Commissioner ‘holds her heart’
for constitutional change process
PHILIPSBURG--Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Monday she was “holding her heart” for the constitutional change process.
She made her comments in light of the political developments and withdrawal of support of at least one Commissioner from the current Democratic Party-led government.
She said she hoped the political crisis would be solved as soon as possible so “others” wouldn’t have to step in and decide to institute some measure to run the island.
The Commissioner said discussions between Curaçao and the Central Government on the dismantling process had hit a snag and matters did not bode well for the envisaged date of January 1, 2010, for constitutional change.
“It’s something St. Maarten needs to stay on top of. It does not come as a big surprise that all parties are not ready for the dismantling to take place so the new status can go into effect by January 1, 2010.”
Constitutional Affairs Minister Roland Duncan refuted Wescot-Williams statements, saying the discussions had not hit a snag. He said there was a difference of opinion between Curaçao and the Central Government on the transfer of personnel, but workgroups had been established to further discuss the matter in the hope that an agreement would be reached on November 24, when a political consultation on the phased dismantling among all Antillean entities is scheduled to take place in St. Maarten.
The Central Government met with Curaçao last week Friday and is scheduled to meet with the St. Maarten Executive Council today, Wednesday on the same topic of phased dismantling. Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage, Duncan, Justice Minister David Dick and Minister Maurice Adriaens are expected to be present during today’s meeting.
