Dear Editor,
We herewith would like to bring attention to an urgent emerging undemocratic development in the Southern Caribbean. On November 20, 2018, the illegally deposed government of Sint Eustatius will be in the Court of First Instance in Sint Maarten against the Dutch government to plead and fight for their fundamental democratic and inalienable right to a full measure of self-government according to the Charter of the United Nations.
Earlier this year, in February, the Dutch government, headed by the new Dutch State Secretary of Kingdom Relations, Mr. Knops, an experienced ex-military lieutenant colonel who was active in the Iraq war, through an undemocratic decision and action by the Dutch parliament landed with 40 policemen and a navy vessel in the harbour of Sint Eustatius. Abusing their power, they overthrew the local legitimate democratic elected government and appointed a non-democratic ruler and governor to govern the island of Sint Eustatius.
Further on last week the Dutch government under threat and intimidation, if not they will take further actions, within a 24-hour notice deadline forced the local government of Bonaire to surrender their limited local powers back to the Dutch government and are now the same as Sint Eustatius, completely back under Dutch rule. A not-elected administrator or liaison is appointed over the democratically elected local government to govern the island of Bonaire. This colonial ruler, same as in Sint Eustatius, is only accountable and reporting to the Dutch government in the Hague.
Hence the locally-elected government on Bonaire has been degraded to a passive spectator on its own island. The democratic power of the local population has been neutralized by an open immigration policy, increase as high as 400% in immigration of non-Bonerians, mostly European Dutch with the power to vote in 3 months in our local elections. At this rate at the moment, the Bonerians have become a minority on their own island, representing about one-third of the population and are on the sure path of a systematic extermination process. A humble, friendly nation will be extinct within one or two decades if we do not get intervention or help from the international community and/or from our Caribbean brothers and sisters.
These actions, a clear re-enacting of an aggressive colonial agenda of the Dutch to the Caribbean has been systematically kept out of the attention of the international community and the international and regional press.
This letter serves as a serious warning to all Caribbean nations that colonialism has returned to the Caribbean in a modernized institutionalized form. Our sister islands of Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten are on the same path to be recolonized administratively by the Hague. On these islands the Hague took control over their internal matters by appointing a non-democratic supervisory financial board deciding over the islands’ budget, parliaments and governments. Same is the case with the judiciary system which is under control of the Hague deciding who will be politically targeted and prosecuted if not collaborating with the Dutch agenda.
This letter serves as a serious warning to all Caribbean nations and organizations that are working towards a Caribbean unity and integration, that colonialism has returned to the Caribbean in a more aggressive form. Our indigenous local Caribbean peoples are the target of an ethnic-cleansing process. Our land and natural resources have been repossessed by the colonizing administrative power.
Our hope is that all Caribbean nations and leadership will stand together as one voice, showing solidarity towards us, rejecting the recolonization of your fellow Caribbean peoples and
especially supporting the courageous democratically-elected government and peoples of Sint Eustatius that will be in court against continuation of Dutch colonialism.
Faithfully yours,
James Finies, president Foundation We Want Bonaire Back
Dear Editor,
People like to look at water. They like to sit near water, wander near water, talk to their lovers near water and take pictures of each other near water. The most attractive destinations have Malecons or walks along rivers, canals or lakes. Smart public authorities have optimized their waterside areas and have seen benefits in both domestic and foreign tourist traffic and clear results of such planning have been seen in Paris and London as well as many other territories have enhanced their attractiveness to domestic and international tourism .
One of the great advances of Sint Maarten is the building of the boardwalk, even though it went together with much controversy and preservation rhetoric. But in retrospect we can all agree that the boardwalk is now one of the positives of an otherwise diminished Phillipsburg.
Ironically by the time the boardwalk was built the momentum of growth had swung to Simpson Bay where the “strip” was booming. Clearly one of the reasons for its boom was the easy access to the Simpson Bay beach and the Simpson Bay lagoon. And whilst the Simpson Bay strip is still active, public access to the water is reducing. All the waterside real estate is blocking the public view of the water and eventually it will not be obvious to the visitor on the road that he or she is in fact close to the water.
It would be in the general interest if planning authorities were to make efforts to create more public access to water in the Simpson Bay area. It will benefit all parties.
Robbie Ferron
Dear Editor,
Wednesday and Thursday last week were – if I’m right – the first days with 5 and 6 cruise ships in the harbor this year. The expectations were high among the business people along the boardwalk. I know at least several hiring an extra DJ to facilitate the 30,000 tourists to come. To surprise of many almost half of the beach chairs on the Great Bay beach were finally not rented. The boardwalk was not that crowded as expected. Okay, the weather was pretty cloudy the Wednesday morning but still, it was dry with no threatening really dark clouds.
Last Sunday there were 2 ships in. Half of the shops on Back Street were closed. It was quiet on Back Street. There were not many people walking around, even with two ships in.
I met around 1:00pm one of the shop owners (clothing) who was open. I told him being surprised that it was so quiet in town. “Sir, I’m open all day. You are my first client today,” he answered. He told me being in St. Maarten for 20 years that this experience was new to him.
The only explanation he could think of was the fact that cruise people, after doing the tour/excursion they booked, are returning to the ships and stay there, not coming to town.
I also have the impression that more than in the past more people remain on board of the ships, not leaving the cruise ship at all.
One thing is for sure, before Hurricane Irma the situation was different.
I’m curious what other reasons are causing the reduction of cruise ship visitors to Philipsburg, in comparison to before the hurricane. Anyone, any additional suggestions?
Name withheld at author's request.
Dear Editor,
The title may sound dumb, but I must borrow this line from MP Christophe Emmanuel, who uses it a lot when he is trying to untangle a situation. It is a line that has infiltrated my thoughts for some time and is refusing to leave. Has this been the case for the public as well; where their mind seeks clarity to some weird circumstances that just don’t make sense at all, or are referred to as nine days talk?
How is it possible that the Prosecutor’s Office can confiscate a boat that belongs to someone who is suspected of fraud, and that person turns around and moves it from the impounded location to elsewhere? What was on that boat that warranted the risk to steal it, without the fear of getting caught and the worries of receiving additional punishment? Or, was the boat really protected as intended by the judiciary?
Ironically, the other day when government was about to tumble down, it is alleged that this suspected fraudster was the deal-breaker between the opposition and some renegades from UD. Luckily, one opposition member refused to sign on to this continuous manipulation of these economic hit-men, who are designing and controlling the formations of governments. To this MP I give credit for exercising some semblance of integrity.
Consistently, the public is inundated with sentiments of dissatisfaction with this coalition from the opposition; yet, the level of wheeling and dealing has multiplied, especially since certain Members of the Council are being accused of misconduct. Not surprisingly, the most tenacious enticers are the younger MPs. Why is that? Are they being groomed or the mindset was already shaped, prior to their position?
People, don’t be fooled by pretty talk. Their performances may be glamorous, but ultimately, it’s like drinking poison from a golden cup.
This is why Ronald van Raak can write an article like the one that appeared in The Daily Herald on Monday, November 12 – one that reminded us of the corruption that is still permeating the political apparatus. And more disheartening, for the greater part, these traitors are not willing to make any changes to their behaviour, even if they are being closely monitored.
Take note of the recent luncheon date that occurred between an MP from NA and one from UD. When the public remarked that there will be a new formation which includes NA, what was the response of the UD member? He declared that the luncheon was a casual meeting to discuss the passing of his mentor. Interestingly, just a week ago, the truth that was rumored all along slipped out unexpectedly. This is what happens when a liar cannot lie.
The population is puzzled by the inaction of the UD leader towards the TEATT Minister, particularly to give an account to Parliament and to ask for his resignation after such shameful scandal. Although the Minister carries the responsibility for his negligence in both instances, the baffling question is: What are the benefits to the MP, to select and keep the Minister in this non-productive position?
These locally-termed nine days talks can be very troubling, especially when children are involved. In February of this year, a student from the Dr. Martin Luther King Primary School went missing for about four days. After hearing the terrible news, the community assisted the family in the search to locate the boy. Surprisingly, the then principal of the school remained silent, even though he was on island throughout the ordeal.
Where was he and why was he not part of the search team – a principal who always took the shine from his teachers, every time there was an opportunity to be in the media? Since this
mystery took place, the population have not heard one word about the wellbeing of the child. Why is the public so passive when the lives of children are endangered – youngsters who will be given the torch to carry on the legacy of nation-building?
Then a few months ago, a little boy died of suspected drug intake and that seemed to be a dead case as well. Who is really looking out for the welfare of children, when so many inquiries to their dilemmas remain unanswered? Moreover, why is the opposition so desperate to get back in government and why are Golden Boy and crew are playing such a dirty game? I cannot get it understand!
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
Most people are looking for peace, unfortunately only few will find peace. The reason is you can only have peace if righteousness is established. This may be a shock to you, but Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but He did not come to make peace in this world.
Righteousness is the quality of being morally right or justifiable. Matthew 10:34. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. The peace of God surpasses all understanding. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God. Peace is not the absence of strife, fear of something or someone. It can seem peaceful, but it is a false peace. Peace is not total security or lack of responsibility or tranquillity.
Christianity is living in peace with God and solving the challenges in life through God. You can be in the storm of life and have peace with God, living happily. Peace is to let God control your life and let God’s will be done. You will never have peace living in adultery, fornication, homosexuality, stealing, murder, paedophilia, abortion and lying. You can never have world peace if you endorse a government that makes sin legal. (abortion and homosexuality and promote wickedness). You can never have peace accepting sin and promoting sin in life.
Peace is only established when you surrender to God. Only God can approve peace, peace is made only for people who let Christ live in them and allow God to rule their life. The truth is that I just learned this, because I have not totally surrendered my life to Christ yet. Having hatred and racism in your heart for people will never give you peace. But the most difficult thing for most people is to forgive. If we do not forgive and it is difficult, we will never find peace.
Peace is the consequence of something. Peace is established through righteousness when your conscience is clean. You can never get peace by continually living in sin and justifying sin. Until you turn away from sin and repent of your sin and confess it and reconcile with Christ that is when peace is established. Only righteousness will establish peace. In fact, only the righteous people shall be saved, because it is those who endure until the end. The good Book says put on the whole armour of God and fight the good fight.
The conclusion is peace will never become reality or possible without living and accepting Christ as your Lord and saviour.
The Patriot Miguel Arrindell
