Friday, September 22, 2006

Kingdom Relations Minister Atzo Nicolai to visit Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius

In the recent Dutch Parliamentary budget discussions, when the 2007 Kingdom Relations budget was presented this week by the outgoing cabinet, it was noted that the issue of constitutional change for the islands won’t be easy.

In a no-nonsense manner, it noted drastic measures are inevitable, but that local authorities do not seem willing to take decisive action and have not wholeheartedly supported The Hague’s gestures to put future Kingdom relations on a firmer footing and arm them against political upheaval.

Despite the uncompromising tone of his budget statement, including acceptance of the so-called non-paper “Partners in the Kingdom” as condition for a Round Table Conference (RTC), the upcoming visit of Kingdom Relations Minister Atzo Nicolaï could provide an opportunity for progress. While he will focus primarily on the three “smaller” islands Saba, Statia and Bonaire that want direct ties with Holland, visits with St. Maarten and Curacao are also planned. (Souce:  The Daily Herald)