Philipsburg: --- The National Alliance Faction on Friday night updated their members on the state of affairs on St. Maarten regarding the recent political development. The meeting was held at the NA headquarters "The Farret House."
In a statement to members of the media shortly after the meeting, leader of the National Alliance William Marlin said his members were interested in knowing what this political situation can do to the island. Marlin said the meeting was well attended and the discussions were lively. He said as leader of the party that he briefed his members on issues that were taking place since June 2008 to what has happened now. Marlin said he also talked about the discussions they are having with the Democratic Party and the attempts that are being made to form a government.
Marlin said his members openly expressed themselves with their opinions. One of the members who is the eldest and longest supporters made a touching statement.
"Some of the members he said asked about higher supervision, while others wanted to know how long the National Alliance is going to be negotiating with the Democratic Party and what would be the next step should these negotiations fail, they wanted to know if at that point higher supervision would kick in and how long that would be for.
Marlin said he felt that his members had legitimate concerns about the island's future. The National Alliance leader said he plans to wait on the leader of the DP and whenever they resigned, they would begin discussions. He said he heard Wescot Williams on a radio program who said that when they had discussed the last time they were not asked to resign. Marlin his response said at that time the government did not fall and their was a legitimate government in place. Today he said the scenarios are not the same. He said he clearly explained the reasons the NA believed that they must resign.
Marlin said while the leader of the DP has acknowledged that the ethical thing for them to do is to resign she did not say what is preventing the process. The NA leader said based on what is being said and seems logical is that the DP is working overtime to see if they can regain the majority in the island council so that they can continue governing. He said it is clear that the DP party is stalling the process as they are looking to gain time.