Philipsburg: --- Leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot-Williams disclosed at a press conference yesterday that all four of the commissioners would be submitting their resignation to the chairman of the island council sometime today (Tuesday). In reading the resignations, it states that the resignations would only become effective as of June 8 2009.It was expected that all four of the commissioners would have been present during the press conference but that was prevented due to the central committee, which was ongoing from morning.
The leader of the Democratic Party said the reason they chose to have the effectiveness of the resignation until June 8 is that they believe three weeks would be enough for talks with the parties that are serious to form a new government in the interest of St. Maarten.
Wescot Williams said that now the resignations are in talks should now begin and no excuses are in the way.
The resignations read as follows: "To the chairman of the island and executive council, the honorable Lt. Governor F. E Richards --- Subject Resignation of Commissioner, the undersigned Sarah A Wescot Williams hereby tenders her resignation as commissioner of the island territory of St. Maarten effective June 8 2009." Wescot Williams said the other three commissioners signed a letter each to the same effect and she does not expect to hear tomorrow that what is submitted is not enough. She said that making such statement would only make visible the type of face she expects to see of the National Alliance.
Sources close the National Alliance already indicated that the talks would begin on June 8th when the resignation of the commissioners is effective. The source said the NA would not be negotiating with a government to form a government and that was made clear during the press statement last Thursday. Leader of the National Alliance has declined to make any further statements until he is notified on the resignations.
On attacking the perception that there is no government, Wescot Williams said there is a legitimate government in place even though they have lost their majority and are in a caretaker status.
She made clear that the present government would be doing what they have to do when it comes to making and taking decisions.
Wescot Williams said the post resignation of the commissioners has nothing to do with the National Alliance pre-conditions before negotiations of the next government take place. She said her faction believes that resigning would indeed be the right thing to rather than the smart one. "We have come to the conclusion to resign, because firstly we want to take away any semblance of wanting to hold on to the offices of commissioner. While we have been in deliberation on this as well as the concerns of the community and those who advised us not to resign we have decided to do the right thing over the smart thing," Wescot Williams said.
Wescot Williams said even though many feel that the smart thing to do right now is to let National Alliance call their bluff to form the government, which they have been saying they can form. "A smart thing politically is to say go ahead and form the government and we will not resign and we will see where the chips would fall." Wescot Williams explained.
She said that since the executive council has lost its majority the right thing for them to do is to resign since they believe doing so would allow the National Alliance to show their face and it would become evident to the public of St. Maarten. Wescot Williams said she had been dealing with the persons involved for a long time and she knows how the games are being played by them.
The Democratic Party leader said it would become evident in the next coming days or weeks the intentions of the National Alliance. She said she would stand by the statements she made regarding the National Alliance until proven otherwise.
Wescot Williams said she expects the demands and conditions in the talks with the National Alliance to be of such that the Democratic Party will be forced to say "thank you but no thanks if you think you have a government then you should go out and form that government.
Wescot Williams also made clear that the Democratic Party would not be taking any of this lying down since not only that they have a responsibility towards the voters but also to the population which is to offer a stable government to the island and its people.
The leader of government said that personally, she is getting a little bit tired of the amount distraction from government and governing that is currently taking place.
Referring to statements made by the Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Roland Duncan who said there are big decisions to be taken constitutionally which the present government is not doing. She said that doing the smart thing would have been to allow the NA faction and the Minister the opportunity to do all that he said that this current government is not doing.
Wescot Williams said Duncan made these justifications to say the next government should indicate their new signature and a different policy.
Wescot Williams said if that is the basis, on which the talks with the NA then they are in for a long and hot summer notwithstanding the Laveist situation she said the DP remains the largest party that was duly elected by the people of St. Maarten in 2007.
Wescot Williams said based on that fact the DP does not intend to give the NA carte blanche to put their signature and policy in place as such the discussions would take a very long time.
Asked if the Democratic Party still can muster, a majority to remain in power during those three weeks Wescot Williams said that either party could muster a majority. She said any side that gets six seats has that majority. The DP leader said that is why she stated from day one that the two parties should have made a written declaration of intent to say they are willing to work together. Having done that would have given the people the assurance that is need so that they as politicians could also take as much time needed to negotiate and work out the formation of the new government.