Our commentary;
While 'frantically' promoted by the St. Maarten Government in a sort of 'last-ditch' effort to address the growing skepticism and resentment against the real content of '10-10-10' and the so called draft- St. Maarten constitution, listening to leader of Government, Mr. William MARLIN on Sunday, last, June 27 on Lloyd RICHARDSON's 'show', the reality became very clear and in fact only confirmed what many now have come to realize for some time now.
All the nice talk and rhetoric really appears to have nothing to do with 'informing' the people, let alone involving the people, but with quite some-thing else.
Fact of the matter is, if the politicians were so sure as they pretend to be, and if everything was on 'track' and that indeed there was 'no stopping us now', knowing their arrogance, they would not be wasting their time so called 'informing' the people.
In reality, probably they know something they are not telling the people.
Something very 'ominous' come '10-10-10'.
And because, they know that this 'ominous thing' could have very serious, and explosive social consequences, once the new status has gone into effect, they will need some 'cover'.
Like an 'insurance', to cover their behinds, when 'all hell broke loose'.
Therefore, we are convinced that what they now desperately need is the BLESSING from the people in order to justify ramming the constitution through the process.
Mind you, a constitution for some 'Alice in Wonderland' Country called 'St. Maarten', of which the leaders and all their smart, and well-behaved 'technocrats' admit that they have no clue as to what and who a St. Maartener is.
Wattating !
We have said it many times before and repeat it again.
Unless any so called constitution for Country St. Maarten contains at least the following provisions, we are not interested in more information.
1. Acknowledge the history, the identity, the emancipation, of the native-indigenous St. Martin people,(WE know who they are)
2. Protect the oneness of ALL St. Martiners, North and South, as well as our traditional way of life, in keeping with and which goes above the Treaty of Concordia,
3. Protect the St. Martiners. so that regardless their numbers, they will never be eradicated.
4. Maintain the protection of the rights of Antilleans to come first on all the islands of the Antilles, to travel freely and work and reside on these islands without any restrictions as it is now.
As long as Government is not willing to consider these minimal recommendations, they should not watse our time talking nonsense of 'informing' the people.
In that case, the politicians should show that they have 'balls' and simply continue pushing THEIR constitution which is simply a declaration of loyalty to the Dutch nationality and an official declaration of betrayal of the St. Martin people and their identity
Definitely the politicians have the power to sign off on their Constitution, but so do we have the power to withhold our blessing and to invoke the wrath of our ancestors on those involved in this act of betrayal.
In ending, for the record once more.
If you visit our premises as friend, as fellow St. Martiner, by all means we welcome you.
However, any messenger of the '10-10-10-constitution', is most unwelcome, persona non-grata and comes at his/her own risk.
Leopold JAMES
And still,
Proud, native-indigenous St. Martiner, without apologies and compromise.