barbuda Baldwin Spencer and President
of Chile Ricardo Lagos Escobar have
pledged to deepen bilateral relations
between both countries.

Prime Minister Spencer and
President Lagos while in Georgetown,
Guyana for the opening of the CARICOM
Secretariat Headquarters, held high level
discussions on a number of areas of
cooperation.

During the discussions, Prime
Minister Spencer informed President
Lagos that it was very significant that he
had journeyed to Guyana to participate in
the ceremonial launching of the
CARICOM Secretariat, which was a
symbol of Caribbean unity.

President Lagos said that what
CARICOM had accomplished was very
significant and extended an invitation to


Prime Minister Spencer to make an official
visit to Chile.

On matters of cooperation,
President Lagos indicated that the Chilean
candidacy for the Secretary General of the
Organisation of American States OAS was
a national candidacy, supported by all
political parties in Chile. Prime Minister
Spencer and his CARICOM colleagues
addressed the issue during the Inter-
sessional Meeting last week in Suriname.

Antigua and Barbuda and Chile in
January of this year commenced
discussions on ways of collaborating in the
areas of Agriculture and language training.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer initiated the
discussion last June while attending the
European Union-Latin America and the
Caribbean Summit in Mexico. Since then
Antigua and Barbuda has submitted five
project proposals for consideration by the
Chileans. Based on the preliminary review
of these proposals, both countries are
optimistic that a mutually beneficial system
of technical cooperation can be
implemented within the short-term.


Ministry of Tourism hosts
Trade in Tourism Services
Workshop

As the Caribbean States
approach imminent deadlines in a
number of global trade negotiations
including the World Trade
Organisation/General Agreement on
Trade in Services (WTO/GATS), the
African, Caribbean, Pacific/European
Union (ACP/EU) negotiations for
Economic Partnership Agreements
(EPAs) and the Free Trade Area of the
Americas (FTAA), it is critical that
tourism stakeholders in both the private
sector and the Government are fully
aware of the impact such economic
arrangements will have on the tourism
industry.

The Ministry of Tourism and
Civil Aviation sought the assistance of
the Caribbean Tourism Organisation in
conducting a two-day workshop to
enlighten participants on the
implications for Caribbean tourism of
these regional trade agreements.

On 14th February the
workshop commenced with top
Government officials in trade, tourism
and foreign affairs, as well as
managers of major hotels and tourism
attractions at the Antigua and Barbuda
Hospitality Training Institute.

Minister of Tourism, Harold
Lovell, who spearheaded the effort to
stage this workshop in Antigua, said
that the exercise helped to create an
informed partnership of public and
private sector stakeholders with a
sound knowledge of the language and
issues relating to trade in tourism
services. "Of most importance is that
Antiguans and Barbudans are better
equipped to function and do business
in the liberalised global economy."


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Isu No9 Fbury20


Lorraine Headley, Coordinator of
the workshop indicated that interest in the
workshop had been immense. The
seminar was facilitated by Mr. Lawrence
Placide, Director of the International Trade
Negotiations Unit of the Trinidad &
Tobago Chamber of Industry and
Commerce, and Jan Yves Remy, Services
Analyst of the Caribbean Regional
Negotiating Machinery.


Port Charge not responsible
for recent state of Cruise
Affairs!

The $2.50 port charge which was
recently the focus of much debate as it
related to the future of Antigua and
Barbuda's Cruise Tourism Industry,
cannot be blamed for the present state of
affairs, when scrutinizing the "Summer
Fall" Cruise phenomenon.

This was signaled by Tourism
Minister Harold Lovell during a recently
held press conference to relay information
on his most recent mission to Miami,
Florida to speak with officials of the FCCA
(Florida Caribbean Cruise Association).
The Minister noted that this suggestion
has been "thrown out of the ring" of
possible initiatives geared towards
boosting profits in the Cruise Sector.

Minister Lovell backed by other
partners within the Cruise Tourism Sector
revealed the details of the phenomenon,
such as "an ever increasing number of
cruise liners are now departing from US
mainland ports instead of the
more traditional San Juan
departure (this taking the
vessels out of the region)".
As a result of this trend
during the summer months,
cruise vessels are now
migrating to the
Mediterranean area and
even Alaska.


This could be attributed to a
number of factors ranging from the merger
or "buy-out" of various cruise lines by a
single entity because of bankruptcy or
other such economic trends, to current
market situations and the demand for
specific destinations, varying definitively
from season to season.

As may have been recently
implied, the $2.50 Port Charge IS NOT a
factor that contributes to this phenomenon.

According to Cameron Frazier,
Director of Antigua Pier Group Ltd,
(another cruise sector partner), by the end
of Sea-trade 2004 to be held in March,
precise announcements will be made with
regard to the success of efforts to lobby
more vessels to make the eastern
Caribbean their area of call during the
summer months. Already one vessel has
been secured to make calls to Antigua
during this period.

Tourism Minister Lovell pointed
out that "the Eastern Caribbean has to
address the problem collectively...the
idea now is to work with the Cruise lines to
arrange long term agreements for long
term growth."

Antigua and Barbuda's Cruise
Tourism Industry has recorded extra-
ordinary growth for the year 2004, with
approximately 522,743 passengers
arriving on island. This is the impetus for
the major efforts being embarked upon by
the Tourism Ministry in negotiating for
additional cruise ship visits during peak
periods and off-seasons geared towards
surpassing this mark in 2005.


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15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT
Tel: 020 7486 7073 Fax: 020 7486 9970


hlip. ,, .iiiyi.i.,-barbuda.com


- -
-11

PAGE 1

15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT http://www.antigua-barbuda.com ISSUE No.96 February 2005 Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 Inside • Finance Minister leads delegation to the WTO hearing of the US appeal on Internet Gaming case (page 2 to 3) • Dialysis Unit at Holberton gets new equipment (page 5 to 6) • Antigua and Barbuda deposits CCJ Instruments with CARICOM Secretariat (page 7) • Barbuda gets Reverse Osmosis Plant (page 8) Digital Photos by Maurice F. Merchant

PAGE 2

Greetings! The Disputes Panel of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled last year that U.S. financial regulations, preventing transactions between U.S. financial institutions and Antiguanbased Internet gambling companies, were in breach of obligations of the U.S. under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Within 45 days, the Appellate Body of the WTO will again decide whether Antigua and Barbuda can keep engaging in Internet gaming legally or whether the United States would have to change its laws to allow this method of gambling. As a member of the delegation to the February 21-22 hearing by the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization regarding the Internet Gaming case I must say that we are optimistic about the outcome. Finance Minister, Dr Errol Cort, who headed the delegation and under whose Ministry the Directorate of Offshore Gaming falls said “If the Panel rules in favour of Antigua and Barbuda it would set legal precedence in a number of areas as it pertains to the future of Internet gaming worldwide.” Along with the European Union, Japan and Mexico, support has also come from the CARICOM countries. At the CARICOM Heads of Government Summit in Suriname on February 17 18 CARICOM Heads of Government supported Antigua and Barbuda in its dispute with the United States at the World Trade Organisation WTO on the matter of Internet Gaming. Following an intervention by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, Heads issued a resolution supporting the merits of the case outlining that it holds implications for the provision of services across borders by CARICOM Member States, and all members of the WTO. During his intervention, Prime Minister Spencer stated that the laws the United States passed were designed to stop the delivery of cross-border betting and gambling services from Antigua and Barbuda into the USA, in violation of the US commitment under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). He noted that it caused several betting companies in Antigua and Barbuda to close, created unemployment among the country’s highly-trained young people, and lost the economy tens of millions of dollars per annum. He also pointed out that following Antigua and Barbuda’s success in the matter before the WTO, his government made efforts to settle the matter with the USA amicably, but this was treated by the US very casually. In its resolution, CARICOM Heads stated that the case was a pioneering one and was instructive in many ways on how small states could defend their rights in the WTO. Dr Carl Roberts High Commissioner

PAGE 3

1 Ministers negotiate additional 1% bonus for port workers On the 3rd February, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works, Communications and the Environment Wilmoth Daniel and Labour, Public Administration and Empowerment Minister Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro resolved a long standing dispute between port workers and the Board of Commissioners over an additional 1% incentive bonus. The workers threatened to take industrial action if they were not paid the usual 5% incentive bonus. The Board of Commissioners over the Christmas holidays paid the workers a 4% bonus, which it says was due to the financial constraints the port was facing. Both Ministers met the Board of Commissioners of the Port and issued the following joint statement on the outcome of the meeting: “ Two Ministries have come together to reach an amicable settlement of the dispute over the additional 1% incentive bonus to be paid to Port workers. At a joint meeting with Minister responsible for the Port, Wilmoth Daniel, Labour Minister, Dr. Jacqui QuinnLeandro and the Board of Commissioners of the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority, the concerns of the Government, the Board of Commissioners and the Unions were considered. At the meeting, the Board outlined certain anomalies and irregularities at the Port which required their urgent attention and action. Chief of these is that the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority is presently undergoing serious financial difficulties inherited from years of mal-administration of the Port operations. These have led to the inability of the Port to pay the annual incentive bonus. A number of pressing economic problems forced the Board of Commissioners and Port Management to take the decision to pay 4% instead of the 5% demanded by the Unions. These include: a) A large outlay of over $3.7 million for compliance with the ISPS Security Code and related equipment replacement. b) Indebtedness to the Port by shipping agents and other companies as well as large outstanding collectibles; c) An inherited indebtedness for the Port building and infrastructure dating back to 23 years, which the previous government did not pay. d) Other pressing capital expenditures including the current breakdown of the tugs. It was agreed that the Board of Commissioners was not wrong in its interpretation and application of the Unions’ collective agreements. Both the Ministers were of the view that any industrial action by the workers would be illegal. This, notwithstanding, the Ministers decided that they ought to yield to the Unions’ request to pay the workers the additional 1%. The Labour Minister indicated her willingness to continue the dialogue with the Board, Port Management and the Unions to assess the manner in which incentive bonuses are granted with a view towards basing future bonuses on the profitability of the Port as articulated in a 2000 Industrial Court Award and the productivity of workers. Both Ministers expressed their pride, faith and confidence in the Board of Commissioners of the Port and anticipated a continued cordial working relationship. Government moves to establish Integrated Financial Management Information Systems The government is closer to enhancing its fiscal management with the arrival of 150 computer systems to be used in the Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (IFMIS). In announcing the arrival of the computers, Finance Minister Dr. Errol Cort said, “Indeed, any fiscally prudent government must make an investment in the development of the governance infrastructure, necessary to support fiscal management. “We must ensure accountability for the processing and reporting of government's operational budget, and we must re-establish policy credibility, as essential conditions for private sector led growth." Dr. Cort said the computers were yet another milestone in the development of a modern and transparent Financial Management System. “I acknowledge the receipt of these 150 computer systems which will be allocated to all ministries throughout the public sector in an effort to facilitate the implementation of the FreeBalance Accounting System." The Finance Minister advised that the first phase of deployment would be distributed within the accounts sections of the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Finance, Treasury Division, Audit Department and the Public Works Department. He said it was through a strong partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada that the government was 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com Issue No. 96 February 2005

PAGE 4

2 able to negotiate the pricing and support relationship with Dell for the systems. “For this, we extend our heartfelt and deepest gratitude to Eileen Murraine, Manager, Royal Bank of Canada and Ross McDonald, Senior Vice President of Royal Bank of Canada, Bahamas and the Caribbean. “The success of this endeavour is what can be achieved when both the Public and Private Sectors work together,” he concluded. Ms. Murraine said that her establishment was delighted to assist the government in this venture and will be willing to come forward once again to assist future beneficial causes that will facilitate the effective functioning of government. The computers were bought from Dell USA at a cost of $169,000. Minister leads delegation to the WTO hearing of the US appeal on Internet gaming case Minister of Finance and the Economy, Dr. Errol Cort, led Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation to the February 21-22 hearing by the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization of an appeal by the United States against the findings of the WTO Panel, which ruled in favour of Antigua and Barbuda in the now famous “Internet gaming case.” On Monday 21st February, Minister Cort presented a 21-page document to the Appellate Body outlining Antigua and Barbuda’s case. Dr. Cort in reiterating Antigua and Barbuda’s position in the Internet Gaming Dispute stressed that “Antigua has not brought this case on behalf of the global Internet gambling industry. Further, Antigua has always taken the position that gambling services should be properly regulated”. “We believe that any resolution to this dispute will see our two countries developing a scheme reasonably acceptable to both of us that allows Antiguan operators fair competitive access to consumers in the United States. Although the United States is not ready to negotiate with Antigua at this time, we are hopeful that upon Antigua prevailing in this appeal, the United States will consider constructive engagement with us to achieve a speedy and comprehensive solution,” the Finance Minister said. Opening statements were also presented by some of the third party participants to include, the European Community, Japan and Mexico. Following the opening statements, the Appellate Body proceeded to ask the teams from Antigua and Barbuda and the US a series of questions which continued on the 22nd February. According to Dr. Cort, most of the questions centred around the countries’ interpretation of the GATS rules particularly Articles 14 & 16. The Panel has reserved ruling and will issue a written decision within 45 days to Antigua and Barbuda and the United States. Dr. Cort said he was satisfied with the level of argument presented by the legal team which was headed by Attorney-at-Law Mr. Mark Mendel. To this end, he says that he is cautiously optimistic since there are a number of issues that the Appellate Body will have to consider thus, making it a very complex case. 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com Issue No. 96 February 2005

PAGE 5

3 In addition to the Minister, the delegation to the oral hearing included Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the WTO, H.E. Dr. John W. Ashe; the Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO, H.E. Dr. Carl Roberts; Director of Gaming, Mrs Kaye Mc Donald and a legal team headed by Attorney-at-Law, Mark Mendel. Former President of El Salvador visits Prime Minister Spencer On 10th February the former President of El Salvador and candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States OAS Francisco Flores paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer. President Flores was on a tour of the region seeking support for his candidacy. During his discussion with Prime Minister Spencer he outlined his background and the accomplishments of his administration while he was the President of El Salvador. He said that if chosen for the position of SecretaryGeneral of the OAS he will bring the Organisation closer to the Heads of State of the hemisphere and in service of their agenda. President Flores also congratulated Prime Minister Spencer on the accomplishments so far of his administration, outlining that his government has already projected to the international community that the business of running government has changed in the interest of the people. Prime Minister Spencer laid out Antigua and Barbuda’s vision for the OAS and the kind of support that CARICOM member states would be looking for in any candidate for the leadership of the OAS. President Flores is among three candidates seeking the position of Secretary General of the OAS. His Excellency Jose Miguel Insulza, Minister of the Interior of Chile and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and His Excellency Luis Ernesto Derbez, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico are the other two candidates. Increased cost of gasoline and diesel to be absorbed by Government The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is to absorb the increased cost of gasoline and diesel in the country. This proposal resulted from the increase in gasoline purchased by West Indies Oil Company, the sole provider of fuel in the country, by 99 cents per gallon and diesel by 70 cents per gallon. If these increases were passed on to the consumer, the retail price of gasoline would increase to $9.20 and diesel to $9.01. Currently consumers pay $8.21 for gasoline and $8.31 for diesel per gallon at the pumps. The absorbing of the increases is expected to cost the Government an estimated sum of one million dollars over the one month period of the consumption of this batch of products. Although the initiative will put a strain on the Government, the Ministry of Finance and Economy says they have reviewed the total economic situation and decided to bear the loss of revenue and absorb the increase at this juncture. However, the government said it will not be in a position to absorb further increases should petroleum prices continue to rise in the immediate future. HEALTH CAREC to assist in developing National Cervical Cancer Policy for Antigua and Barbuda. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) has formed a Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Committee to develop a National Cervical Cancer Policy for Antigua and Barbuda. The policy will facilitate the coordination, standardization and management of the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Programme in Antigua and Barbuda. The main goal for such a programme is to reduce morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer.  Coordinator of the programme, Superintendent of Public Health Nurses, Mrs. Lindley Richardson disclosed that the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Programme will target females 20-50 years and 60 years and over. Mrs. Richardson is encouraging women in Antigua and Barbuda to get their Pap smear screening done to detect any abnormal cancer cells, so that it can be treated in 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com Issue No. 96 February 2005

PAGE 6

4 its early stages. Pap smear screenings are presently being provided by the Clare Hall, All Saints, Browne's Avenue and Gray's Farm Health Centres. The mandate of CAREC is to have the National Cervical Cancer Programme well organized and established by the year 2007. Health care provision to be improved within Health Institutions The Ministry of Health has established a flexi-work programme for nurses interested in working sessions at Holberton Hospital, Mental Hospital and Fiennes' Institute. This initiative is in keeping with a series of actions taken by the Ministry to alleviate the nursing shortage currently being experienced by the institutions. Clients and patients who access services at the institutions are expected to reap immediate benefits from this programme. To facilitate the new programme, the Ministry of Health has invited locally registered nurses in the private sector, clinics and nurses currently employed at Holberton Hospital, Mental Hospital and Fiennes' Institute to register at the Nursing Administration Office at Holberton Hospital, or with the Superintendent of Public Health Nurse within the Central Board of Health. Government negotiates with Stanford Group on Mount St. John Medical Centre Project   On the 9th February, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda commenced a series of meetings with the Stanford Group to discuss issues relating to the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre. Health Minister John Maginley convened the meeting with a team from the Stanford Financial Group lead by its Chief Financial Officer Mr. Jim Davis to discuss the future development of the medical centre and establish new loan arrangements. During the discussion three areas were identified for negotiations. The Stanford Group will continue to work with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health to produce a project document to assist in finding a partner to operate Mount St John’s Medical Centre    Debts owing to Medical Benefit Scheme for the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre. Finding a source of revenue to assist in the redevelopment of Holberton Hospital. The Health Minister said that he will continue to hold discussions with the Stanford Financial Group, health officials and the Ministry of Finance regarding these three areas. Earlier this year Prime Minister Spencer announced his intention of authorizing the Minister of Health to commence discussions with the Stanford Financial group, in an effort to reduce the monies owed to the group so that the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre can become operational. Holberton Hospital surroundings getting facelift A project aimed at beautifying the surroundings of Holberton Hospital has started. Health officials along with the Hospital Administrator Gary Thomas and the Health Minister's Advisor, Basil Stuart, toured the institution recently to observe the commencement of the project. Mr. Stuart said the project which includes the painting of the Causality Department, trimming of the trees and repair work on the bathrooms will uplift the appearance of the health institution. In addition, a survey is being conducted on the property to update the drawings of the Holberton Hospital and the Fiennes Institute. The survey will also assist the design process for the complete rehabilitation of Holberton Hospital and the Fiennes Institute. The next project in the pipeline for Holberton Hospital will be the construction of a new laundry room in the proximity of the maternity ward. 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com Issue No. 96 February 2005

PAGE 7

5 Clinton Foundation continues support of Antigua and Barbuda's fight against HIV/AIDS Antigua and Barbuda will continue to receive technical assistance from the Clinton Foundation in collaboration with the Harvard Medical School. This was the indication given by the two-member team Dr. Christina Kim and Lisa Hirschhorn, who were recently in Antigua conducting an OECS Regional Coordinating Mechanism Assessment on the HIV/AIDS Care, Support and Treatment Programme. During the meeting with Health personnel which included the Clinical Care Team and members of the AIDS Secretariat, a number of areas were highlighted, so as to get a better understanding as to how the care, support and treatment programme is being executed. These included the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their challenges, pregnant women who are HIV positive, medication, counselling, home base visits and the training of pharmacists, doctors and other health personnel who have direct management with Persons Living With HIV/AIDS. The main thrust of the Clinton Foundation is also to work in collaboration with other agencies such as the University of the West Indies CHART Programme, to offer affordable Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARV) to countries, so that they in turn can offer these to persons living with HIV/AIDS. At present there are 36 persons who are receiving the anti-retroviral drugs from this control care, support and treatment programme in Antigua and Barbuda.   AIDS Programme Manager Mrs. Janet Weston in her report announced that 23 new cases of HIV positives were recorded between January and September 2004. Mrs. Weston also spoke of the HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Sites that have been set up at several Health Centres. The centres offering the service are All Saints, Clare Hall, Browne's Avenue, St. John's, and Johnson's Point Health Centres. The Voluntary Counselling and Testing can also be done at the AIDS Secretariat and the Antigua Planned Parenthood Association (APPA). From 1985 to September 2004 there were 478 reported cases of HIV in Antigua and Barbuda. Of this total 131 persons have since died of AIDS related illnesses. There were 92 males and 39 females. Dialysis Unit at Holberton gets new equipment The Medical Benefits Scheme has purchased a new Dialysis Machine and a Reverse Osmosis Plant for the Dialysis Unit at the Holberton Hospital in order to increase its capacity. At present, there are four dialysis machines at the Unit. The first three machines were donated by the Chairman of the Stanford Group Mr. R. Allen Stanford, when the Unit was established in July, 1997. The other machine was donated by a well known Antiguan businessman Mr. George John. Dialysis treatment is for patients with end-stage renal disease/kidney failure, which is mainly caused by uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes The Dialysis Unit currently accommodates 22 patients three times per week with each person receiving dialysis treatment for an average of three and a half hours per session. A Senior Health Official revealed that dialysis treatment is very costly. The Health Official explained that for one person per year it costs EC$63,434.00 in consumables only. These include needles, dialysis fluids and other medication. That amount does not include costs for the maintenance of the Unit's equipment, machines, staffing and other expenditures. In the meantime, the Dialysis Unit will be undergoing renovation work shortly. This was announced by the Hospital Administrator, Mr. Gary Thomas, who also said that the estimated cost for the renovation work to be carried out by the Holberton Restoration Committee, is EC$28,000.00. Mr. Thomas said that so far EC$20,000.00 has been collected for the project from two civic minded nonprofit organisations. He said the Antigua and Barbuda Renal Society has donated EC$10,000.00 towards the improvement of the dialysis unit. The other $10,000.00 was raised from guests' donations at Dr R. A Walwyn and Mrs Myra Walwyn 50 th Wedding Anniversary celebration and presented to the Society of Friends of the Holberton Hospital which donated the funds to assist with the upgrade of the Renal Dialysis Unit at the Hospital. 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com Issue No. 96 February 2005

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6 Hospital Administrator Gary Thomas lauded both organisations for their contributions and encouraged the general public to fully support the Antigua and Barbuda Renal Society and the Society of Friends of the Holberton Hospital in their future fund-raising efforts. The Society of Friends of the Holberton Hospital has been associated with Holberton for many years and continues to make immeasurable contributions to the institution from its fund raising efforts. Antigua and Barbuda strengthens ties with Mexico Relations between Antigua and Barbuda and Mexico were further strengthened when Her Excellency Mrs. Luz Elena Bueno presented her credentials to Governor General Sir James B. Carlisle on 14 th February . In presenting her credentials, Ambassador Bueno assured the Governor General of the high regard in which her country holds Antigua and Barbuda and expressed the desire to develop a formal mechanism for cooperation between the two countries. Prior to her visit to Government House, Ambassador Bueno paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Baldwin Spencer. The Prime Minister took the opportunity to express appreciation for Mexico’s recent donation of twenty-six scholarships to the people of Antigua and Barbuda PM Spencer also expressed his admiration for President Vicente Fox’s administration and his accomplishments since coming to office in 2000. The Prime Minister alluded to the similarities between the two countries in that – like his UPP administration – President Fox came to office after waging a campaign against corruption and pledging to dismantle the existing bureaucratic structure which he described as corrupt and inefficient. In response Ambassador Bueno acknowledged the accomplishments of the new UPP administration and the challenges that it was encountering in executing the necessary changes. She again invited the Prime Minister to call on her country for technical assistance whenever and wherever necessary. While in Antigua the Mexican Ambassador also met Senior Ambassador Sir Ramez Hadeed and her counterpart Ambassador Joan H. Underwood. During that meeting Ambassador Bueno presented an outline of Mexico’s programme of cooperation for development and communicated her country’s commitment to fast tracking a programme of assistance for Antigua. Ambassador Underwood has been tasked with following through on this initiative. Ambassador Bueno’s visit was followed closely by the arrival of a Mexican technical team which collaborated with the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs and selected the twenty-six students who will shortly take up the scholarships in Mexico. EDUCATION Government to establish Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Studies The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, through the Ministry of Education, will later this year establish the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Studies (ABICS). 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com Issue No. 92 February 2005

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7 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com Issue No. 96 February 2005 Coordinator of Technical Studies in the Ministry of Education Reginald Peterson said the initiative will allow interested persons to attain the skills necessary to make themselves more marketable throughout the world. Mr. Peterson, who was at the time attending the Board of Education Exhibition of Works at the Multi-Purpose Centre, made it clear that the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Studies (ABICS) will be established to facilitate the ongoing education and training of nationals and other residents. This programme is expected to commence in September and will offer a wide variety of courses. Mr. Peterson said that ultimately the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Studies expects to move on to offering first degree studies. Minister of Education says Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting a success At a recent Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting in Jamaica, Minister of Education Bertrand Joseph said the most important report was that of the UWI Task Force on the Liberalization of Higher Education and its impact on the UWI and Tertiary Education in the region. The report which was prepared by Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, Hilary Beckles, looks at the question of higher education in the Caribbean, in the context of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The report also calls for the harmonization of Governments approach in dealing with the delivery of educational services by UWI. Challenges were also looked at and the whole aspect of higher education institutions invading the Caribbean or UWI’s space. Out of this, regional governments were urged to not only agree on a regional approach like the WTO negotiations, but also national strategies that will take the UWI into account as the regional university, and a partner to national tertiary institutions. Antigua and Barbuda deposits CCJ Instruments with CARICOM Secretariat Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has deposited Antigua and Barbuda’s Instruments of Accession and Ratification of the Caribbean Court of Justice with the CARICOM Secretariat. As part of the process towards the full implementation of the Caribbean Court of Justice CCJ, countries within CARICOM must deposit various instruments pertaining to the body passed in their respective Houses of Parliament, to bring the agreement establishing the CCJ into force. While in Suriname for the 16 th Inter-Sessional Meeting of Heads of the Conference of the Caribbean Community Prime Minister Spencer presented to the Chairman and Secretary General of CARICOM President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan and Dr. Edwin Carrington, the following instruments of Accession and Ratification: -    Revised Agreement establishing the CCJ Trust Fund -     Protocol on the status, privileges and immunities of the CCJ and the Regional Judicial and Legal Service Commission -    Agreement Establishing the CCJ Protocol to the agreement establishing the CCJ relating to the Juridical Personality and Legal Capacity of the court. Antigua and Barbuda has only signed on to the CCJ in its Original Jurisdiction, with a referendum and twothirds majority in the House of Representatives needed for the country to adopt the court in its Appellate Jurisdiction. In the exercise of its original jurisdiction, the CCJ will be discharging the functions of an international tribunal applying rules of international law in respect of the interpretation and application of the Treaty. In this regard, the CCJ would be performing functions like the European Court of Justice, the European Court of First Instance, the Andean Court of Justice and the International Court of Justice. In short, the proposed CCJ is intended to be a hybrid institution a municipal court of last resort and an international court with compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction in respect of the interpretation and application of the Treaty.

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8 BARBUDA Barbuda gets Reverse Osmosis Plant On the 21st February Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer commissioned a Reverse Osmosis Plant in Barbuda allowing the residents to have pipe-borne water for the first time. In addressing the gathering the Prime Minister said that it is incomprehensible that to this day, in the sixth year of the 21 st century, Barbuda, just 20 miles away from Antigua, has been left without pipe-borne water. He noted that since coming into office his administration has developed a new relationship with the people of Barbuda and that relationship has so far produced benefits for the people of the island. “The Commonwealth Review team reported that Barbudans had confirmed a vastly improved relationship between Barbuda and Antigua. There is an abundance of evidence that insofar as Barbuda is concerned, my administration is manifestly living up to the United Progressive Party’s Motto: People first. This water treatment plant is a striking example. In our Agenda for Change we promised that this water treatment plant would be a high priority. We made it a high priority. From today, with the United Progressive Party less than a year in office, Barbudans have their own water treatment plant,” the Prime Minister noted. Prime Minster Spencer said that with the UPP Administration it is a win-win situation for the people of Antigua and Barbuda. He pointed out that in less than one year of his administration, it has been proven that his government is about performance. “My administration is all about performance. That is why the material is here for the road construction programme which is about to begin in Barbuda. The United Progressive Party Administration is all about performance. That is why we have sourced funds for a new Secondary School for Barbuda, which will open for the new school year. My Administration is performance driven. That is why Cabinet has approved the funds for a Barbuda Justice Complex. The Barbuda Justice Complex will accommodate a Magistrate’s Court, a Police Station and Police Quarters. We promised you a better Barbuda. We are giving you what it takes to make Barbuda better,” he concluded The Reverse Osmosis Plant has the capacity to produce over 20,000 gallons of water per day. 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com Issue No. 96 February 2005 Fiennes Institute receives gifts from Antiguan national living in the UK Mrs Debbie Matthias, in collaboration with Ms. Olivette Browne and Rams’ Shipping, recently donated much needed gifts to the Fiennes Institute in Antigua and Barbuda. Mrs Matthias outlined that she was informed by Ms. Browne that the Carlisle Home in Ricksmansworth was about to close and that the beds and furniture would be discarded. Knowing that the Fiennes Institute could make good use of these items, she and her husband John journeyed to the Home to ascertain that the beds and furniture were worth sending home. In all, she received nine zimmer frames, ten single beds with base and a box of disposable commodes and urinals. These were shipped, free of charge, to Antigua and Barbuda by Rams’ Shipping. In a letter dated 4th February, 2005 to Mrs Matthias, the Master of the Fiennes Institute offered utmost thanks to her and all her colleagues for the generous gift package. “Words” he said, “will not be enough to express our appreciation but can assure you that your efforts will not go in vain”. He promised her that the items “will go a long way in caring for the elderly.” For her part, she is extremely grateful to Ms. Olivette Browne and family, the Hornsey Moravian Church, her husband John and Rams’ Shipping for all their assistance and hard work.

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9 Antigua and Barbuda and Chile move to closer cooperation Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Baldwin Spencer and President of Chile Ricardo Lagos Escobar have pledged to deepen bilateral relations between both countries. Prime Minister Spencer and President Lagos while in Georgetown, Guyana for the opening of the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters, held high level discussions on a number of areas of cooperation. During the discussions, Prime Minister Spencer informed President Lagos that it was very significant that he had journeyed to Guyana to participate in the ceremonial launching of the CARICOM Secretariat, which was a symbol of Caribbean unity. President Lagos said that what CARICOM had accomplished was very significant and extended an invitation to Prime Minister Spencer to make an official visit to Chile. On matters of cooperation, President Lagos indicated that the Chilean candidacy for the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States OAS was a national candidacy, supported by all political parties in Chile. Prime Minister Spencer and his CARICOM colleagues addressed the issue during the Intersessional Meeting last week in Suriname. Antigua and Barbuda and Chile in January of this year commenced discussions on ways of collaborating in the areas of Agriculture and language training. Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer initiated the discussion last June while attending the European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean Summit in Mexico. Since then Antigua and Barbuda has submitted five project proposals for consideration by the Chileans. Based on the preliminary review of these proposals, both countries are optimistic that a mutually beneficial system of technical cooperation can be implemented within the short-term. Ministry of Tourism hosts Trade in Tourism Services Workshop As the Caribbean States approach imminent deadlines in a number of global trade negotiations including the World Trade Organisation/General Agreement on Trade in Services (WTO/GATS), the African, Caribbean, Pacific/European Union (ACP/EU) negotiations for Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), it is critical that tourism stakeholders in both the private sector and the Government are fully aware of the impact such economic arrangements will have on the tourism industry. The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation sought the assistance of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation in conducting a two-day workshop to enlighten participants on the implications for Caribbean tourism of these regional trade agreements. On 14 th February the workshop commenced with top Government officials in trade, tourism and foreign affairs, as well as managers of major hotels and tourism attractions at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute. Minister of Tourism, Harold Lovell, who spearheaded the effort to stage this workshop in Antigua, said that the exercise helped to create an informed partnership of public and private sector stakeholders with a sound knowledge of the language and issues relating to trade in tourism services. “Of most importance is that Antiguans and Barbudans are better equipped to function and do business in the liberalised global economy.” 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com Issue No. 96 February 2005

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10 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT Tel: 020 7486 7073 · Fax: 020 7486 9970 http://www.antigua-barbuda.com Issue No. 96 February 2005 Lorraine Headley, Coordinator of the workshop indicated that interest in the workshop had been immense. The seminar was facilitated by Mr. Lawrence Placide, Director of the International Trade Negotiations Unit of the Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and Jan Yves Remy, Services Analyst of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery. Port Charge not responsible for recent state of Cruise Affairs! The $2.50 port charge which was recently the focus of much debate as it related to the future of Antigua and Barbuda’s Cruise Tourism Industry, cannot be blamed for the present state of affairs, when scrutinizing the “Summer Fall” Cruise phenomenon. This was signaled by Tourism Minister Harold Lovell during a recently held press conference to relay information on his most recent mission to Miami, Florida to speak with officials of the FCCA (Florida Caribbean Cruise Association). The Minister noted that this suggestion has been “thrown out of the ring” of possible initiatives geared towards boosting profits in the Cruise Sector. Minister Lovell backed by other partners within the Cruise Tourism Sector revealed the details of the phenomenon, such as “an ever increasing number of cruise liners are now departing from US mainland ports instead of the more traditional San Juan departure (this taking the vessels out of the region)”. As a result of this trend during the summer months, cruise vessels are now migrating to the Mediterranean area and even Alaska. This could be attributed to a number of factors ranging from the merger or “buy-out” of various cruise lines by a single entity because of bankruptcy or other such economic trends, to current market situations and the demand for specific destinations, varying definitively from season to season. As may have been recently implied, the $2.50 Port Charge IS NOT a factor that contributes to this phenomenon. According to Cameron Frazier, Director of Antigua Pier Group Ltd, (another cruise sector partner), by the end of Sea-trade 2004 to be held in March, precise announcements will be made with regard to the success of efforts to lobby more vessels to make the eastern Caribbean their area of call during the summer months. Already one vessel has been secured to make calls to Antigua during this period. Tourism Minister Lovell pointed out that “the Eastern Caribbean has to address the problem collectively…the idea now is to work with the Cruise lines to arrange long term agreements for long term growth.” Antigua and Barbuda’s Cruise Tourism Industry has recorded extraordinary growth for the year 2004, with approximately 522,743 passengers arriving on island. This is the impetus for the major efforts being embarked upon by the Tourism Ministry in negotiating for additional cruise ship visits during peak periods and off-seasons geared towards surpassing this mark in 2005. Cruise ship in Harbour