CARIBBEAN TODAY U.S. considers compensation for Antigua in gaming dispute ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC - The United States is consider- ing providing a compensation package to Antigua and Barbuda and other countries following Washington's deci- sion to withdraw its gaming services commitment under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Services (GATS). A statement by the Barbados-based Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) said that Sept. 22 had been the deadline for completion of compensation negotiations. "Failing these negotiations with the eight countries seek- ing compensation namely Japan, the European Union, Antigua, Costa Rica, India, Australia, Macao and Canada - by the deadline, the matter would have to be referred to arbitration. "The package offer is not likely to surpass the U.S. Doha Round revised services offer. While this package may not be considered generous compen- sation, some countries may be more inclined to work with the offer as a starting point for negotiations especially if it is 'sweetened' by other market access opportunities", the CRNM stated. It noted that in the case of Antigua "with its limited export range, there may be lit- tle room for negotiation of alternative market access con- cessions with the U.S. if this offer is rejected by Antigua. "Antigua is still within its rights under the World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Understanding to pursue compensation or trade sanctions given that, technical- ly speaking, the U.S. is still not in compliance with the WTO ruling in favor of Antigua and will continue to be in that state until compensation and or arbitration is settled regarding their removal of their GATS commitments relating to online gaming". DEMAND Antigua has already indicat- ed that it was seeking millions of dollars in compensation and it has also expressed a desire to base sanctions on the suspension of TRIPS obligations and com- munications services obligations under the GATS. However, in recent devel- opments, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has called upon the U.S. government to suspend preferences offered to Antigua under the U.S.-Caribbean Trade Partnership Agreement (CBTPA) and the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), which together are (CONTINUED ON PAGE 7) UNITED NATIONS The United Nations says while the Caribbean and Latin America have made some progress in the global fight in reducing poverty, the region still falls behind much of the world in this pursuit. The U.N. said in a state- ment that besides sub-Saharan Africa, inequality remains highest in the Caribbean and Latin America, with about 205 million people living in pover- ty. It said 79 million live in extreme poverty in which they cannot cover their basic dietary needs. "Countries of the region face some daunting challenges growing out of the region's fail- ure to make substantial inroads against poverty", stated the report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs are part of a Millennium Declaration, signed in 2000 by leaders of 189 countries, which set 2015 as the year for achieving signif- icant advances in, among other things, primary education, gen- der equality, child mortality rates and environmental sus- tainability. The report stated that the Caribbean and Latin America are not moving fast enough to reduce extreme poverty and hunger, noting that the income gap between the rich and the poor has expanded although there has been some progress in some areas. 0 Scredits peacekeepers for aiti's stability Preval credits peacekeepers for Haiti's stability UNITED NATIONS, CMC - President Rend Preval has credited the United Nations Stabilization Mission in his country (MINUSTAH) with promoting stability on his impoverished Caribbean com- munity (CARICOM) nation. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly late last month, Preval, noted that Haiti is "all too frequent- ly on the U.N.'s agenda because of its problems of insecurity and political unrest. "I am speaking on behalf of a country that somewhat hasty analysis describes as a 'failed state'," he said, noting that "Haiti is on the way to bidding farewell to that state slowly, patiently yet with determination." Preval said organized armed gangs that had wreaked violence on the population have been disman- tled and there were no longer "no-go" zones that were too dangerous to enter. He said inflation had dipped below 10 percent, while gross domestic product (GDP) is up after 10 years of decline. The Haitian leader said peace is an "essential condi- tion" that enables the coun- try's political forces to "put an end to their endless quarrels." 'TIMELY' MOVE In anticipating a one-year extension of MINUSTAH, Preval said this move would be "quite timely" and served as a reminder that gains in Preval Haiti, including victory over insecurity, the holding of democratic elections, improved governance and a strengthened judicial system, were made possible "in large part due to the efforts under- taken by the UN force in the country." The Haitian president said though his administration is "young, inexperienced and ill-equipped," it has been u