Cyrus Wathey Square:--- While country St. Maarten was dubbed as the people's affair and that having a new status is all about the people that was not what politicians and those that organized the official ceremony for the official dawn of Country St Maarten displayed.According to the program that was released by the island government the reception held at the Holland House was only for those invited by those that would be in government and their VIPS. Members of the various media houses were told they were not invited to work or even be part of the reception. Festivities and other entertainment that was supposed to begin at 7pm at the Cyrus Wathey Square got under way at 9:30pm. Persons who came out to witness history were left to loiter around until the dignitaries and their invited guests arrived at the Cyrus Wathey Square at 11pm.
The seating that was prepared in the court yard of the court house (Cyrus Wathey Square) was also for those that were invited and the dignitaries while the people of St. Maarten, and the younger generation that left their homes to witness history was forced to stand around the court house and to peek over the fence to witness this historic event. Organizers claimed that the activities was scaled down due to the weather conditions and that the official ceremony will be announced at a later date.
Among those invited were the Minister of Justice of the Netherlands Ernst Hirch Ballin, President of the Collectivity of St Martin, the Prefet Jacques Simmonet, representatives of Anguilla, and other local dignitaries.
The only speaker for the evening Acting Lt Governor Reynold Groeneveldt told the gathering the Kingdom is now reformed after years of negotiations and hard work. He said during the last 50 years the islands under the Netherlands Antilles enjoyed prosperity, and growth while some had to face austerity measures.Groeneveldt said St. Maarten has become a beacon of hope for many persons from many parts of the world and the people should be proud of the Netherlands Antilles and what it meant for them.
The acting Lt. Governor thanked all those persons and island's that were part of the Antilles and most importantly he thanked Queen Beatrix for the cooperation and that of the Dutch Government.
Groeneveldt said while there were times the negotiations for the islands to go their separate ways was not at all easy at no time there was need for revolt, violence or war, like in other countries.The governor said that while St. Maarten has embarked on another stage in pursuit of full internal self government within the Kingdom it is his hope that the island can continue to count on the support of all the partners in the Kingdom while they look forward for closer ties and more cooperation which would result in the mutual benefit for the people.
The official ceremony started off with Pastor Allen's invocation, then the bringing down of the Antillean Flag which was given over to Minister of Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan who the presented the flag to the Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt who immediately turned over the flag to a representative of the St. Maarten museum who would have it their marked as a piece of St. Maarten's history.
Immediately after the removal of the Antillean flag, the St. Maarten flag was hoisted signaling the dawn of country St. Maarten. Those in the crown began cheering at the hoisting of the St. Maarten flag while they joined in singing the St Maarten's song with the Methodist men's choir. The moment the flag was in its place the dignitaries began moving around congratulating each other now that the island has officially become a country within the Dutch Kingdom. The official ceremony closed off with fireworks which lighted up the sky.
