St. Maarten Private Eye

St. Maarten seeking
associated statehood
~ Residents asked to sign petition ~

PHILIPSBURG--The recent trip of Commissioners Sarah Wescot-Williams (Constitutional Affairs) and Roy Marlin (Tourism) to New York was not just to talk to media mogul Rupert Murdoch. With negotiations with the Netherlands, the Antillean Government and Curaçao on St. Maarten becoming an autonomous country in the Dutch Kingdom becoming more and more difficult, the island’s political leaders are seriously considering the option of US associated statehood, like what Puerto Rico currently has.

Exploratory talks have already taken place with US State Department officials, who are said to be open to the idea, also because of the number of US citizens with property on the island. The United Nations in New York has been informed and the plan is to officially inform the Dutch Government during the current visit of Kingdom Relations State Secretary Ank Bijleveld-Schouten to Curaçao.

Legal residents, whether Dutch citizens or not, are being asked to indicate their support for the idea by signing a petition at the office of Commissioner Marlin today, Tuesday, and tomorrow, Wednesday, from 9:00am. This petition will be forwarded to the Kingdom Government and Queen Beatrix. Those wishing to sign have been asked to show up with valid identification cards.

Talk of St. Maarten seeking closer ties to the US has been going on for some time, partly because of the large US influence on the island. Considering the current problems experienced in constitutional talks for St. Maarten to become a country, local leaders consider the time right to seek alternatives.

The United Nations reportedly does not have a big problem with the idea, because it falls within the realm of “free association.” The Hague is not expected to object too much either, because it is occupied with the ABC islands and the Chavez factor, as well as taking over the BES islands Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.

Associated statehood would also imply that US Customs would take over in guarding the Dutch-side borders, something the Dutch Government considers a major issue. It would also mean pre-clearance by both US Customs and Immigration for travellers returning to the US, something Aruba has found to be very beneficial to its tourism industry.