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July 3, 2008
bron Saba News Agency
The Island Council of Saba on Tuesday morning ratified the decision list that was
reached in the Netherlands on June 18th 2008. During the public debate on the floor
of the Island Council Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Mr. Chris Johnson gave
a detailed rundown of the recently concluded 3rd BES week in the Netherlands.
Commissioner Johnson explained in detail of the various meetings that they attended
while they were in Holland for the two weeks, they visited several ministries and
exchanged ideas on several issues pertaining to the BES islands and where the Dutch
Government was willing to assist the islands in achieving their new status. We
received several presentations and what could have been noticed was that those
ministries that visited the islands were very well prepared as they knew the
situation of the islands.
Commissioner Johnson explained that he must consider the discussions held in the
Netherlands as very fruitful for the islands. I was very impressed with the
discussions and at the end of the day I must say that the dutch government has lived
up to the commitments that were made. The negotiations and discussions were very
hectic but at the end of the day we all left the meetings in good spirit. We felt
that we had accomplished our goals and as BES islands we have returned back home
very optimistic.
Commissioner Johnson said that one thing for sure when the Dutch take you to the
Netherlands they make sure that you work for the trip, but at the end of the day it
all paid off well for us. The Dutch Government has agreed to assist the islands and
they have agreed to even pay of our debts for 2006 and 2007. For the coming two
years we will be receiving extra monies in order for us to start carrying out
several things in the areas of Education, Health Care, Youth a family care and
safety. When we count it all up the islands will be receiving over Fls. 135 million
guilders. All in all I am very optimistic with the results that we have achieved at
the 3rd BES week and it is now left up to the islands to become pro active. I am
encouraged by the commitments and Holland has now shown that they are our true
allies.
Commissioner Johnson also informed the council that the decision list is now being
translated in the English, Spanish and Papiamernto language and as soon as he
receives them he will be distributing them throughout the community because I feel
that every citizen should have copy of what we was able to achieve in the
Netherlands. Once we receive the translated versions I urge the community to read
them and if there are any doubts or questions I would like for people to request it.
We are prepared to gave as much information as possible on the decision list.
The Dutch Government has also agreed to establish an office on the islands just
after the Round Table Conference. The RTC is scheduled to take place on December
15th 2008 and with the establishment of the office on each of the BES islands I feel
that we will be able to achieve much for the islands. At least we will have a direct
link within the Dutch Government.
Commissioner Johnson presented a motion to adopt the decision list and it was
accepted by the three members of the council that were in attendance at the meeting.
Island Council members Bruce Zagers and Ms. Akilah Levenstone was absent from the
meeting with notice.
The Saba delegation that attended the 3rd BES week in the Netherlands were
Commissioner Chris Johnson, Island Council Member Ms. Akilah Levenstone, Island
Secretary Mr. Menno van der Velde and Advisor to the Executive Council Mr. Will
Johnson.
Commissioner Johnson also announced that he will be informing the community of Saba
on the trip to the Netherlands on July 7th 2008 on the radio program "Changes' at
8.00 p.m. and he also announced that on Tuesday, July 8th 2008 the State Secretary
for Internal and Kingdom Relations Drs. Ank Bijleveld-Schouten will be visiting the
island of Saba with her delegation and she will be having a public information
session in the form of a Town Hall meeting and he is encouraging the entire
community of Saba to attend the Town hall meeting and ask as many questions a
possible to the State secretary. I am extremely happy that the State Secretary has
agreed to come to the islands and share information on the new status for the
islands in person. I think it is about time that the community hear it direct from
Holland, because as a politician I have been trying to inform the community as much
as possible via radio and newspapers. I think that the people of the BES island
would like to hear it now direct from the Dutch Government and I fully support the
move on the part of the State Secretary. I am urging the people of Saba to attend
the Town Hall meeting and at that time they can address any of their concerns with
her. The Town hall meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 8th 2008 at 9.30 a.m. at
the Auditorium of the Saba University School of Medicine. The general public of Saba
is welcome to attend the town hall meeting, we would like to have a full house where
people will be asking as many questions as possible.
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