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Published On: Wed, Nov 14th, 2018

No scheduled meeting with Van Putten as Dutch State Secretary visits St. Eustatius this weekend

Clyde van Putten - Statia

PHILIPSBURG/ST. EUSTATIUS—The visit of the Dutch State Secretary of Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops is not expected to include a meet with the Leader of the Progressive Labor Party Clyde van Putten during his visit this weekend for the Statia Day celebrations. In an invited comment, Van Putten said that although he has learnt of the State Secretary’s visit to St. Eustatius for the island celebrations, he is not aware of any scheduled meeting with the Dutch State Secretary.

“I am not aware of any meeting and have not been contacted by the Dutch State Secretary or his representative about any meeting,” said Clyde van Putten. Recently, Clyde had filed an injunction at the court of First Instance in Philipsburg regarding what was described as “the illegal takeover of the democratically elected government of St. Eustatius by the Dutch government and placing a Commissioner to run the daily affairs of the island.” The case is to be heard on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at the courthouse in Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

Prior to that, there is another court hearing scheduled for St. Eustatius on Tuesday, November 20, for the contravention of the United Nations Charter by the Dutch government. Van Putten said that the Dutch Government, which is a signatory to the United Nations Charter, has forced out the government that was elected by the people and placed their representatives in government.

“What we have on St. Eustatius is a dictatorship that was imposed on the people of Statia which is unacceptable. I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that democracy is restored and the government that was voted for will continue with the mandate that they were given to them by the people,” Van Putten said.

Clyde van Putten said that prior to the takeover of the government of St. Eustatius at a town hall meeting, the population had asked that they go back to the polls so as to make a clear statement but it was refused. He pointed out that over the last 65 years the islands were deceived by the Dutch and there were a misconception on the way that the islands were governed.

He explained that there were numerous opportunities where they could have discussed the issues and come to a peaceful understanding. “But based on the arrogance of the Dutch, since they feel that they are mighty and powerful, they have dared St. Eustatius to challenge them.”

Meanwhile, it has been said that the Dutch Government is also busy with the signing of an accord with Bonaire to take over all the critical government functions. It is said that if the Dutch government is convinced that what was done in St. Eustatius is legal then it is felt that they will also take over in Bonaire.

Bonaire is said to have greater political problems and issues than St. Eustatius with “the falling of governments” and as a result the Dutch is initiating the takeover in the form of a voluntary agreement. StMaartenNews.com will be updating you on whether the government of Bonaire agrees to the terms of the Dutch takeover in exchange for solving the island’s financial problems.