Maho:--- A simple but well organized ceremony was held on Friday evening to bid farewell to the council of Ministers of the Netherlands Antilles. Past, present and future dignitaries of the island territory and country St. Maarten and Curacao were present to mingle with the Ministers. Minister of Home and Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan thanked his colleagues for the work they have done together especially for finalizing the constitutional process which began some ten years ago.Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage presented tokens of appreciations to her colleagues on St. Maarten including Leo Chance who served as the longest Minister of the Netherlands Antilles. Prime Minister de Jongh-Elhage also presented a token to incoming Governor Eugene Holiday and acting Lt Governor Reynold Groeneveldt who for the first time met with the Prime Minister in person.
The Prime Minister said that she admires St. Maarten for the cooperation the politicians show when dealing with the constitutional process. "The politicians here worked for St. Maarten even when they are on the opposition benches. "When Sarah was in power and was in charge of the constitutional process William was always by her side to negotiate the constitutional process and when William was in power Sarah was by his side", the Prime Minister said.Acting Lt. Governor Groeneveldt also presented a token of appreciation to the Prime Minister on behalf of St. Maarten.
