Voters in Bonaire spoke clearly in Friday’s referendum. Near a two-thirds majority said “No” to the sole question whether they agree with the content given to the choice for direct ties with the Netherlands
made in back 2004.
The result did not come as a surprise, because there had been quite a bit of objection to how certain things went since the new constitutional relations took effect on 10-10-10. In addition, many believed a “Yes” answer would make it seem as though they were completely happy with the current circumstances.
Critical observers also pointed out that had the people been asked whether they had been satisfied with the old situation in the former Netherlands Antilles, the answer would have been negative as well. On the other hand, the big margin undoubtedly helped provide a mandate for the PDB/UPB coalition to negotiate improvements with The Hague.
Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk (see related story) did not appear to be overly concerned. He pointed out that for its formal response to the report of the Evaluation Committee, the Dutch Government would consult the three overseas special public entities Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (the BES islands).
The latter might mean that solutions for the perceived bottlenecks still could be sought within the existing structure of the Caribbean Netherlands. This possibility also clearly had been left open by Bonaire’s Island Council stating beforehand that a “No” vote would not entail going back on the earlier choice for direct ties with the Netherlands.
In fact, it was said a second referendum with options based on the outcome of talks with the Netherlands as originally intended may not be necessary if satisfactory changes can be achieved. That perhaps would be the best and least troublesome scenario, also for Saba and Statia.
