Dear Editor,

  “The wealth of St. Eustatius is beyond your imagination,” the English admiral George Rodney wrote in 1781, just before he would plunder the Dutch colony and rob the merchants of their money and goods. This small island in the Caribbean was called the Golden Rock back then. It was a free port where everyone could buy everything, from slaves and goods to ships and weapons.

  The island flourished during the American Independence War (1775-1783), when the colonies in North America freed themselves from the English motherland and the armaments of the rebels largely took place via Statia. Until the English seized the opportunity and plundered the island. This history is described by Willem de Bruin in his recently published historic novel De Gouden Rots (The Golden Rock). De Bruin, a former journalist, shows in an accessible way how Statia played an historical role in the rise of the United States, but at the same time in the decline of the Dutch Republic.

  Statia wrote world history when nine cannon shots were fired from Fort Oranje on November 16, 1776, to greet the Andrew Doria, a ship flying the American flag which wanted to buy weapons and ammunition on the island. Johannes de Graaff was not only the governor on the island, but also one of the most important traders, something that would have major consequences.

  It was very common at the time that merchant ships fired a salute that was answered by the fort as a sign of friendship. However, the Andrew Doria was no longer a merchant ship, but converted into a warship. De Graaff must have known that, since he and other rich merchants on the island made good money from the legal, but especially from the illegal trade with the US. The Netherlands had promised England that it would remain neutral in the conflict with the American colonies, but for the English this was yet another proof of the unreliability of this ally.

  The salute that sounded from Fort Oranje on November 16, 1776 was the first time that the flag of the US was officially recognised by another country. I don’t think the governor realised the impact of his act at the time, but this First Salute is important in the history of the United States. Fort Oranje has a beautiful plaque, given by President Roosevelt in 1939, in which he thanked Johannes de Graaff for the recognition of his country, which had declared itself independent 200 years earlier.

  But De Graaff’s performance also heralded the end of St. Eustatius as a paradise for doubtful traders. The English used the First Salute to block the free port and to stop the trade. Admiral Rodney also bent the rules in his favour by appropriating part of the wealth. In De Gouden Rots, Willem de Bruin takes a close look at the double lives of directors and traders such as De Graaff and Rodney and how their greed destroyed themselves and the island.

  The “betrayal” of the First Salute also prompted the English to declare war on the unreliable Dutchmen, a battle that the militarily weak Republic could never win. This naval war (1780-1784) was disastrous for the Dutch trade and heralded the end of the once powerful Republic. However, this war was also extremely inconvenient for the English, because it diverted attention from the rebellious Americans, who were still fighting for their independence, which the US actually managed to achieve in 1783.

  Meanwhile, on Statia the English had been chased off the island by the French (allies of the Americans), who eventually gave the island back to the Netherlands. But with the end of the Dutch glory, the Statia free port also lost its importance. Moreover, the US could now do business with everyone and it no longer needed the Statian back door. Author De Bruin also extensively describes this decline of the island.

  It is also interesting to see how the same surnames appear in this history that now still play a major role on Statia, as well as on Saba and St. Maarten. A name such as Heyliger: Johan Heyliger was a descendant of Johannes de Graaff, who married a Maria Heyliger. These old families still have a lot of influence on the islands. Theo Heyliger was the most important politician on St. Maarten for years, until he recently had to resign because he is suspected of corruption.

  Last year, all political parties in The Hague decided to intervene on Statia because of “gross neglect of tasks.” The island is now run by a National Government Commissioner who has to reform the government and fight corruption. “The contrast between the poor present and the rich past could not be greater,” says Willem de Bruin. A wealth that, he shows at the same time, was based on colonialism and the slave trade and the greed of Dutch merchants.

  On November 16, 2026, it will be 250 years since the First Salute was fired from Fort Oranje and the US was officially recognized by another country for the first time. Last year I suggested celebrating this anniversary extensively, a plan that was adopted by the Dutch government and, as I learned, was also enthusiastically received in the US. De Gouden Rots shows that this history has many horrors, from slave trade and arms trade and the dubious behavior of Dutch traders. This history of Statia also shows the historical roots of the problems on this beautiful Island and why life here is not easy. As far as I’m concerned, that too will be part of the commemoration of the First Salute in 2026.

  This is also an extra opportunity for the Dutch government to invest in this neglected island and to ensure that by that time Statia is more caught up and the heads of state of the Netherlands and the US can visit a proud island.

Ronald van Raak

(Ronald van Raak is a Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament for the Socialist party (SP). He regularly sends contributions to the media. This time, it concerned a book review.)

Dear Editor,

In about two weeks I’m chairing the 4^th annual Caribbean Aviation Meetup conference on St. Maarten/St. Martin. I’m often asked for advice by speakers. Here we go. …

Many conferences suffer from boring presentations. Killer presentations are absolutely rare. Higher standards should be set. Those higher standards may be quite different than what you think. Get back to basics, be straightforward and use simplicity! Leonardo da Vinci once said: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Include unexpectedness, concreteness, credibility, emotions, and stories.

Make the audience look up to you by expressing what you have in your heart and mind rather than making them look at on-the-screen-projected numbers and texts. Tell them about your vision and how you come to conclusions. Tell them how you solve a problem.

When the audience notices that you have passion, they will appreciate you.

The “ooohs”, “ahas”, and “wows” come from what they didn’t expect, and never heard of before.

A superb presentation is when the microphone rocks and the audience gets to the edge of their seats. A killer presentation results in a rush to the stage by the attendees to talk to the speaker once he finishes.

Speaking is branding

You are branding yourself when you speak, so make sure you are unique and memorable.

Differentiate yourself!

If you don’t create a unique style compared to all the other presenters, the audience won’t remember you. Ask yourself some tough questions! Why would anyone care to come and listen to you? Because you think you are important? Oh boy, you may have a problem. Because you are an expert? Isn’t an expert a person who tells a simple thing in a confused way and in such a fashion as to make the listeners think that the confusion is the listener’s own fault?

Imagine if one of the attendees would stand up and interrupt you, “Mr. Speaker, look me in the straight in the eyes and say that you are convinced that what you are suggesting is right and if you cannot, may I suggest that you put some discipline in your wording.”

While you are preparing your presentation, just imagine that someone in the audience would interrupt you and say: “Mr. Speaker, this session is called “so-and-so”. You have just wasted a lot of time with introductions and things we really already know. You are supposed to have all the knowledge that we don’t have, so could you please offer us your wisdom and experience.” Would you be fireproof if you were grilled in this manner?

Attendees make an effort to come to a conference and they are entitled to a top performance.

Intermission

I had asked a friend of mine, Prissy, to accompany me to a conference where I had a speaking engagement on future aviation developments. While I went on stage to do my presentation, Prissy was searching for the perfect out-of-sight view and situated herself in front of a fire exit behind the audience. Being in the background is quite unusual for her and it is also difficult to go unnoticed anywhere, even standing behind an audience with all eyes on a presentation. She caught the attention of a security guard who approached her tiptoed. “Excuse me lady, but you cannot stand here; you are blocking the fire exit.” “Don’t be ridiculous, young man. I am not blocking anything; I have two legs and know how to use them in case of a fire. I am actually quite aware that I am extremely flammable myself in case of such an emergency, and so, I’ll be the first to escape. Besides, if you’re anticipating a disaster, don’t you think that you are a bit unprepared for a blazing incident? Your uniform will go up in flames just as quickly as my Versace dress. Shouldn’t you be dressed in a fireproof rubber suit with a yellow helmet on your head and an ax in your hand?” “Lady, don’t underestimate my authority. Do I have to call in re-enforcements to have you removed?” “You can call in the complete fire department as far as I’m concerned. It’s not me who’s igniting a problem here. It’s your duty to extinguish fires, not create them. You could have asked me politely and discretely to stand in another place, and I would have fairly considered to comply with your request.”

“Lady, you are challenging my patience!” The commotion in the back of the room had captured the audience’s attention and all eyes were now on Prissy and the fire marshal. To regain the attendees’ interest I cleared my throat, yet, before I could say something, the security guard escorted a resisting Prissy to the other side of the room. Realizing that the entire audience is observing her aggressive escort, Prissy then gives it a toothpaste smile, complies and acts like nothing happened.

As I proceeded with my presentation, the security guard said to Prissy, “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Prissy, wanting to slap him for making her look like circus act, replied: “All that was missing was a leash and a whip.”

Challenge your audience

I once had to make a presentation to a UNESCO assembly of scientists in Paris. I began by telling them that if I was not able to communicate the essentials of what my speech was about in 60 seconds, we might as well all go home right away. I sure had their attention from to start.

Limit your introduction. Don’t try to make the audience look up to you by presenting a checklist of achievements, or by quoting reports and conclusions of what others did. Long introductions may result in the audience thinking “half of his life he seemed successful, how come we’ve to listen to the other half?”

Don’t over-prepare when making a presentation. Some of the best presentations are by speakers being spontaneous and dynamic along their presentation.

Rhetorical questions encourage the listener to think about what is said. The question is intended as a challenge. Asking questions show self-confidence and that you are in control. Try this in the middle of your presentation: “You don’t believe me, do you?” (break, while looking around in the audience). “Well let me tell you …” and then continue. Or “If it was all up to me, do you know what I would do?” And continue. Rest assured that the audience will listen to the points that you want to get across.

You need to show character when presenting. Use sticky, compelling, and memorable messages.

PPT addiction

If you cannot speak without a PowerPoint Presentation, you are like a gourmet chef who cannot cook without a recipe book. A gourmet chef does what he does best: cooking, not reading.

PowerPoints can amplify your personality. I admit that if you are a good presenter, a supporting PowerPoint can make things great. Yet, a thing one sees all the time at conferences, that if speakers don’t have much to say for themselves they start using statistics. Worse are the slides with endless texts and then the speaker reads out loud what is seen on the screen. The audience isn’t there to read slides, they are there to listen to what is said. Slides are a primarily visual medium, with very few words.

Use text only to label new topics within your discussion or to emphasize a point that you want to make and such in no more than 10 words and combined with an awesome picture.

Last but not least

Pull all registers and give them all you have. The difference between a presentation and chocolate is that chocolate is always good.

Commander Bud Slabbaert

(Commander Bud Slabbaert is the initiator and coordinator of the annual Caribbean Aviation Meetup conference which will be held in St. Maarten/St. Martin, June 11-13 (www.caribavia.com). The international results- and solution-oriented event brings airlift stakeholders from both aviation and tourism industries, as well as government authorities together. Slabbaert’s background is accentuated by Business Development, Strategic Communication, and Journalism.)

Dear Editor,

  It was quite apparent to many that the Minister of TEATT [Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication – Ed.] evaded the question I posed during Friday’s Committee on TEATT meeting.

  Minister of TEATT Stuart Johnson stated during the meeting that the hiring process of the airport’s new CFO is in its final stages. I then asked the Minister if he thinks it is ethical to be finalizing the process of employing someone, without following the proper channels like advertising the vacancy in the newspaper, so that a local person could have the opportunity to apply. Minister Johnson broadly elucidated that he believes that the patrimony of local people should be protected.

  However, he never answered the question that was posed. When I asked for clarification and pointed out that the minister did not answer his question, the minister offensively said that he would “dumb-it-down” for me.

  It came as no surprise to me that the minister would stoop so low regarding a question that has the people of St. Maarten at the forefront. The Minister often gives broad responses that “sounds good” but have no substance and do not answer the questions posed by the Members of Parliament.

  Though the Minister stated that he believes that “the patrimony of the local people should be protected,” I challenge the honesty of this statement. It is clear that the Minister of TEATT together with other Ministers, are selling out our country one managerial position at a time. It is also clear that they do not consider the local people to be competent enough to hold these positions.

  If they do, then why are they so submissive to the Dutch government? Why did the Minister of TEATT allow Mr. Mingo to imply that our local people cannot hold the CFO position because they do not have the ability to crunch numbers? Why are they so lackadaisical and not fighting for the people which they swore to serve?

  The people are being left behind and forgotten time and time again. It’s really a sad situation. When the Minister stated that the hiring process of the CFO was in its final stages, I simply asked him if he thought that the process was done ethically, as it was not advertised for locals to apply. I asked this question because it became clear to me that yet again, the people of St. Maarten were being robbed of an opportunity in their own country. It really bothered me, so that is why I could not let the agenda point close without seeking clarity.

  The shareholder representative, which is the Minister of TEATT, is at the top of the chain-of-command. The Minister is then followed by the holding company (PJIAH) and then the operations company (PJIAE). Based on the chain-of-command, if there is an open vacancy on the managerial board, the Minister has a responsibility to instruct the Director of the holding company (PJIAH) to start the hiring process. Therefore, it is questionable that the Minister would imply that the hiring process has nothing to do with him. It seems as if Minister Johnson has no clue as to how the process goes, based on his distancing himself as if he is not at the helm.

  I suspect that the reason that the Minister avoided his question is because the position is already filled by a non-local candidate brought forward by the Dutch Government.

It is sad to witness the Minister’s lack of passion for our people.

  His deflection will not deter me from standing up for the people of St. Maarten and demanding answers to the questions that they deserve. I will continue to serve my country, focused and un-fazed.

Member of Parliament Egbert Doran

Dear Editor,

  Imagine if a natural disaster like a hurricane occurs and you can fix all the damage in one day. That would mean that the entire cost of the damage would be limited to the repair of the damage plus  the losses incurred on that one day.

  On the other hand, if the country closes down for a year the country would suffer losses due to the fact that revenues both public and private would stop and there would be a need for someone to cover the cost. not only of the hurricane damage but also the cost of being closed for a year. There would also be the added cost of further weather damage to vulnerable assets.

  Now imagine you are the decision maker of a donor country and you would like to support the rebuilding of an associated state in the Caribbean and you decide to donate US $525 million.

  It seems obvious that to provide the most value for your donation. the faster you get these funds injected into the economy. the less the losses through closure would be.

  Let us imagine that you are reluctant to execute the funds donation through government distribution because you have reason to believe that the funds will not reach their intended goals and be misspent. Let’s use the broad term “leakage” to describe the percentage of funds that would not reach their intended and effective destination.

  The ultimate question for this planning challenge is to know the relationship between the total value of the “leakage” compared to the cost of a delay of the injection into the economy of the funds. It seems reasonable to expect that the donor country has considered this matter and used it as a factor in its determination of policy.

  It is unquestionably true that donor countries know that a degree of “leakage” is inevitable in the same manner that an administrative cost is to be expected.

  If this example were to be that of St. Maarten and the Netherlands. the kingdom partners. this discussion should be able to be honestly carried on. And this discussion must be on the basis of the best hard data available. This data can only come from St. Maarten which collects and manages the data on economic activity in St. Maarten and from the finance ministry which provides figures on public sector revenues.

  This is why I am calling on the Ministries of TEATT [Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication – Ed.] and Finance in St. Maarten to provide usable data that can show how the losses through delay compare to the “leakage” so that we can all judge the quality of the decisions made on the basis of the best evidence.

  We then should have a good discussion with our kingdom partners in the context of the mutual support on the best planning for natural disaster damage minimalization.

  Would anybody deny that this would be a useful and productive discussion for all parties?

Robbie Ferron