STATELESS WOMAN RECEIVES OFFICIAL RESPONSE.

Philipsburg:---Elisabeth Frederick, who is seeking to be recognized as a Dutch citizen is pleased to acknowledge that last week she received an official written response from the Lieutenant Governor of St. Maarten, Mr. Franklyn E. Richards, in respect to her requests on Kingdom Day. According to human rights advocate, Terry J. Peterson, "In the letter dated January 9, 2009, Lt. Governor Richards indicated that her case was high on the agenda of his cabinet and expressed his commitment to have her situation resolved in accordance with the law. He expressed that he was happy that there was a good relationship between his staff and Ms. Frederick, and that his legal team would work diligently together to bring her case to good closure."

Peterson stated further that, "The Lt. Governor of St. Maarten has also consulted with the Governor of the Netherlands Antilles, that in fact, on Thursday we received a call from the Cabinet of the Governor of the Netherlands Antilles reassuring us that the case had their attention too, and they also requested some documents to help expedite a travel document for Ms. Frederick so she could travel for urgent medical treatment. The Netherlands is a signatory to the ‘International Treaty on Stateless Persons' and this treaty provides for the granting of travel documents for stateless persons in cases of emergency and special situations."

"Elizabeth is very pleased with these developments and would like to thank the Governors of St. Maarten and the Netherlands Antilles for their update, interest, and efforts in her case. She would also like to thank the staff of the Governor's cabinet and the personnel at the Census office/civil registry of St. Maarten for their understanding, cooperation and assistance. She feels she is very close to a resolution for an identity for her children and herself. Elizabeth is very grateful and remains very hopeful that she and her children will have an identity in time for the centennial jubilee on Queen's Day."