Dawn Beach:--- Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba on Wednesday was given the first opportunity to make a presentation on the Brooks Tower Accord and how the process functions at the opening of the Political Steering Group Meeting that is currently held on St. Maarten. A motion was filed against the BTA process that is currently taking place in the Netherlands Antilles in the second chamber last week. Jacoba has to also give St. Maarten some answers pertaining to the project Safety Plan St. Maarten since funding for this project was approved. She would also have to go into details about the police and the functioning of the police, the expansion of the prison in Curacao while that was not happening on St. Maarten. Jacoba also had to provide answers on the improvement of immigration on St. Maarten. Already the Minister is saying St. Maarten lacks land space for the expansion of the prison.The Minister of Health would also have to give answers pertaining to her foundation and the 6.6 million guilders. It is reported that the Minister wants to buy medical equipments with this money for the Netherlands Antilles.
Leader of Government William Marlin told reporters at the beginning of the meeting that they were expecting to get answers to some pressing issues. He said St. Maarten would be looking to get some answers on the dismantling process and the division of assets. Marlin said one of the concerns St. Maarten shares is that St. Maarten is shortchanged since Curacao already has all the necessary infrastructures. He said already the BES islands have asked Holland to sit in these meetings since BES islands are looking for their share in the division of assets. Marlin said St. Maarten would also be seeking clarity on the funds that the Netherlands Antilles has especially if there is a surplus.
Marlin said they were to discuss the taking over of the debts of the Antilles by Holland and he had expected some fierce discussions.
More on this story later – as the Meetings are currently ongoing.