This article gave a very sobering report in terms of how the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament views the authority of the RTC to take what it considers 'irreversible decisions'.
A very interesting segment of this article goes as follows (quote)'This euphoria is now being killed by the Second Chamber, which seems to be sticking to its October 23 motion. In that motion, Parliament made it clear that St. Maarten can not attain country status until the island has complied with all conditions'.
The euphoria to which is referred to here is the expectation created by State-secretary Anke BIJLEVELD-SCHOUTEN that 'nothing stands in the way of a successful RTC'.
The very critical stance of Dutch Parliamentarian, Mr. Johan REMKES and others who refuse to simply collaborate with St. Maarten getting its 'country-status', without very clear guarantees and conditions a very wise one and in the interest of the PEOPLE of the island, who have nowhere to turn for justice in their own land.
While, we can imagine that many Dutch politicians are so 'sick and tired' of St. Maarten, that they are willing to 'cut corners' and 'go along' with the island corrupt Government getting 'rewarded' for the way they have been running this 'banana-republic', especially in recent months where even the opposition in the Island-government is completely ignored and dis-respected.
So, while not allowing for irreversible decisions to be taken might be considered as 'killing the euphoria' by certain elements on the island, God knows that by being extremely cautious with granting St. Maarten its new status, another 'Mumbai' on the 'Friendly-island' might just have been prevented.
Therefore, if the members of the Dutch Parliament really care for the wellbeing of the PEOPLE of this island and for social stability in this part of their Kingdom, they better be very, very careful allowing for 'irreversible' decisions to be taken at the upcoming RTC.
The people of St. Maarten are saying clearly, enough is enough and a change must come and will come.
A change for the better of the PEOPLE of this island, even if necessary, at the expense of the current politicians own political agendas and self-enrichment schemes.
'Voorkomen is beter dan genezen' ('An once of prevention is better than a pound of cure") still remains a very wise proverb.
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia
