~ Calls on govt to close ranks with opposition ~
PHILIPSBURG--October 10 as the date for St. Maarten to become a country within the Dutch Kingdom and not the quest for country status is in danger with the fall of the fourth Balkenende cabinet on Saturday, opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Sarah Wescot-Williams said Sunday.
The Dutch cabinet crisis "spells trouble for the constitutional process. While all indications of the last couple of weeks pointed in the direction of a cabinet crisis in the Netherlands, it is rather unfortunate that this happens now," the island councilwoman said in a press release.
However, Constitutional Affairs Minister Roland Duncan National Alliance (NA) refuses to dwell on the situation. He believes that 10-10-10 will remain firm, although there may be some slowing down of the constitutional change process on the Dutch side. (See related story).
The past week also "revealed a rift" between the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament and now caretaker Dutch State Secretary of Kingdom affairs, Ank Bijleveld-Schouten, on the handling of the Consensus Kingdom Laws. The second chamber is set to deal with these laws on April 6.
Bijleveld-Schouten's opinion is that if 10-10-10 is to be achieved, the Second Chamber needs to handle these laws as soon as possible. However, the Second Chamber members believe they should set their own agenda.
"The parliament hinted to the handling of these laws in April, at the same time, wanting to visit the islands during the month of April and preferably before they deal with the draft laws. All of this is now up in the air," Wescot-Williams stated.
The Second Chamber has raised doubt about St. Maarten's readiness to become a country within the Dutch Kingdom. The opposition leader expects that these doubts will be raised again, during the handling of the law in April.
"The government of St. Maarten's 'we are not ready' admission has surely not helped in this respect. No party in the Netherlands is eager to wage a battle in St. Maarten's defence. There wasn't one before and there surely is none now," Wescot-Williams pointed out.
The island's best bet under these circumstances is to "close ranks" on the constitutional process. "...with closing ranks, I do not mean a picture of government and opposition sitting shoulder to shoulder at a meeting of the Political Steering Group. This is purely cosmetic," she said.
Wescot-Williams said government should close ranks with the opposition to establish a position on currency and constitution for country St. Maarten, the island budget, Good Governance Laws as prepared by the former DP government and announced by the (NA)/Heyliger coalition in July 2009; justice matters, taxes and health.
"We need to pursue that quest [for country status] with all that we have and with all who we have, so that together we can shoulder any disappointment coming our way and remain determined and adamant to see the process to its end," the former leader of government said.
