“Wise Men” Jan Franssen (left) and Fredis Refunjol.
ST. EUSTATIUS--The Committee of Wise Men, consisting of former Governor of Aruba Fredis Refunjol and member of the Council of State Jan Franssen, will visit St. Eustatius for a second time September 4-7.
The Committee has once again invited the members of the Executive Council and the Island Council for a meeting. During the Committee’s first visit to Statia, members of the coalition declined to speak with the Committee, which the Committee finds “extremely regrettable,” it was stated in a statement issued by Government Service Caribbean Netherlands (RCN) on Monday.
Members of the coalition parties declined to speak with the Committee, because Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk refused the two candidates who were to sit in the Committee on behalf of the Public Entity. Members of the opposition and other politicians have responded to the call from the Committee, it was stated.
This time, as promised, the Committee of Wise Men will share their preliminary findings and would like to hear the views of the Island Council and the Executive Council on the future of the island.
In addition, the Committee intends to receive and speak with anyone who has the need to do so “in all openness and confidentiality.”
Those who would like to make use of the opportunity to speak with the Committee of Wise Men can contact the Committee via e-mail address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
