Wescot-Williams says mission
to the Netherlands successful
THE HAGUE--Constitutional Affairs Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams considers her “mission” in the Netherlands “successful.” During the last five days she spoke to several Dutch politicians about the process of St. Maarten attaining country status by December 15.
“I have spoken to the most important actors and informed them about the steps St. Maarten has been taking. They all were very interested, welcomed us and gave us advice,” the Commissioner stated in an Antillean House press release issued on Thursday (see related story).
The WODC report and what St. Maarten has been doing about law enforcement in preparation for when it obtains country status were also extensively discussed.
Wescot-Williams was accompanied by advisor Richard Gibson and spoke with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, State Secretary of Kingdom Relations Ank Bijleveld-Schouten, Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch-Ballin, vice-president of the Council of State Herman Tjeenk Willink and Parliamentarians John Leerdam, Willibrord van Beek (Chairman of the Permanent Committee Antillean and Aruban Affairs of the Second Chamber), Johan Remkes, Alexander Pechtold, Cynthia Ortega-Martijn, Bas-Jan Bochove and Atzo Nicolaï.
