Status Apart for St Maarten still in Limbo, while Saba, Statia and Bonaire would soon achieve what their heart desire

BONAIRE--Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius ended their talks with the Netherlands in Bonaire yesterday and parties were upbeat about coming to a solid agreement in The Hague next week.
  Dutch Minister of Administrative Reform and Kingdom Relations Atzo Nicolaï, Commissioners Roy Hooker of St. Eustatius and Will Johnson from Saba, and Bonaire’s Leader of Government Ramoncito Booi all spoke of “good,” “positive” and “constructive” talks that took place in the first three days of this week.
  The talks they say were so positive, said Nicolaï; he had the feeling that there was a “good chance” of reaching an agreement on October 11. That agreement would define the criteria of the new relations between the Netherlands and the smaller islands, in The Hague’s political corridors already referred to as the K3, K standing for “Klein,” small in Dutch.
 However, there are a number of issues that still have to discuss said Nicolaï and he anticipated those to be “firm” discussions, as he said it, “Crack some hard nuts.” Neither he, nor the other delegation leaders wanted to say what exactly those “hard nuts” were.
  Laid down in next week’s agreement Nicolaï said at a press conference at the end of the talks late Wednesday morning, should be issues like the level of services, the specific status and the transition period.
  Details of the new status of the islands still have to be defined, but the Dutch Council of State (“Raad van State”) is suggesting an extraordinary public body (“speciaal openbaar lichaam”), similar to a municipality, but with special authorities adapted to the specific situation of the islands.

Transition period

  When it comes to the transition period, Nicolaï said that the process to integrate the smaller islands into the Dutch structure would take only as long as necessary. “We shouldn’t make it complicated with piles of paper,” he said. He explained the agreement would have to contain a plan detailing the steps that have to be taken, including the drafting of policy lines and adaptation of legislation.
  The Netherlands Antilles would be informed of the process and would be allowed to be at the talks in the Netherlands, but as observers. “They can’t sign,” said Nicolaï. That observer will be Antillean Minister of Home and Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan.
  Nicolaï said he was “very conscious” of the desire of the smaller islands to realize direct ties with the Netherlands and get it over with fast. But, he added, he also had a formal responsibility as long as they are part of the Netherlands Antilles. “We can’t pretend otherwise,” he added.

Informal

  The talks in Bonaire had an informal character with the exchange of and amendments and suggestions to confidential documents, said Nicolaï. “Now we have a good picture of what we want. We agree on a number of issues and some we don’t agree on, but we understand the differences (in opinion),” he stated.
  And what if talks with Curacao and St. Maarten in the end result unsuccessful? Then at least there is an agreement and no time would be lost. Preparations could be started which would include a plan of action.
  Leaders of the smaller islands indicated that they too would like to see this resolved through the “normal procedure” by dismantling the Antilles. But they also held open the option of realizing closer ties with the Netherlands through the Kingdom Charter and/or the Islands Regulation Netherlands Antilles ERNA.
   Statia’s Commissioner Roy Hooker called the talks a “very big step in the right direction.” With the agreement signed in The Hague next week, the Minister could then go to the other two islands. He said that if it didn’t work out with Curacao and St. Maarten, they would have to look at the possibilities within the Charter or ERNA.

Clarity

  Hooker said it was important for the smaller islands to be clear about their relation with the Netherlands before coming to agreements with the two bigger islands. “So we can go back to our people with something and we can talk as equal partners,” he said.
  Saba’s Commissioner Will Johnson mentioned that it were the smaller islands that drew up the agenda for the mini-summit, which contents were discussed in Bonaire. “That is a plus point for us,” he said. He said that in the past things were different: the Netherlands set the agenda and the islands just approved.
  Johnson said he was “happy” with the way the talks were conducted in Bonaire. But, he added, “This is not the end of the road.” He stressed that the smaller islands were striving for the best for their people. “We need safeguards and Holland is the best option to provide that,” he said.
  Booi from Bonaire agreed the goal should be betterment for the people. An agreement with the Netherlands would give the islands more possibilities to develop themselves in a more constructive way, economically, socially and culturally.
  Booi said parties were conscious of the difference between the islands and the Netherlands. “The point of departure is that we are different. If we are not the same, then what are we? And what does a status of Sui generis (special status municipality, ed.) mean for the people?”

Social benefits
  In any case, new relations don’t mean getting the same social benefits as in the Netherlands. Parties agreed on that. Nicolaï: “Everyone understands that having the same level of social benefits and welfare is not possible. Here too they find that logical. The issue is what is acceptable. The question is what a good level is.”
  The Minister said that would have to be looked at properly and not too hastily. “We should take time to look at that. Look at the criteria,” he said. He said having luxurious social benefits would also create an out of balance situation when compared to the region. “It would not be to the islands’ benefit if everybody out of the region would come here and try their luck. That kind of migration, you don’t want,” he said.

                      
St.Maarten

Now with the progress within the smaller islands of the Netherlands Antilles  which is on the highway road one can clearly say that St. Maarten simply does not know what it want as Dutch Politicians has tremendous concerns., which are creating some reservations about the country’s status
St Maarten one can say is considered as a Municipality in Holland while the politicians can see Curacao becoming a country within the Netherlands, most of them saw great problems for St. Maarten taking that same position.
However, most of the Politicians that have such reservations have not seen the island with its own Port and Airport.
One thing politicians on St. Marten need to do is to put aside their political agenda and stick together, work together and stay focus. Politicians should not deviate and do their homework because the Politicians in Hague are intelligent people and they are doing their homework and are working very hard to fulfill the current demands.
The Netherlands has professional politicians and policy makers and lawyers to do their jobs well prepared to sit at a round table to discuss the issues at hand. However there is concern that there are not enough resources to have the job done.
End