We daresay, that there will be not even a 'ripple' of popular-protest against such possible delay
On the contrary, many citizens have uttered a deep sigh of relief at the 'Divine intervention' which completely shows up arrogant statements like 'etched in stone' and 'sealed and delivered...'.
Now, whether the good lady genuinely meant it or not, to us is irrelevant at this point.
While most of the time, we have been critical of the council-lady in the past, based on principles, this time around, we reserve the rights to credit her.
To be very clear.
We do such without apologies to whomever may feel offended.
The reason we credit Council-lady Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS this time, is because of her public statement indicating that the rights of native-indigenous St. Martiners should be guaranteed in the constitution.
It is what we, as grass root St. Martin movement, have always demanded.
Therefore, not commending the lady for that, would have meant that we were partisan and that is what we always denounced, when it comes to defending what is good for the St. Martin people.
Even if the lady, made these statements based on 'opportunistic' reasons, matters not to us, for the simple- and logical reason that William MARLIN or Gracita ARRINDELL or ANY other politicians could have done that as well (for their own reason); they did NOT.
So, end of that 'story' now.
Now for the record...for the 'umpteenth' time.
Our grass root st. Martin movement was never perse for-or against any new constitutional change in the Antilles.
What we were oppose against, and very much so, was to any change that did not take into consideration the interest of the various native Antillean people on their respective islands.
In other words, everyone would remember our fundamental question to the politicians, which was NEVER answered.
WHOM is the new status supposed to benefit first and foremost ?????
As far as we are concerned, once the legitimate and historical rights of the Antilleans and therefore St. Martiners on St. Martin in our case, have been fully recognized, in the constitution of ANY new status, we will support such.
Therefore it is up to the politicians to follow the call of Sarah WESCOT-WILLIAMS to start the process of amending the constitution to include OUTSTANDING ISSUES.
Rest assured that in the days, weeks and months ahead our grass root movement will be very active in putting forth a number of these OUTSTANDING ISSUES.
Meanwhile, we caution the political leaders not to allow for arrogance to push them to continue championing this unfinished version of a so called constitution, which denies the very existence of the people whose name the country carries.
As it now stands, this socalled constitution, defacto it is a formal 'declaration of treason/ genocide' on the people of St. Martin and on Antilleans in general.
As such is a crime against our humanity, which can be challenged on any forum, including the UN.
So while, it appears that '10-10-10' is off the table, a real and democratic country St. Maarten is very much possible and feasible.
One that is not only St. Maarten 'in name', but to its 'constitutional core' as well.
Leopold JAMES
President SNBF/Association L'Esprit de Concordia
Proud native-indigenous St. Martinesr without apologies
