Philipsburg: ---Leader of government and commissioner of constitutional affairs William Marlin has announced that the executive council will be holding a permanent committee meeting this Thursday where they would update the island council on the ongoing constitutional process. At that meeting, the executive council intends to make clear its decision regarding the announcement for parliamentary elections. Marlin said the present coalition government would not be accepting any delay or changes to the constitutional process since there are agreements already in place. He said St. Maarten is ready to accept responsibilities and the dismantling process must continue regardless of the parliamentary elections. Even though he agreed that having such elections could delay the process since those involved in the present execution would be campaigning for re-election. Should there be any type of delay then St. Maarten could approach the Kingdom Government and United Nations (Decolonization committee) or even decide to secede as Saba has announced. Marlin said then it would be time for St. Maarten to begin lobbying in the Region to expose its plight.
Marlin said while it is constitutionally correct for the Central Government to hold parliamentary elections it should not have any bearing on the ongoing process. He said St. Maarten would not accept a situation where anyone would say that since there are parliamentary elections then they would await the outcome before they can proceed with the process. Marlin said there are agreements with the Dutch and Antillean governments including the other islands where the constitutional change and motion is in process that must be maintained. The island leader said the dismantling process is on track and must continue, and the transfer of responsibilities from the Central Government to the Islands Curacao and St. Maarten should be completed by January 2010.
Also in the agreement is that Holland would help St. Maarten with the building, the organization, and infrastructure so that the island can carry its responsibilities, which must be adhered to by all partners. Marlin said he already expressed his personal opinion on holding elections in viewing of the timing and the process of dismantling the Antilles. He said the outcome of that election should not have any effect to the ongoing process since the island would not accept any change of plan because they intend to fight tooth and nail to represent the decision of the people.
Another issue to be tackled on Thursday is the delegation that would be travelling to participate in the constitutional meetings. Marlin said since there has been a change in the island council there would also be a change in the delegation since all factions of the island council has to be represented. The intention is to make sure the independent Island Council members Theo Heyliger and Louie Laveist are represented. Also scheduled on September 15 and 16 is a preparatory meeting of the Netherlands Antilles for the political steering group meeting.
St. Maarten is not Ready Reaction.
Reacting to statements made by the Dutch parliamentarians who are constantly saying St. Maarten is not ready and they are not prepared for Country Status. Marlin said he already indicated to the Dutch Representative that instead of these politicians making statements they should sit around the table with the representatives of St. Maarten and point out the areas where they believe the island is not ready.
Marlin said he is still trying to understand what “beef” these politicians in Holland have with St. Maarten because the island could not be ready with its infrastructures because Holland has not lived up to her agreements. He said the responsibilities for the island to become country do not rest on St. Maarten’s shoulders instead; it is in the hands of the Central Government. Marlin said as long as the Central Government hold on to these responsibilities then St. Maarten cannot exercise those responsibilities. Right now, there are agreements in place to transfer those responsibilities to the island and that must be done for the island to be ready. Marlin said the Dutch Politicians has to realize and accept that St Maarten has a constitutional right to choose in which direction they want to go, which is guaranteed in the resolutions of the United Nations. He said The Dutch Government has a responsibility assist St. Maarten in obtaining what the people voted for nine years ago, which is to become country. Marlin gave an example with the strengthening of the police force. He said some five persons are to come to St. Maarten to assist with the strengthening and re-enforcement and just recently, when he inquired about the process he learnt that the recruitment for these persons had not been completed. Marlin said based on one of the agreements the Dutch would have provided five top officials to help strengthen the police force locally. He made clear that these persons are not going to remain on St. Maarten instead; they are to assist with the strengthening. He said it is not well for these politicians who are on the other end of the ocean to criticize the island while they themselves are not living up to their obligations. Marlin said St. Maarten is fully ready to accept responsibilities and they are ready to become a country. He said the legal framework for country St. Maarten is there and the only need is the personnel and the infrastructures.