Ideals of Treaty of Concordia
contrasting with troubled times
MARIGOT--Forceful speeches by Préfet Délégué Dominique Lacroix and President Frantz Gumbs set the tone for a re-evaluation of attitudes towards joint cooperation in the light of troubling events affecting both sides of the island in the last two weeks, foremost of which has been the sudden escalation of violent crime.
The French side hosted the St. Martin/St. Maarten Day activities this year which saw the traditional speeches held for the first time in the Thelbert Carti Stadium in French Quarter. This year marked the 360th anniversary of the Treaty of Concordia signing and as a reminder of its famous principles the text was read out in full.
Préfet Lacroix drove home an undiluted message that all was not well on the security front, citing a lack of harmonisation in regulations as one factor complicating matters of governance.
“This day must be the opportunity to realise that current cooperation is not enough,” he said. “I hope you go home today realising there is much more to do, and that we must implement real cooperation urgently for St. Martin’s sake.”
Acknowledging that the island has changed greatly through development, he said the absence of a border, controls, and uniformity in regulations allowed mal-intentioned persons to cheat or commit increasingly violent crimes while perpetuating the delinquency situation.
“Free circulation must not imply dealers, criminals, can escape prosecution,” he added. “Some progress has already been made in cooperation between administrative leaders. I wish the joint control of arrivals at Princess Juliana Airport could be a reality today and I wish the treaty on police cooperation can be validated quickly. The Gendarmerie, Immigration, and police from both sides are keen to act together.”
President Frantz Gumbs said, “The same old speeches calling for cooperation, unity, and love,” are still necessary as the spirit of the Treaty of Concordia must live on, as it embodies the “essence of our being.”
“We must think in terms of better sharing of our common resources, and in helping one another in health and security, both internally and at our ports of entry,” he said. “We must seek means to harmonise our respective legislation.”
“The spirit of the Concordia Treaty is where we find our values of solidarity, tolerance, and friendship which some may say we have become victims of. Three hundred and sixty years marks the end of a 360 degree cycle and a beginning of a new era. Can we now envisage new opportunities, a new dawn for St. Martin?”
Senator Louis-Constant Fleming noted historically whenever regional governments imposed authority, such as St. Martin becoming a Commune under Guadeloupe in 1946 the island entered “troubled waters” whereas prior to this the island managed relatively well. He said the St. Martin/St. Maarten celebration should also include the nearby islands because as a region they are socially and economically important, and have family ties.
Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards noted there are a number of treaties on formal cooperation that are being enacted or in the process of being validated. These include Customs, immigration control, maritime boundaries, and police cooperation.
He echoed the sentiments of previous speakers in addressing the need to jointly tackle crime.
“Crime threatens our well being and forces us to look at our future in a different light. Action is required. We must put forward an initiative of strengthened partnership action involving our communities in cooperation with Government and non-governmental agencies. Our partners in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and those of the Republic of France must also live up to their responsibilities towards the island’s safety and security.”
Dutch side Leader of Government Sarah Wescot-Williams admitted the south side was facing its share of “challenges.”
“Political agendas can have grave consequences,” she said. “It is a bad time to be in this situation, but bad times will pass and have a way of fixing themselves. The interest of the country must come first. Political ambitions generate strong feelings, but sincerity and an interest in general well being usually conquer in the long run and we will be stronger for it.”
Joining elected officials from both sides of the island at the wreath-laying ceremony earlier at the French Quarter border monument were dignitaries from the region. These included Governor General of the Netherlands Antilles Frits Goedgedrag, President of the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles Pedro Atacho, Lt. Governor of Saba Jonathan Johnson, President of the Collectivité of St. Barths Bruno Magras, the Governor of Anguilla, and Anguilla’s Minister of Finance Victor Banks.
Two musicians from the Paul Emmanuel School of Music played the respective anthems. The ceremony was followed by a parade of troupes along the RN7 towards the stadium.
