Contacts: Zsoka McDonald, Diageo Ph: 203-229-4730
Rachel Rosenblatt, FD Ph: 212-850-5697

Bacardi, World’s Largest Recipient of Public Rum Subsidies, Leads Hidden Campaign to Drive Rum Competitor out of the United States and Destroy the Economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Bermuda-based Family Business Sees Benefit from Using a Campaign of Misinformation to Get Congress to Retroactively Overturn Historic Initiative by U.S. Virgin Islands

Bacardi Schemes to Protect Subsidies at Expense of Economic Stability for the U.S. Virgin Islands

Norwalk, CT, February 23, 2010 – Diageo North America on Tuesday released the following statement from Guy L. Smith, Executive Vice President:

An historic and innovative public-private initiative forged by the U.S. Virgin Islands that would lift the U.S. Virgin Islands’ economy out of crisis is under attack by the entrenched corporate interests of a wealthy family seeking to maintain their decades-long grip on rum subsidies.

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Diageo_Press_Release_2_23_2010_FINAL_4PM_ET.pdf

STATEMENT OF THE

ST. CROIX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION

IN SUPPORT OF

DIAGEO USVI AND THE

PROPOSED CAPTAIN MORGAN RUM DISTILLERY

March 18, 2009

Good Evening.

I am Omer ErSelcuk, chairman of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce. I would like to thank the members of the Coastal Zone Management Commission for this opportunity to express our support for this vitally important venture for St. Croix’s economic future and its citizens.

Speaking on behalf of our Board of Directors and our 325 members, the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce respectfully urges the Coastal Zone Management Commission to approve the necessary permits to enable Diageo USVI to construct and operate its planned distillery for Captain Morgan Rum in Estate Annaberg and Shannon Grove.