STATEMENT
BY SIR RONALD MICHAEL SANDERS
CHIEF FOREIGN AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE
OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
TO THE WORKING GROUP ON "THE SINGAPORE ISSUES"
AT THE 5TH MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION (WTO)
ON 12TH SEPTEMBER 2003
IN CANCUN, MEXICO

My country, with a population of 70,000 people, is perhaps one of the smallest member countries of the WTO.

We have very scarce resources, both human and financial.

As matters stand, in terms of the commitments that we have already made under the main agreements that underpin the work of the WTO, our limited resources make it difficult, if not impossible, to address each of them as effectively as we would wish.

Were we to take on any further negotiations at this time, particularly negotiations that would be as complex, and potentially politically and socially disruptive, as the 4 sets of Singapore Issues, we would be at an even greater disadvantage than we now are as a micro-state.

My country is currently experiencing the considerable challenges and heavy costs involved in trying to achieve justice through the dispute settlement mechanism at the WTO. We are probably the smallest country in the world to have brought a complaint to the WTO. It has taught us that greater commitments require greater clarity in relation to modalities especially in services, particularly if trade facilitation is to be enforced by binding rules and the machinery of the DSU.

Therefore, we believe we would be imprudent - if not fool hardy - in agreeing to go forward on "The Singapore Issues" unless we are fully prepared to participate in such negotiations effectively. In any event, we would need to develop and approach that is issue-specific. For a small state, such as mine, this will require more time and the devotion of resources that are now otherwise fully occupied.

My country is, therefore, strongly of the view that in the interest of fairness and balance, this Conference should agree that the work on the clarification of "The Singapore Issues" should continue, and negotiations should begin only if there is a clear manifestation of preparedness to do so by countries large and small.