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Bijleveld optimistic about 10-10-‘10- after election result |
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Written by amigoe.com
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Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:03 |
www.sxmislandtime.com
WILLEMSTAD - State-Secretary Ank Bijleveld-Schouten (Kingdom Relations, CDA) is pleased with the outcome of the States-elections, and congratulates Emily de Jongh-Elhage.
She has complete confidence in the outcome of the upcoming referendum on Bonaire, after this election result. Bijleveld is also confirmed in her optimism on the feasibility of 10-10-’10.
“One must always await such an election, but this is truly a very good result for the incumbent Antillean Premier, who had made the political process and the future the main issue of the elections. One observes that the majority of the people had supported that – for that matter not only on Curaçao, but also on St. Maarten and the other islands” according to Bijleveld before the Dutch radio station Radio 1.
Bijleveld is optimistic about the feasibility of 10-10-‘10. “That’s when we will dismantle the Netherlands Antilles together. There is complete devotion to achieve such. We have the legislation in progress, which had even been dealt with in the Lower Chamber for the three exceptional municipalities, and everything is targeted towards realizing that 10-10-’10. It will not be easy, and we have to work very hard at this, but it is feasible.”
On the referendum on Bonaire, she states before Radio 1, “I have not seen the relevant presentation of the question yet. You cannot bring up our agreements of 2006 for discussion again. However, you could ask whether it has been worked out well, in which case there is nothing against a referendum. However, we will be treating the legislation. One island cannot stand in the way of the other islands.”
Bijleveld has already stopped the payment of arrears on Bonaire. “An overwhelming majority supports me on the matter that the basic agreements should be acknowledged. However, you could talk about whether a thing or two has been worked out well, if there should be more autonomy for Bonaire. I am more than willing to talk. As they do not wish to talk at this moment, I told them it is a total package and in that case, we will omit the arrears for the moment.”
Warning
Via the radio on the Election Day, Bijleveld threatened to terminate the debt-reconstruction if one would not continue with the total agreed package. “One can simply not remove one stone from the package.” The amount of 1.7 billion euros would not easily be made available with re-negotiations either. Bijleveld: However, what I have heard on the part of Mr. Cooper is that he wants the debt-reconstruction, but no soundness of administration, no agreements on judicature, on the police, and that is simply not possible, because one had agreed on a total package. Furthermore, the debt-reconstruction which is really essential to give the countries a new start, belongs with the other concluded agreements.”
Balkenende
The Dutch Premier Jan Peter Balkenende had also uttered an indirect warning, even though BVN/World Broadcast had broadcasted the interview at ten o’clock local time, long after the closing of the polling stations.
It said he found it peculiar that the opposition on Curaçao wanted to talk about the concluded agreements again with the Dutch government, if they would win the elections. “A good result was reached, leaving this intact.” On re-negotiations, he said: “It is risky. The Dutch government went to considerable lengths to reach agreements. The island had substantial debts, which the Dutch government has taken over. It is odd to assume that everything could be re-negotiated now. It is risky to ditch everything and will not benefit the population.”
Politicians are talking about re-colonization, which Balkenende finds a ‘strange’ argument. The status of Aruba was different at the time. We are currently talking about a new relation. St. Maarten and Curaçao also want such a separate status. Saba, St. Eustatius and Bonaire will have a direct connection with the Netherlands. We will consult together on the new relations.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:10 |
