Sint Eustatius, January 20th, 2019

Dear editor,

Dutch Parliamentarians Mssrs. Andre Bosman and Ronald van Raak pride themselves on being very experienced and knowledgeable about Kingdom relations, the islands of the former Netherlands Antilles, and “het Statuut”. They always claim to have the best interests of the inhabitants of these islands at heart, and to represent a country (the Netherlands) that has an excellent track record when it comes to the (international) rule of law, good governance, and integrity.

For as long as they have been members of the Dutch Parliament, Mssrs. Bosman and van Raak (together with the successive Dutch Government officials charged with the portfolio of Kingdom Relations) have arrogantly ignored or rejected the consistent and constructive criticism leveled at (the dismal decolonization track record of) the Netherlands. Proposals, decisions, and (constructive) criticism by Government officials of the Dutch Caribbean islands are usually met with derogation and pointing fingers right back at the so-called “corrupt governments” on these islands.

However, since the verdict against the Netherlands in the Corrallo case, the international criticisms towards the Netherlands regarding the Venezuelan refugee issue, the two Court Cases initiated by the legitimate Government of Sint Eustatius thus far, and the strong but justified criticism by Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten towards the Netherlands regarding its mishandling of the “Dispute arrangement” during the last IPKO, Mssrs. Bosman and van Raak have changed their tone.

Attempting to play victims who only have good intentions and “love” for the Dutch Caribbean islands and their populations, they seem to have “suddenly” realized that the dominance (including constant insults, arrogance, and a dismissive “take it or leave it”-attitude) which the Netherlands has been arrogantly and sternly exercising over the Dutch Caribbean governments since 1954, has a flip side to it.
That flip side is having to take moral-, legal-, and financial responsibility, and being exposed and held accountable for one’s actions in a court of (international) law, and the (international) court of public opinion.

Starting in 1954, the Netherlands has been having its cake and eating it too, hiding behind the “autonomy” of the Dutch Caribbean islands when convenient (i.e. in order to prevent negative international exposure and/or taking financial responsibility), and trampling it when expedient.

Now, Mssrs. Bosman and van Raak publicly acknowledge that Holland did not do a good job (with handling Kingdom Relations), that “het Statuut” does not function properly and needs to be adjusted, and that the process of decolonization of the Dutch Caribbean was not completed and should be finalized as soon as possible. They also stated that the people and Governments of the Dutch Caribbean islands should be consulted and allowed to make a choice regarding their constitutional position and the division of rights and obligations between them and the Netherlands.

Mr. Bosman, referring to the article 73 of the UN Charter, has already sent a draft proposal to change “het Statuut” to the Dutch Parliament. According to Mr. Bosman, his proposal is “completely in compliance with international law” and “codifies” constitutional rights obligations in Dutch law. In a recent radio interview, Mr. van Raak even went as far as to suggest a meeting between the Netherlands and the six islands to discuss all issues and come to a solution once and for all.

The question is why Mssrs. Bosman and van Raak, with all their knowledge and experience, are only now acknowledging what research by constitutional scholars like Steven Hillebrink and Fred Soons established years ago based on the UN Charter, UN resolutions, and transcripts of meetings of the UN General Assembly and the Dutch Council of Ministers meetings in the 1950’s.

Said research confirms that the Government of the Netherlands successfully ducked its responsibilities and obligations regarding the full decolonization of its overseas territories when it presented “het Statuut” to the UN General Assembly. Knowing very well that “het Statuut” did not constitute the full decolonization of the Netherlands Antilles, the Government still pushed it through.

Now that the Dutch Government is being internationally condemned, exposed, and criticized, Mssrs. Bosman and van Raak are feeling the pinch, and want to save face. It is exactly this condemnation, exposure, and criticism from within and outside of the Kingdom that the Government of Sint Eustatius has been warning the Government of the Netherlands against.
Had both gentlemen taken note of-, and/or acted on the numerous motions, proposals, and warning letters that the Government of Sint Eustatius sent to the Government of the Netherlands since 2015, they would not have to change their tone and presenting “solutions” now.

In all fairness to my two former Parliamentarian colleagues, they did propose a Commonwealth structure for the Dutch Kingdom in 2013, which would essentially give all the six Dutch Caribbean islands their UN-mandated full measure of self-government.

The Commonwealth proposal was presented a while after a brief discussion I had as Commissioner with Mr. Bosman in The Hague in 2011. During that discussion, we both confirmed that Sint Eustatius has the right to be an autonomous and equal partner in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and agreed that a plan of action would be made by Sint Eustatius and the Netherlands to outline how that objective would be achieved within five to ten years. Being a liberal politician, Mr. Bosman fully supported Sint Eustatius ambitions.

Then, in June of 2016, former member of the Dutch Senate, and recently appointed President of the Council of State Mr. Thom de Graaf, with the support of many parties in the Senate, presented a motion to “modernize” het Statuut (see The Daily Herald of June 22nd, 2016, pages 1 and 11). In his new position, Mr. de Graaf has the opportunity to overrule the misguided advices of his predecessor Mr. Donner, and play a crucial role making the Government of the Netherlands in compliance with international law. Both Mr. Bosman and Mr. van Raak’s statements clearly justify the legal claims by the legitimate government of Sint Eustatius against the Government of the Netherlands based on the UN Charter. Yet, as representatives of a liberal and social party, they hypocritically voted for the decapitation of the democratically elected Government of Sint Eustatius, and support Mr. Knops’ statement that no elections will be held on Sint Eustatius in the next two months.

With elections coming up in the Netherlands, I hope that Mssrs. Bosman and van Raak’s statements are not just publicity stunts. Mr. Bosman has alledgedly made legislative proposals for that reason in the past according to a fellow-VVD parliamentarian.

Despite my experiences with former Minister Plasterk, I want to give both gentlemen the benefit of the doubt. I want to assume that their statements about bringing “het Statuut” and the relationships within the Kingdom in line with the international obligations of the Netherlands, while respecting the choices of the populations of the six islands, are sincere.

If they are, I suggest that Mssrs. Bosman and van Raak immediately present a motion to start this process to the Dutch Parliament, and initiate preparations for consultations with the legitimate legislatures of the six islands, including that of Sint Eustatius. An act of good faith on the part of the Government of the Netherlands would be to end the unlawful occupation of Sint Eustatius by the appointed puppet Government, and allow the democratically elected, legitimate local Government to resume carrying out its task.

The IPKO scheduled for June of this year would be a good opportunity to have these consultations. Successfully completing these consultations will create a constitutional order within the Kingdom which fully complies with the obligations of the Netherlands as (former) colonizing power.

Sint Eustatius is ready, and the legitimate Government has the mandate of the people. As early as 2017, the Island Council of Sint Eustatius passed legislation paving the way to achieve a full measure of self-government, including a draft constitutional framework. The same Government also commissioned a feasibility study to establish the needs of the island as an autonomous entity in the Kingdom, and the amount of income that is currently being collected locally and transferred to the coffers of the Netherlands.

If Mr. Bosman has a good memory and good intentions, he will remember the discussion we had in 2011 and ensure that his Government cooperates with getting his intentions carried out to benefit of the entire Kingdom.

Clyde I. van Putten Island Council Member and Leader of the Coalition Government of Sint Eustatius

Verse 1 Compose by Baker Jr .
We sick and tired of the SCDF - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE They got we calypso culture in distress - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE Granger got the foundation in hot water - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE Its time to show them calypso power - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE
Granger think his mouth is hot pepper Working behind the seen undercover While he have a business agenda We carnival run by teenagers
Who don’t care if calypso prosper Granger you destroying we culture You can call me baker the troublemaker I rather be that than a teen lover Chorus SCDF time to do your duty - Respect We Carnival Culture Stop using the foundation to make money - Respect We Carnival Culture Instead of dictating the kaiso art form - Respect We Carnival Culture Cause of calypso carnival was born - Respect We Carnival Culture
You disrespecting we culture for spite Moving just like a thief in the night You lucky that you escape jail life Cause of talent teen you have a wife

RESPECT WE CARNIVAL CULTURE
Verse 2 Compose by Baker Jr .
Radjuky stop being granger puppet - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE Playing Texas hold’em with the budget - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE Running carnival with this business projection- WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE While the SCDF killing the art form -WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE
Conflict of interest is what I’m smelling Especially working in government By the court of the people you failed screening You both remind me of pinky and the brain
You have no respect for calypso Your dictatorship is now on death row You kill and you bluntly steal couchi show But I would never let you kill calypso Chorus Radjuky and Granger you both got to go - Respect We Calypso Culture Stop playing politics with we show - Respect We Carnival Culture Since you both like to go Easter hunting - Respect We Carnival Culture Wear Easter bunny costume jouvert morning - Respect We Carnival Culture
It’s time to respect the calypsonians Or you will get a 50th present Your dirty laundry will be the talk of town So by sun down I need you both gone

RESPECT WE CARNIVAL CULTURE
Verse 3 Compose by Baker Jr .
Alston you a next puppet the string - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE Got Granger playing with your intelligence - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE Most SCDF members isn’t able - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE Watching Micky cutting deals under the table -WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE
Jouvert and calypso belongs together But SCDF have an agenda They say they not making money from calypso So they leaving Nagico dictate we show
If you got to do all that for a sponsor Give the show to who care for we culture You say seven member out of nine hate calypso Those opportunist board member must go Chorus That unethical move you did to kaiso - Respect We Carnival Culture Sabotaging we calypso show - Respect We Carnival Culture You already destroy the junior calypso - Respect We Carnival Culture You try to take Anna Queen show just like couchy show - Respect We Carnival Culture
You sabotage good locals promoters You now even turn on the boot holders Time to expose your hidden agenda Selling carnival to the highest bidder Granger!
RESPECT WE CARNIVAL CULTURE
Verse 4 Compose by Baker Jr .
Granger feel he’s indispensible - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE With lying Alston his biggest moumou - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE But I hope SCDF could handle - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE When I reveal all the deals under the table - WE AIN’T TOLERATING NO MORE
You all got too much business going on Micky on a money making spree Disregard and disrespect the down trodden Sell out the village to Abougazy
Nothing but alcohol is now gone You getting incentive from business men They should audit you for that hundred thousand The rent money collecting from the boots and them Chorus Abougazy even got club in we village - Respect We Carnival Culture SCDF is on a money rampage - Respect We Carnival Culture We need to sign a petition and send a clear message - Respect We Carnival Culture The SCDF boys club need to be replace - Respect We Carnival Culture
Micky got business in every vicinity He making sure set up his family Alston and the SCDF teens and Radjouky We want back we carnival how it used to be.

WE WANT TO KNOW Verse 1 His Majesty Baker Jr.
THIS ONE GOING GO VIRAL ON FB
CAUSE THESE CALYPSO VITAL QUESTIONS ARE TRICKY
FOR THE ST MAARTEN CARNIVAL COMMITTEE
TO GIVE ACCOUNT FOR ALL THAT SPONSOR MONEY
NOW LETS GET TO THE QUESTIONS IMMEDIATELY
AND THE FIRST QUESTION IS FOR MICKEY
THE 1.2 MILLION YOU GET FROM ILTT
WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO ALL THAT MONEY?
Chorus-
DID YOU PAY OFF THE CARNIVAL DEBT WITH A LUMPSUM? OR DID YOU USED SOME TO GO ON BIG VACATION?
DO YOU REMEMBER THE LAST JUNIOR TALENT TEEN PAGEANT? DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT HAPPEN WHEN YOU WAS PRESIDENT DID YOU PLAYED SICK TO ESCAPE INCARCERATION
HOW MUCH FUNDS YOU GIVE TO YOUR TALENT TEEN PARENTS THAT IS THE SAME YEAR YOU HAD TO STEP DOWN WHY YOU ARE STILL AROUND AND WHERE ALL THAT MONEY GONE?
WE WANT TO KNOW Verse 2 His Majesty Baker Jr.
THESE OTHER QUESTIONS IS FOR ALSTON
ARE YOU REALLY THE PRESIDENT OR GRANGER AGENT?
BUT SINCE YOU FRONTING AND LIKE TO TALK DI THING
THEN CAN YOU TELL US WHERE THE 1.2 MILLION WENT?
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT TRUJILLO OFF SHORE ACCOUNT
BALAGUER HOW MUCH YOU GETTING PAY TO BE IN FRONT?
IS YOUR NEW VICE PRESIDENT A KITITIAN?
IS SHE CALLING MORE SHOTS THAN YOU ALSTON?
Chorus-
IS MIKEY REALLY TAKING THE QUEEN PAGEANT TO GIVE TO THE BIG BOTTOM KITTIAN?
TELL US WHY MALCOM LEFT THE FOUNDATION? AND IS IT TRUE RADJOUKY ALSO GONE WHY THE SOCALLED APPOINTED DIRECTOR
GRANGER THE LONE RANGER CAN BE TREASURER?
IS THE MONEY TO SWEET THAT’S WHY HE CAN’T LEAVE?
AND WHY YOU HAVE A RAT MINDING THE CHEESE?

WE WANT TO KNOW Verse 3 His Majesty Baker Jr.
ALSTON BALAGUER YOU HAVE LESS BAGGAGE BUT AS MIKE ACCOMPLICE YOU LOSE LEVERAGE WHY YOU THINK YOU ALL SMARTER AND MORE CERFISTICATED? BUT USED THE MOMMY SYMPATHY CARD FOR GOOD IMAGE DON’T YOU KNOW CALYPSO WILL DESTROY YOUR FATE WHY MOMMY AIN’T TEACH ALL YO NOT TO MESS WITH HIGH VOLTAGE? ALL YO TIME EXPIRE TO LEAVE WITH NO REGRETS BUT THERE IS NO EXPERATION DATE ON DISRESPECT
Chorus-
WHY IS CALYPSO YOU CHOSE TO NEGLECT? FOR THE ART FORM AND CULTURE YOU GOT NO RESPECT WHY SHOWS YOU COULD BENEFIT FROM YOU WANT TO TAKE? WHY YOU ENVY ALL THE PROMOTERS THAT YOU REPLACE YOU TRY THE SAME THING WITH POSH PROMOTIONS BUT YOU FAILED ANNA STOOD UP TO YOU TAKE YOU COURTS AND WIN THE CASE TROJILLO IS IT CAUSE THE SHOW’S A BIG SUCCESS? YOU TRY TO GIVE IT TO YOUR MISTRESS
WE WANT TO KNOW Verse 4 His Majesty Baker Jr.
BEFORE THIS SONG DONE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS HOPE THESE LAST QUESTIONS DON’T TRIGGER YOUR EMOTIONS LYRICAL QUESTIONS OF MAS DESTRUCTION
AND IF YOU GUILTY YOU’LL BE STRIP FROM YOUR POSSITION WHY YOU TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE DOWN TRODDEN? IS IT TO EMBEZZLE FUNDS THROUGH THE FOUNDATION? IS THE ENTIRE BOARD GETTING SOME KIND OF PENSSION? OR BALAGUED AND TROJILLO GETTING A LUMPSUM?
Chorus-
SCDF HERE IS A SIMPLE QUESTION HOW MUCH FUNDS YOU DONATING TO YOUR OFFSHOW ACCOUNT?
IS IT THROUGH WIFEY NOW HOSTING COUCHY SHOW ? IS THIS HOW YOU TRANFERING THE FUNDS OFF SHURE AND IS IT TRUE WHAT SCHOOL CHRIDREN SAY MIKEY?
ARE YOU THERE WITH THE KITTITIAN VP? IT NOT MY BUSINESS IF YOU HORNING WIFEY MY BUSINESS TO KEEP KAISO ALIVE IN MY COUNTRY

Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius, December 20th, 2018

Dear Editor,

I have taken note of the media reports about State Secretary Knops’ admission to the
Dutch Parliament that the government which he himself unlawfully appointed, broke
the Dutch law it was supposedly sent to Sint Eustatius to uphold. In the case in question, acting Government Commissioner Stegers, in violation of the Dutch laws and the principles of integrity and avoiding conflicts of interest, awarded a construction contract to the company of the President of the Democratic Party and senior policy advisor in
the Governor’s Cabinet for years.

The blatant hypocrisy of the Dutch Government, which I have pointed out on numerous occasions in the past, is once again fully exposed in Mr. Knops’ letter to the Dutch Parliament. Just looking at the history of the Dutch Government’s actions around the world, the many Dutch politicians who were prematurely forced out of office in disgrace the past few years, and the recent case of the exorbitant payments to Mr. Brons, the revelation that Mr. Stegers knowingly acted in violation of the same law he was supposedly sent to Sint Eustatius to uphold comes as no surprise.

It has once again been proven that the Dutch Government had no legal nor moral authority outside of the Netherlands itself. Contrary to the vague and unproven allegations in the report of Mr. Refunjol, which Mr. Knops used as a pretext to unlawfully depose the legitimate government of Sint Eustatius, the case of Mr. Stegers’ violation of his own laws is clear. It was clear enough for Mr. Knops to send a long letter to the Dutch Parliament admitting Mr. Stegers’ violation of the Dutch laws. Yet, no further action is being taken against Mr. Stegers, other than conveniently changing the law.

As is usually the case when Dutch government officials act illegally, Mr. Knops first goes into a lengthy explanation of the law to distract from the real issue at hand. He then

attempts to downplay Mr. Stegers’ violations, indicating that “it will not happen again”. The fact remains, however, that Mr. Stegers should have known his own Dutch laws. Mr. Knops ends his letter with another attempt to justify or downplay Mr. Stegers’ actions
by indicating that he will examine if the current laws are suitable for the small scale of
Sint Eustatius.

Ironically, the islands’ elected governments have been making this exact same point since the talks about constitutional reform began back in 2006. Dutch Government commissioned studies also indicated that exceptions should be made to certain laws based on the small scale of the islands. The Dutch Government ignored these requests and studies, stating that Dutch law is Dutch law, and therefore applicable to the islands as well. It is the height of hypocrisy that the Dutch Government is only willing to make exceptions when their own officials are caught breaking their laws.

The fact that this matter only came to light via the media, and not via the democratically elected Island Council of Sint Eustatius, clearly exposed the reason why Mr. Knops does not want elections to be held in March of 2019.

This entire affair again exposes the unlawful Dutch occupation of Sint Eustatius as a farce. It also supports and underscores the legal cases which the legitimate Government of Sint Eustatius has filed against the Dutch Government.

Mr. Stegers’ actions are another embarrassment to the Dutch Government, who not
only unlawfully implements laws on a foreign people and kills democracy, but then turns around and knowingly violates those same laws.

In his letter to the Dutch Parliament, Mr. Knops refers to a technical advice that was prepared for the contract in question. Assuming that acting Island Secretary Mrs. Malvern Dijkshoorn-Lopes and interim Director of Economy and Infrastructure Mr. Anthony Reid were both involved in drafting said technical advice, it would stand to reason that they should have also been aware of the violation of the Dutch law which Mr. Knops refers to.

In light of the transparency promised by the Dutch Government via the so-called “cooperative Platform”, I am hereby calling for the immediate and full disclosure of the awarding process and technical advice to the people of Sint Eustatius.

 Clyde I. van Putten

Island Council Member and Leader of Government of St. Eustatius

Dear Mrs. Hodge-Shaw,
Can you imagine my astonishment when I read this article in The Daily Herald? But the following day I was even more surprised that you did not champion the people and integrity for the abuse of using government funds to build a home for these fraudsters. Glenda Dollison lives on a house on property left to her by her father Carlos Dollison. She lives in a concrete house, so her house was not destroyed as they claim in this article. Furthermore, Glenda Dollison rents out parcels of land to people allowing them to construct from a shack to a brick house and the person is charged depending on the size of the lot.
Judging from the size of the Dollison property a low estimate would be $14.000 monthly that she collects in rent. How does the SMHDF justify building, not repairing, a house for this person? While there are literally thousands of other people who genuinely cannot help themselves and are still roofless more than a year after the hurricane, they select her and her brother to build a house for.
Right there on the property there are people who can’t repair the shacks they are living in, and they select these people to give them aid. Are there any criteria for getting help? Do they investigate who they are helping? There’s mention of two people who were supposed to be representing The Netherlands Ministry of internal affairs, but they were most likely representing Holland at El Capitan Nightclub than looking into the background of those selected.
Ms Hodge, you have always exposed abuse and defended the people. You have always sought justice and fairness for the people of SXM. I’m asking you to expose these fraudsters and make them pay back that money. Let that help go to people who really need it. Expose what criteria Franca uses to pass over people in need to build houses for people who can afford their own repairs and construction.

Concerned Citizen of St. Maarten