### Wednesday August 27, 2008 ###
Duncan: ‘Changes in Winair protocol
against Council of Ministers decision’
~ Bank clears way for positive advice on Letter of Comfort ~
PHILIPSBURG--The Directorate of Finance has issued a positive advice to grant Windward Islands International Airways Winair a Letter of Comfort. Meanwhile, the Executive Council of St. Maarten signed the June 23 draft protocol between the Island territory of St. Maarten, the Central Government and Winair for the transfer of shares and to deal with the NAf. 1.4 million loan received from Bonaire Belegging en Participatie Maatchappij (BBPM).
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Parliament approves
law on self defence
~ Info campaign will follow ~
WILLEMSTAD--It has taken three years, but Parliament unanimously approved the law on self-defence in its public meeting on Tuesday.
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DP supports approval of
supplementary budget
PHILIPSBURG--Parliament has agreed to raise government’s loan ceiling by NAf. 550 million so it can refinance expiring loans. The supplementary budget regulating the loan ceiling increase was approved with twelve votes in favour and three against.
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SLAC reports increase in
yachts entering lagoon
~ Marine Trades claim new fees driving away business ~
SIMPSON BAY--Amidst outcry from St. Maarten Maritime Trade Association (SMMTA) that the new harbour and port fees implemented on January 1 are driving yachts away to less expensive destinations, a slight increase in the number of transiting boats entering the lagoon has been recorded for the first seven months of this year.
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Churches support Leeflang’s
appeal on same-sex marriages
~ Signed and sent support letter yesterday ~
PHILIPSBURG--Backing Health Minister Omayra Leeflang’s appeal against the court decision that same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands must be recognised in the Netherlands Antilles, representatives of St. Martin United Ministerial Foundation, the St. Maarten Council of Churches and the Seventh Day Adventist Churches signed and sent off a support letter to the Minister yesterday.
(click headline for more)
Gay marriages are not the
issue here, says Leeflang
~ Says Leeflang about move to the Supreme Court ~
SCHIPHOL AIRPORT--Antillean Minister of Education Omayra Leeflang said on Tuesday that the disagreement with the Dutch Government was not about same-sex marriages or homosexual emancipation. “It is a legal, constitutional matter. We want a clear, objective interpretation of the law.”
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