St. Maarten Private Eye

OPEN LETTER TO
Prime-minister BALKENENDE

Thanks on behalf of native-indigenous St. Martin people- and other law-abiding citizens.

It hit the island like a bomb…
Many are still in a state of shock- and denial….
Some are seeing their dreams of becoming the ‘Friendly-island’s first this-, and first that- going up in flames, perhaps beyond ‘repairs’….
But then again-, for others- if not for most St. Martiners-, and Antilleans, it was a long hoped for- and awaited deliverance from the ‘clutches’ of power-struck village politicians…….
The speech of ‘Jan-Peter’, as he is called in Holland.
For those who are ignorant of who this person is.
Prof. mr. dr. Jan-Peter BALKENENDE, Prime-minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The irony of it all ?
Our organization has said it over- and repeatedly-, but then who are we in the eyes of our ‘leaders’ ?
This time around-, it came directly from the ‘horse’s mouth’.
From none other than ‘Jan-Peter’, Prime-minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom, our leaders so desperately want to become a ‘country’ in.
Well of course-, ‘Jan -Peter’ did not rule that out in his speech-, held very symbolically in the court-house (oftentimes a ‘pit-stop’ destination ‘Pointe Blanche) of the ‘Friendly island’.
However, in his words ‘To be frank, we are not there yet. We still have a long way to go to achieve this ideal’
To put it bluntly-, ‘country status St. Maarten’ or-, the ‘Brave New World’-, to quote our local ‘award-winning-talk show-host, will not be achieved come December 15, 2008- and perhaps not even ‘come a long time’.
Of course-, there are those, who now come out of the ‘woodwork-‘ and speak of disgrace-, of neo-colonial White rule using biblical references- and the like.
May they are right- which most probably is the case.
But who brought it upon us ?
Who is reacting- rather that pro-acting ?
Who did not see it all coming ?
What options- opportunities did we de facto leave the ‘Dutch’ ?
For sure we can not- and will not blame them….
After all-, more than any other organization-, we have constantly pressured the Dutch- to do what was responsible- logical- and ethical…not necessarily nice- or not necessarily popular, in order to clean up the ‘mess’ (puinhoop) the ‘Friendly island’ is in.
NO ‘new status’ for the ‘Friendly island’ without pre-conditions was our constant call- and urge.
Conditions- that in fact would be aimed at securing in general democratic rule, including transparent- and accountable Governance…….
Conditions that would secure the very existence of we-, the native-indigenous St. Martin people ( which many people had already declared ‘it was too late’)……
Conditions that would create a dynamic- and harmonious balance between the socio-economical interests between all stakeholders……..
Remember our ‘mantra’ to Government for considering our proposal for a ‘MARSHALL PLAN or any other similar concept to ensure ‘balance’ ?.............
Remember the arrogance of our present Government towards our pleas-, and towards the cries of the native-indigenous St. Martiners ?................
Remember also-, a millionaire ‘commish’, publicly wondering ‘ Who is a St. Martiner ?.....
Remember statements coming from certain DP-Commissioners- that ‘we are in power now-, if you do not like what we do, try to get elected’ ? (= buy your election-victory)….
So, what is this so-called ‘outcry’ about now (at least among those who have reason to be concerned )?......
We for sure- and for the record-, hereby openly commend- and thank the Dutch Prime-minister dr. BALKENDE for coming to the rescue of the ‘Friendly island’.
Those who have good intentions- ideas- qualifications- genuine respect for this island- and its native people-, as well as having other constructive skills necessary for this island, have nothing to fear.
On the contrary-, and while in Great Bay’s ‘White house-, there might be a ‘wake’ going on in preparation for the ‘burial’ of the ‘December 15 still born infant’-, there might be also a cause to celebrate.
This is because of the truly wonderful opportunities-, now available.
Just read very carefully-, the magnificent speech of dr. Jan-Peter BALKENDE; it contains the ‘recipe- and the conditions necessary for making a new-, but this time very healthy- new baby ‘country’.
We will quote two statements of his historical speech.; ’It was not just about formal responsibility ;it was also about moral responsibility’.
The next one being; ‘That’s why I am making an urgent appeal to everyone in St. Maarten to take up the challenge……’
Ending on this note, let it be recorded for the ‘umpteenth’ time to our leaders-, that our organization is prepared- willing and committed to make its contribution, in order that in due time, the island- and its people can really be ready for a new constitutional status.
Also- if by now it is not clear that we are a stakeholder in this process-, representing the native-indigenous people of this island-, then for sure you- as Government will continue to be the one-, who are giving the Dutch the opportunity- and justification on a silver platter to re-colonize the ‘Friendly-island’.
Remember that there is never a cause without any effect….and that there is never an effect that was not caused’.
Have a nice day.

Drs. Leopold JAMES
President SNBF/Association L’ Esprit de Concordia

Copies to
Prof. Dr. BALKENDE, Prime-minister of the Netherlands,
Mrs. DE JONGH-ELHAGE, Prime-Minister of the Netherlands Antilles

Sara says that change is important but not at all cost. What cost is she talking about? Anybody to explain that one.

How will St. Maarten ever get it right, Sarah wonders in TDH of February 14?
Well it is not that hard. If even Balkenende has noticed that our society is invested with corruption and crime than she must have noticed too. And of course she did. Politically she is responsible for our troubled society. She has been "leading" the local government for years and the party has participated in most Antillean Governments of the past decades. Wide scale corruption does not happen overnight but yet they allowed the derailment of our society with a steady pace; further and further into the miserable depths where we now flounder to stay alive. She didn't stop it. She didn't even try. She conveniently ignored it; probably even benefited from it. That is the picture PM Balkenende has showed her. How do you get that right ? As another writer put it: They will not stop their own Carnival. Them revelers shouldn't be surprised if somebody else does. Balkenende may be doing just that.

He claims they are a matter of public record. Can some one please point the way to these records. I can't find them on his website.

Voodoo

Hay, why doesn't the government just get the garbage from the Salt pond shipped of. I heard Puerto Rico offers that. It'll be a nice start.
It's time for some responsible acting, Sarah!
Yes, you can!

One thing though, are you saying that some people on this forum are actually scared of Theo hunting them down if he finds out they're not writing positive things about him?
How ruthlessly absurd!

But if he does... let's have group plastic surgery, so we can benefit from the discount :) Awesome. Dixi.