The release of a letter from Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk to Prime Minister William Marlin about the appointment of Hans Leijtens as quartermaster for the St. Maarten Integrity Chamber (see related story) does not clarify much. For one thing, it is dated a week after the appointment was made.
The Dutch Minister does explain that this was a “personnel decision” of which the procedure consequently had a confidential character, which is why Philipsburg was not informed beforehand. He expresses understanding for the fact that the local Government felt surprised and laments such, but believes the move creates opportunities to give content to the related protocol signed between the two countries in 2015.
Plasterk also reminds Marlin that the Dutch Government suspended the process to seek advice from the Council of State on establishing the Chamber because St. Maarten drafted its own National Ordinance for such. However, the latter was annulled by the Constitutional Court on its review of such at the request of the Ombudsman and “after that no visible progress was made.”
In the Minister’s view St. Maarten can make good use of Leijtens’ knowhow and experience to help set up the Chamber. Plasterk and Marlin discussed the matter three weeks ago in Aruba, but agreed afterwards to say only that they will keep talking.
Meanwhile, it’s reported in this paper that Parliament President Sarah Wescot-Williams respectfully declined an invitation to meet with the quartermaster, because she had been co-signatory to a unanimous motion condemning how the appointment was made. Moreover, the order issued to civil servants not to have dealings with him still stands.
Something needs to give, although it’s always possible that a new government to be formed in The Hague after today’s Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament elections might have different ideas. Whether Plasterk and the rest of the outgoing Rutte Cabinet, but also Leijtjes are willing to wait that long is another matter entirely
