Willemstad: ---Councilwoman and Democratic Party Leader, Sarah Wescot-Williams has commended State Secretary Bijleveld on the bold step taken during the political meeting of June 24th 2009. After the meeting, Sarah Wescot explained that the constitutional process is not one of leaps and bounds, but one of small and sure steps. The agreement of June 24th is such a step.
The focus for this meeting was on the establishment of a date for the transition to the new country status. The outcome is not an exact date yet, but close enough. On the other hand, we had set 2 target dates before that could not be met. The State Secretary has stuck her neck out, by establishing that Sint Maarten will attain country status no later than October 31, 2010, a position that is to be commended.
In essence now, the date to become country is yet to be established, but will be no later than October 31st, 2010. Reference is made in the agreement of June 24th, 2009 to the federal election of 2010 and possible island elections in that same year. The federal election, constitutionally due at the beginning of 2010 will have to be postponed. Basically this means that the term of the Antillean parliament, which would expire at the end of March 2010 will be extended for a few months, again no later than October 31, 2010.
We are not out of the woods yet, as the approval process of St. Maarten’s compliance is yet to take place. In accordance with agreements reached in the past, this approval will take place in a conference, to be held sometime next year.
A joint technical committee will develop instruments and provisions to be applied in the event the new countries can not execute certain tasks which will be come their responsibility as a country.
This committee will report to the Political Steering Group which will meet again in late September 2009.
Councilwoman Wescot-Williams also commended the entire Sint Maarten delegation, especially the hard working advisors, some of whom have been part of this process for as long as she herself has.
