Rumors of Secret Antiguan-US Settlement Re Online Casinos
Antigua has been pursuing settlement of damages awarded it against the US by the World Trade Organization for some time now. The WTO had upheld the island nation's claim of blockage of free trade, protectionism, and violation of the General Agreement on Trade in Services, regarding the ban on foreign online casinos. US damages were set at $21 million annually.
But since then several deadlines to reach a solution have passed, with the US basically ignoring Antiguan calls to resolve the issue. Dr. Errol Cort, Antiguan Finance Minister, has spoken consistently in a conciliatory tone, asking that his people be patient with the US, and saying this fall the negotiations would probably extend into the next year.
But a recent article in the Salt Lake Tribune alleged that the US Trade Representative, Susan Schwab, had made a deal with Antigua to relieve the US of its obligations. According to the Tribune, the reason there hasn't been an announced settlement is because the administration has classified the contract as a national security issue.
The nature of a potential deal that would involve US security has caused rumors and speculation. In the Tribune article, Peter Riggs of the Forum on Democracy and Trade says he's worried that research and development issues are involved, and wants to know why a more public review isn't being forced.
At least one source is guessing US military basing on Antigua is part of the package, explaining the classification. By locating a base on the island, the US would potentially create hundreds of jobs for natives, as well as bring a solid source of cash to the country. Of course, anti-gambling moralists should also shun this alternative.
After all, the Philippines used US bases as a major prop for their economy for decades, and the results included the expansion of black market industries,such as drug-dealing, illegal gambling, and prostitution.
If the truth is that the US intends to install a military base on Antigua as repayment for online casino damages, the perhaps the Antiguans are worse off than ever. That deal seems to say that the US doesn't want the supposed corruption of the Internet gambling industry to cross its precious borders, so instead they'll send a bunch of military kids who are the age and mentality, at least off-duty, of spring breakers.
They will let Antiguans wash their clothes and cook for them and clean their messes, and when they can sneak off base they will pay to debauch Antiguan women and create a zone of immorality that will make online gambling seem like innocence. But it will happen in Antigua, not the US.
Either way, this policy is likely to only work as a stop-gap measure. Next up for the US is the European Union, and they have far greater claims, plus they already have more US military bases than they want.
