Aruban MP Antagonised By Antillean Minister’s Comments

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

14 February 2005

Edwin Jacobs, a member of the Aruban parliament and leader of the political party MEP, has expressed dismay at statements made by an Antillean minister that Aruba is to participate in a work group in charge of examining constitutional changes.

Following the conclusion of a two-day inter-island constitutional summit last month, the four Netherlands Antilles islands of Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten agreed to create five working groups to help formulate new constitutional arrangements.

The five groups will be established in the areas of Administrative and Judicial Relations, Organisation, Finances, Charter and Communication.

Jacobs was reported as remarking that he was: “very astonished to read a report of the Antillean minister Gibson in the Amigoe of February 2nd stating that Aruba will participate in a work group in charge of the investigation of the (constitutional) Statute.”

“In order to solve their problems, the Netherland Antilles has the right to establish a committee for the amendment of the Statute, but they cannot decide to make Aruba part of this committee. That is lack of respect for the autonomous status of Aruba within the Kingdom,” he stated, according to the report.

Jacobs went on to add that:

“We have clearly indicated that we will not be against any help in looking for a solution for the Netherland Antillean problems, as long as this is not going to affect Aruba’s position within the Kingdom.”

“If nevertheless the Antillean government decides to include Aruba in her Committee for Statute Affairs, this can only be considered as a provocation towards Aruba. Under no circumstances will the MEP accept this.”

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