PHILIPSBURG:--- Veteran journalist and BBC Radio pioneer Eddie Williams has described the late Albert Claudius "Claude" Wathey as the architect of modern Dutch St. Maarten, crediting the former political leader with transforming a small island of approximately 2,000 residents into one of the Caribbean's premier tourism destinations through vision, determination and decades of political leadership.
Speaking during a tribute organized by the Wathey family to commemorate Claude Wathey's life and legacy, Williams offered a deeply personal reflection on the man he came to know over more than four decades, sharing both fond memories and candid observations about one of the most influential—and controversial—figures in the island's political history.
Williams began by congratulating the Wathey family for organizing the tribute before recalling how he first met Claude Wathey in November 1982 while working as a journalist. He remembered that during Carnival in 1983, Wathey's son, Norman, invited him aboard the vessel Captain David, where Claude Wathey himself took the controls for a trip to Anguilla.
"It was a wonderful day," Williams recalled, describing the outing as one of many memorable experiences he shared with the veteran politician.
From Dirt Roads to a Tourism Powerhouse
Williams painted a vivid picture of what Dutch St. Maarten looked like when he first arrived on the island with his family.
He recalled that the road stretching from Princess Juliana Airport into Philipsburg was nothing more than an unpaved dirt road. Carnegie Street was also unpaved, while the area in front of the Government Administration Building became a pool of mud whenever heavy rains fell.
To illustrate those conditions, Williams recounted the wedding day of his friends Marcel and Myra Gumbs, explaining that because of flooding caused by rain, the couple reportedly had to travel by boat to reach the Government Administration Building.
According to Williams, paving the road from the airport into town marked the island's first major infrastructure project. Although tourism had already begun to develop—with hotels such as Mullet Bay Resort, Divi Little Bay, Caravanserai, St. Martin Beach Club, Holland House and Belair already providing employment for residents on both the Dutch and French sides of the island—it was Claude Wathey's long-term vision that accelerated the island's transformation.
A Political Career that Changed the Island
Williams recalled that Claude Wathey entered politics in July 1961 alongside Clemente Labega, with the two co-founding the Democratic Party.
While Labega eventually left politics, Wathey remained and dedicated the next four decades to shaping the future of Dutch St. Maarten.
At the time, Williams noted, the island's population stood at only about 2,000 people. Yet under Wathey's leadership, he said, Dutch St. Maarten attracted foreign investment, embraced free trade, expanded Princess Juliana International Airport, constructed the A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities and developed a tourism industry that placed the island among the Caribbean's leading destinations.
Williams also noted that Wathey frequently clashed with the governments of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Dutch authorities over issues affecting the island, reflecting what he described as Wathey's determination to protect the interests of Dutch St. Maarten.
The Hague, Conviction and Controversy
Williams then addressed one of the most controversial periods of Wathey's political life.
He recalled that after higher supervision was imposed on the Island Territory Government, Wathey resigned from office in 1991, declaring himself "a proud Caribbean man."
Williams noted that Wathey was later investigated in connection with the construction of the A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities, ultimately being convicted of perjury and sentenced to one year in prison in 1994.
Presenting his own recollection, Williams said many people believed the case was politically motivated.
He further recounted that former Chief Justice De Lannoy allegedly told him and a well-known Dutch businessman during a conversation at the Rembrandt Café that he and his department had been pressured by the Dutch government, through its agents, to convict Wathey.
Williams presented this account as his personal recollection of that conversation.
Champion of the People—And a Ruthless Politician
Williams' tribute was not without criticism.
He described Claude Wathey as "always for the small man," recalling how the veteran politician would often stand outside Wathey Travel in the mornings to greet residents personally.
At the same time, Williams characterized Wathey as "a viciously ruthless politician," saying he moved swiftly against anyone who challenged—or was perceived to challenge—his leadership.
According to Williams, Wathey exercised enormous political influence within the Parliament and governments of the former Netherlands Antilles, often holding the balance of power through the representation of St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba. He said Wathey played a decisive role in the formation of numerous central governments.
Williams also recalled Wathey's opposition to increasing Dutch St. Maarten's parliamentary representation from one seat to three, arguing that Wathey feared it would create opportunities for opposition parties to gain representation.
The Grandfather Few Saw
Beyond politics, Williams offered a glimpse into Wathey's private life.
He shared that Wathey purchased a minivan specifically to spend weekends taking his grandchildren on outings because he regretted not having spent enough time with his own children while building the island.
Williams said Wathey once explained that he would not allow history to repeat itself with his grandchildren.
"He Did What He Had To Do For His People"
Concluding his tribute, Williams reflected on the unique relationship he shared with Claude Wathey over the years.
The two, he said, enjoyed many off-the-record conversations and developed what he described as a healthy respect for one another despite sometimes having a "love-hate relationship."
Ultimately, Williams said, everything Wathey did was guided by what he believed was best for Dutch St. Maarten.
"He did what he had to do for his people," Williams said, adding that serving the people of Dutch St. Maarten was always paramount to Albert Claudius Wathey.
Williams ended his tribute by wishing Claude Wathey a happy birthday in remembrance and concluded with the words: "God bless St. Maarten."
