Philipsburg: --- The six political parties of the Netherlands Antilles that was elected during the January 22 parliamentary elections managed to form their new government in record time says informateur Pedro Attacho. During the historic signing at the Great Bay Sonesta Resort on Friday the political heads signed off on the Philipsburg Akkoord 2010. Signing the agreement were the leader of the PAR party Emily de Jongh-Elhage , leader of the National Alliance William Marlin, the UPB Mr. Ramoncito Booi, Faroe Metry PNP Curacao, Mr. Julian Woodley Democratic Party of St. Eustatius, and Mr. Rolando Wilson of the WIPEM.The central government formed on Friday is scheduled to last a period of seven months and is expected to be the last for the Netherlands Antilles. Also signed on Friday is the governing accord which is called the PhilipsburgAkkoord 2010. Attacho said an agreement was also reached on the division of portfolios which consisted of only three and half pages and gives and indication that the main purpose of this new government is to focus on the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles and to support the upcoming new entities of the Kingdom, to care for the well being of the people of the Netherlands Antilles until 10/10/10. Attacho said this new government would also finalize the current affairs. Attacho is expected to present his governing accord and final report to the governor general of the Netherlands Antilles next Sunday instead of March 3. Attacho said after that the governor general would decide on the formateur to form the new cabinet of Ministers.
Attacho said based on the law and the formation of the federal government the PAR the largest party will get five ministries that will be occupied by four ministers. The Prime Minister in the capacity of General and Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Justice, Minister of Education and Public Health, and Plenipotentiary in the Hague as well as the Chairman of Parliament. The National Alliance from St. Maarten has two ministries which are Ministry of Constitutional and Domestic Affairs and Ministry of Traffic and Communications, the deputy Minister of Plenipotentiary in The Hague, and the vice Prime Minister. The UPB has the Ministry of Economic and Labour Affairs, the State Secretary of Domestic Affairs and the second vice Prime Minister. The Democratic Party of Eustatius has the State Secretary of Justice, while the PNP would also hold the State Secretary of Justice, and the vice chairman of Parliament, while the WIPEM party has the State Secretary of Constitutional Affairs.
After the signing Emily d Jhong Elhage felt the decision taken to sign the agreement on St. Maarten was a good one, she said four years ago those that signed the agreement on Friday have worked together for the past five years. D Jhong Elhage said while there were several discussions during that period there was never a crisis in the Antilles. She felt the agreement will last for the couple of months but felt that whatever happens when the Netherlands Antilles is dismantled it will meet what the people have asked for. D Jhong Elhage said her hope is that the six islands would stay together as friends since their families and friends living on these islands.
The Prime Minister also promised that the PAR will finish what they started with the dismantling process also they would make sure the islands get what is best for the people on each of the islands.
National Alliance Leader William Marlin in his statement said the signing on Thursday is indeed a historic moment for the National Alliance since they managed to capture all three seats through the voters on St. Maarten. He said during the discussions for the formation of the new government focus was on achieving the best for St. Maarten. He said the best for the National Alliance is to make sure the agreements made thus far will be realized and that St. Maarten will get the necessary support to become country on the scheduled date 10/10/10. Marlin said part of the agreement that was signed clearly stipulates that the Central Government will give the agreed support that was signed on June 23 2009.
This agreement he said is where the Central Government has agreed to give the necessary support to St. Maarten so that it can build the necessary infrastructure to take over country St. Maarten by 10/10/10.
Marlin said this is not the first time the people have heard that this is the last Government of the Netherlands Antilles but while in the past they have had target dates, this is the first time they have a signed agreement with the other island with a date attached when St. Maarten and Curacao would become countries and the other islands BES islands. He said has no doubt that it would be realized. He said already a law was passed where the task and the responsibilities can be passed on to Curacao and St. Maarten respectively and the Dutch government for Bonaire Saba and Statia. He said currently they are awaiting the law which would permit the islands to have their elections earlier and for St. Maarten to expand its island council to 15 members and the executive council seven members all of which are important aspects leading up to St. Maarten becoming country later this year. Marlin said the discussions that took place these past days can be considered a walk in the park since the governing accord is three and half pages compared to those in the past. St. Maarten leader of government said that alone goes to show that those elected are focused on the dismantling process and building the new countries.
The UPB of Bonaire said his island has issues that they would have to address which they are committed to doing. Mr. Booi said they felt getting closer under the Netherlands would be more beneficial to their island and they are committed in working together to accomplish the goals of the people. The UPB leader said he has left a space open for the Democratic Party of Bonaire to join if they so wish. Booi said he went as far as offering the position of State Secretary to the DP of Bonaire without even consulting with his own party. Booi said for him it is more important for him to finalize the work he is currently working on rather than to play local politics.
The DP of Eustatius also felt the discussions to form this government went well compared to the others that had wars, he said this alone gives them the indication that the dismantling process would go quickly and smooth. One of the objectives of the Democratic Party is to further meet with St. Maarten and Curacao to discuss matters that concern them since the two islands have much more than the three smaller islands. One of the concerns to be discussed the free movement of people from all of the islands that would be going their separate ways come October 10, 2010.
Also witnessing the historic signing was Will Johnson from Saba as leader of the WIPEM made his statement Mr. Wilson said when men and mountains a lot can be accomplished. He said the slogan used for the January 22 election campaign was "no turning back" and with the signing of the accord shows that there would be turning back regarding the dismantling. Wilson felt that Saba will be able to counter all problems they face during the coming months. He also requested from the people of the Netherlands Antilles to pray since the decisions that has to be taken will not be easy ones.
