Airport: --- Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs William Marlin who attended a two-day meeting in Curacao told reporters that all parties are looking forward to the September 30 meeting with State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Ms Ank Bijleveld-Schouten where they intend to set a definite date on achieving country status for St. Maarten and Curacao. Marlin said both island are looking at the (10/10/10) which is October 10, 2010.
Marlin said while that is the intention of the two islands they are going to make clear to the State Secretary that the agreements that are in place must be respected even though parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in January 2010.
As for the meetings in Curacao, he said is another step in the journey forward for constitutional change, which they hope, will culminate by October 2010 when St. Maarten would attain its country status.
Marlin said two presentations were made to those who attended the meetings and no decisions had to be taken at this time. One of the presentations he said relates to the possible continuation on the postal services (Poste NV) as one entity. He said an outline was given on what would happen if each country Curacao and St. Maarten were to have its own postal service independently. He said the challenges that would be experienced was outlined. Marlin said the second presentation was given by the Minister of Constitutional Affairs on the national archives of the Netherlands Antilles. Marlin said the islands also have the opportunity to have their materials stored elsewhere and St. Maarten would have to take a decision both issues. The commissioner dismissed reports that suggested that the islands had to take a decision now.
He said at the conclusion of the September meetings both islands would have a clear picture as to what would happen if the island is not ready in a particular area. He said even though both islands has been giving several scenarios it is still not clear what position the Dutch is going to take. Marlin said those are the biggest hurdles they are hoping to cross on September 30 and their sticking point would be the process must continue.
