Dear Editor,
The recent decolonization debate will surely bring forth the usual parade of charlatans and “quick buck” artists who wish to exploit the gullibility and general lack of information regarding decolonization. Here’s a quick test that governments can use to separate the “wheat from the chaff”. These charlatans are aware that if they are foreign, anything they peddle will be accepted by gullible governments. That is why the Caribbean, in general, tends to be a gold mine for foreign “experts and consultants.” Pro Soualiga is here to help avoid falling into that trap.
1) According to the UN, which 4 items will have to be changed for St. Maarten to be considered decolonized?
2) Can you explain why St. Maarten is not on the list of United Nations Non-Self-Governing Territories list?
3) Name the other territories that were decolonized in the same decade as St. Maarten (former Netherlands Antilles).
4) What are the key, critical differences between their resolutions and Resolution 945 (X). Why is this important?
5) What is the main argument in the “Written Statement of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Antilles” and what logical conclusion does it lead to concerning the Kingdom Charter?
6) In which document and in which paragraph can the recent admission regarding Article 73 of the UN Charter by the Dutch State be found?
If the “expert” or “consultant” or, perhaps even government itself is not aware of this material, avoid being entrapped. If the “expert” cannot answer these questions without hesitation, there are legal grounds to demand a refund based on “fraud and misrepresentation.” Usually, the threat to report the matter to this expert’s bar association is enough to make them cough up any funds collected.
Pro Soualiga challenged the Dutch State in court with these same questions. They too, with all their money and vast resources could not answer or, ran away from answering, relying on their judges to bail them out instead. It was only when finally cornered that they admitted what they had been hiding for 65 years: The United Nations General Assembly never issued a resolution declaring that the former Netherlands Antilles were decolonized.
Pro Soualiga Foundation
Dear Editor,
After every hurricane by which the island was struck, no matter the devastation, we, the people that believe in St. Maarten, always show our resilience and bounce back. Yes, we do get help to assist initially but, as though it is instinct, we do rebuild our country and get our economy up and running in a relatively short time.
Perhaps we should consider the constant delays in receiving liquidity loans to be a blessing in disguise. Although many people are struggling, the country is still surviving. Perhaps it is because that is what we do and that is what we are made of.
The financial assistance that we have received thus far is an accumulation of loans that must be repaid. In fact, these loans become payable as per April 2022,unless the Netherlands decides to extend the payment arrangements. Be that as it may, we must bear in mind that we will have to generate the funds to repay our debts from within our economy. Maybe it is not a bad thing that we are forced to do with less. It should be seen as something we can learn from.
Our assertiveness may sometimes be perceived as bold, but it is actually a reflection of our strength which increases by the day. We are partners in the Dutch Kingdom. Equal partners, but not with equal equity, which confuses the conversation. But, whether we like it or not, that is the constitutional structure that is cemented in the Kingdom Charter. A Kingdom with partners that may require assistance from time to time, partners with different cultures, partners who sometimes do not speak the same language. But we are partners that share a joint history, yet our differences often present obstacles in our relationship. Despite all of this, we must be able to count on one another and that we be fair to each other.
Our country must be able to stand on its own. Our continuous proclamations of doom and gloom after 10-10-10 show that many of us do not truly believe in St. Maarten, but are merely here to benefit from the good ride as long as others are towing the vessel.
Our continuous efforts to belittle our own and to label them as corrupt and other sorts of degrading names, show that the people of this country do not understand the true meaning of being a patriot. Yes, I admit that some have made mistakes, but a few rotten apples do not spoil the whole bunch.
If you do not believe that we can stand on our own in our own country and you are not willing to work towards standing on our own, then I truly believe that you do not belong here; born here or not. Every country has naysayers, those who preach doom and gloom, corrupt politicians, law enforcement officials, businessmen and women, and others. But, that should not stand in the way of remaining patriotic to the country we call home. If that is not St. Maarten then I’m sure after reading the above you will draw your own conclusion.
Why do we continue to beg to be dependent while we know we have the ability to stand on our own? The recent presentation to parliament by the Chamber of Commerce revealed that after Hurricane Irma in September 2017, 1584 new businesses were established of which 641 were sole proprietors, a clear indication that we want to and are able to invest in our own country, thus building our economy.
Claudius Buncamper
Member of Parliament
Dear Editor,
By now I think that the greater deal of the world has heard that experience is the best teacher. Sometimes I ponder on this because of all the sayings in the book of Proverbs. But then I am at limbo because of the saying children grow up to become what they see and not what you tell them. So I decided to challenge your readers to compare what is in the book of Proverbs to the following sayings.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
The bullet in a gun will never kill someone unless the finger pulls the trigger.
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel.
A wise fish that sees a beautiful bait that is easy to swallow knows that a sharp hook is attached to it.
I can be changed by what you do to me, but I refuse to be reduced to it.
Your real strength lies in your ability to contain your emotions, not your ability to express them.
An axe which challenges a stone to a fight suffers a blunt edge.
A drunken man’s words are a sober man’s thoughts.
Do not pretend to be what you do not prepare to be.
Half the truth is a whole lie.
Feeling sorry for oneself is one of the most pitiful excuses one could have for oneself.
Never reply when you are angry; never make a promise when you are happy, never make a decision when you are sad.
If we accept that children become what they see rather than what they are told, would I be wrong in assuming that the predicament that Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten are going through is what they have seen Holland do or not do over the years? I am thinking, for example, about everything that has to do with public transportation in St. Maarten, a colony, dependent and Kingdom partner of the number one country in the world where public transportation infrastructure is concerned.
The only people you should get even with are those who helped you.
So, who really helped who?
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
On May 23, a fighter jet intercepted Ryanair Flight 4978 as it was about to exit Belarus’s airspace en route from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania. Citing a supposed bomb threat (apparently contrived by regime agents on board the plane), Belarus air traffic control ordered the Boeing 737 to turn around and land in Minsk.
I am a constant listener of your morning radio program and I do believe that you are a motivational speaker. I grew up with a father at home and all what you speak I heard it from him before. For example: Education and work hard for what you want.
My observation is that your focus is mainly on Dutch-side politics when it comes to your interviews. My suggestion is to interview more politicians from the French side as well, so we can also be informed of what is happening on the French side.
For instance, French Quarter needs cleaning up. My now-deceased grandparents were from French Quarter. As a child, my siblings and I spent time with our grandparents in French Quarter. Back then it was a very clean district.
The former cultural center is an eyesore. I ask myself which politician is responsible for French Quarter. So, I ask of you to please invite the politician who is over this district to have an interview and explain what are the plans for French Quarter. It has been long overdue.
Thank you.
Mavis Arrindell
