FORMER PUERTO RICO GOVERNOR JOINS THE ANCESTORS

Puerto Rico Bids Final Farewell 

to Ex-Gov. Rafael Hernandez Colon

SAN JUAN – Politicians and citizens said their final goodbyes on Friday to Rafael Hernandez Colon, who served three terms as governor of Puerto Rico.

Hernandez Colon, 82, died Thursday at his home in the southern coastal city of Ponce after a battle with leukemia.

Relatives, friends and politicians, including former governors Carlos Romero Barcelo, Sila Maria Calderon, Anibal Acevedo Vila, Luis Fortuño, Alejandro Garcia Padilla and incumbent Ricardo Rossello, gathered for an emotional ceremony at the Capitol in San Juan.

“I am here as a citizen who was forged by the actions he took. Today we bid farewell to one of the greatest leaders in the history of Puerto Rico, a Puerto Rican icon, a treasure of our island,” Rossello said.

Rossello, the son of former Gov. Pedro Rossello, said that his “consciousness of politics and leadership began to establish itself under the influence of Rafael Hernandez Colon,” considered the second most-important figure in the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) after Luis Muñoz Marin, known as the father of modern Puerto Rico.

One of the most moving eulogies came from Romero Barcelo, who praised the human qualities of Hernandez Colon.

“I regret the death of a great Puerto Rican hero, who was, on occasion, my tough and difficult adversary. We achieved a relationship of friendship and mutual respect,” Romero Barcelo said of the man with whom he often butted heads in the political arena.

Hernandez Colon was elected governor in 1972, only to be defeated four years later by Romero Barcelo, who also prevailed in 1980.

In November 1984, Hernandez Colon won back the governorship and he was re-elected four years later.

“I appreciate his selfless service to the country, but, more than anything, his iron defense of the Spanish language and our ‘Puertoricanhood,’” said Sila Maria Calderon, the island’s first and – so far – only woman governor.

Following the ceremony in the Capitol, the remains of Hernandez Colon were taken to the Cathedral of San Juan for a Mass officiated by Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez.

Hernandez Colon will be laid to rest in his native Ponce.

WORLD BANK MISSION TO SINT MAARTEN TECHNICAL SUPPORT SUPERVISION MISSION

On Tuesday July 24, 2018, the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, the Honorable Leona Romeo- Marlin received a delegation from the World Bank Group headed by Mr. Edouard Erefio Blanchet, Disaster Risk Management Specialist.

The overall objective of this mission was to provide Technical Support to the Interim Recovery Committee (IRC) and to supervise the Emergency Recovery Project I (ERP1) and Grant Agreement which was signed in Sint Maarten on July 12, 2018. The World Bank specialists worked alongside the IRC on drafting and disclosure of the project's Environmental and Social Management Plan, finalized the Project's Operational Manual, processed the first disbursement of funds and discussed the procurement processes that have been, or are about to be undertaken, in particular the shelters repairs.

The group also provided environmental and social safeguard support to the Hospital Resiliency and Preparedness Project currently under preparation. A review of all planned and retroactive financed activities was also conducted as part of safeguard due diligence, to ensure that the proper environmental assessment arid mitigation provisions are in place. Work was also carried out with the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) to draft the Environmental and Social Management Plan for the Hospital Resiliency and Preparedness Project.

The mission began with an assessment of all the shelters and the roofing projects that are being repaired under the ERP 1. The specialists also met with various stakeholders and recovery partners, such as GEBE, Fire Department, St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF), Korps Politie St. Maarten, Meteorological Department St. Maarten (MDS), as well as the focal point representatives of the various ministries to accomplish the objective of this mission. 

The team comprised of a Short Time Project Manager or ERP 1, a Financial Management specialsit, a Finance Analysist, a Senior Social Safeguards specialist, a Senior Technical Specialist and consultant. Oversight of the team from Washington was provided by the Senior DRM Specialist and Task Team Leader.

DUTCH-WORLD BANK AGREEMENT FOR SINT MAARTEN RECOVERY

WORLD BANK

PRESS RELEASE 

The Netherlands and World Bank sign US$580 million agreement for Sint Maarten’s Recovery and Resilience Post Irma

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2018—The State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Affairs of the Netherlands, Raymond Knops, signed today an agreement with World Bank’s Chief Executive Officer Kristalina Georgieva in the presence of Sint Maarten Prime Minister Leona M. Marlin-Romeo, to channel 470 million euros (about US$580 million) through a Trust Fund managed by the World Bank to help Sint Maarten build back better and increase resilience following the devastation caused by hurricane Irma.

"I am delighted to team up with the World Bank, which has a proven track record in the successful execution of this type of projects. Together with Sint Maarten, we want to rebuild the island in a sustainable and hurricane-proof manner", said Raymond Knops, State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Affairs of the Netherlands.

The Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Trust Fund will support recovery efforts and help the government of Sint Maarten prepare projects with well-defined development objectives, and provide capacity support for effective, efficient and transparent project execution.

“The World Bank is working closely with Sint Maarten and other Caribbean countries to help their people recover and rebuild after the recent hurricanes,” said Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Chief Executive Officer. “We are fast-tracking the preparation of emergency projects and using our global and regional expertise to speed up reconstruction, build resilience, and support all of those who have been affected”.

In Sint Maarten, the World Bank has already supported the government to carry out a Recovery Needs Assessment and prepare a National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP); and is now helping set up a Recovery Bureau to guide the recovery, reconstruction and resilience efforts. According to the post disaster assessment, the effects of Hurricane Irma are estimated at US$1.8 billion (180% of GDP), affecting 90 percent of all infrastructure and large parts of the natural environment.

“This is an important step and we look forward to working with the World Bank and the Netherlands in speeding up recovery efforts and returning Sint Maarten to its position as a beacon of prosperity by building back better”, said Prime Minister Leona M. Marlin-Romeo.

As the next hurricane season is closing in, the World Bank teams are working with the governments of the Netherlands and Sint Maarten to fast track the preparation of three emergency projects amounting of up to US$128 million. These projects will focus on: recovery and disaster preparedness and the rehabilitation of water and electricity utilities; debris removal; as well as skills and hospitality training and a cash for work program to provide affected communities with a social safety net in times of economic uncertainty.  Future projects will continue to be selected by agreement from the steering Committee composed of representatives from the Netherlands, Sint Maarten and the World Bank, based on the needs identified in the NRRP.

Overseas Countries and Territories conference convenes in Curacao

Trade and investment conference sets actionable high level discussions in the Caribbean overseas territories

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao — COSME, a European Union-funded programme committed to providing support to Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) entrepreneur sustainability and inspiring growth, hosted a two-day workshop for trade and policy dialogue on February 8 – 9, 2018, in Curacao.

Entrepreneurs around the world focus on economies of scale in order to stay competitive. The Caribbean OCTs have the possibility to leverage their collective power through regional collaboration in trade and investment. Workshop facilitator, Pauric Brophy (Irish Republic), led discussions on how OCTs can continue to reinforce their collaboration in the field of trade and investment post-COSME.

The workshop attracted participation from all Caribbean OCTs, except the Cayman Islands and St Barthélemy. The objectives of the workshop were to:

1. Explore the creation of a regional (OCT) trade and investment policy working group.

2. Increase the capacity of participants to analyse, comment on, formulate and implement trade and investment policy decisions.

3. Support the building of stronger partnerships with other stakeholders and institutions that support regional collaboration in trade and investment.

The level of interaction ensured meaningful and high-level consensus for actionable dialogue to chart a path forward. Marlon Penn, BVI junior minister for trade, attended and said, “The discourse was indeed fruitful. What needs to be done now is to take steps to foster greater collaboration in the area of trade and investments. OCTs need to proceed as a collective unit. It is now time to act.”

Caribbean OCT entrepreneurs continue to demonstrate their strength and, through enabling trade and investment policies, they can continue to grow and scale their operations further, increasing their contributions to the economy.

COSME is a 54-month programme with the responsibility to disperse €15 million to projects benefitting participating Caribbean territories. The funds were made available by the European Union. The programme’s overall objective is to contribute to the sustainable and climate-resilient economic diversification and prosperity of Caribbean OCTs by improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the participating territories.

COOK ISLANDS, AS A FREELY ASSOCIATED STATE, JOINS AIIB

Cook Islands membership of Asian Infrastructure 

and Investment Bank confirmed

PACNEWS

The Cook Islands Government has welcomed confirmation by the Board of Governors of Cook Islands membership in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Confirmation of membership follows months of advocacy for membership by the Government, most recently in the margins of the Forum Leaders meeting held in Apia in September.

This brings total approved membership of the AIIB to 84 which include countries such as China, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

AIIB is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes within Asia and beyond. Conceived in 2014 as an initiative of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, in 2016, the AIIB invested $1.73billion in 9 projects across Asia.

At present, options available to the Cook Islands Government for development finance include the Asian Development Bank (which the Cook Islands has been a member of since 1976), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Export-Import Bank of China. The Cook Islands isn’t yet a member of the World Bank (WB) or the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The obstacle being United Nations membership a prerequisite for WB/IMF membership.

The 2015 Cook Islands National Investment Infrastructure Plan (NIIP) outlines the Cook Islands infrastructure investments and maintenance priorities for the next 10 years. The plan outlines strategic priorities for all major infrastructure sectors – air, marine and road transport, water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, energy, telecommunications and information technology, education, health and other infrastructure.

“Pending ODA graduation requires our Government continue to diversify development finance options to support our country’s development agenda, including as relate to infrastructure,” said Finance Minister Mark Brown.

“Our approach to development finance will necessarily continue to be a blend of our own finances with ODA including climate finance, borrowing and equity investment. Membership of the AIIB offers us another option for that mix,” said Brown.

The Ministries of Finance and Economic Management and Foreign Affairs and Immigration will follow through with the AIIB Secretariat in the new-year to complete the necessary processes and documentation and it is intended the Cook Islands will participate in the 3rd Annual Meeting of the AIIB in June 2018.

AIIB membership is contingent on support from the existing membership. “We appreciate the support for our membership as confidence in our Government’s ability to meet our obligations as a member and contribute meaningfully to the shared objectives of improving social and economic outcomes for the people of member countries of AIIB,” said Brown.

U.S. TO INVESTIGATE IMPACT OF CHINESE ECONOMIC INFLUENCE IN FORMER TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

Defense Department to Investigate Chinese Aid 

to Former US Territories in Micronesia

The $700 billion 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, signed by President Trump in mid December, calls on the Department of Defense (DOD) to investigate the growing role of China in former US territories in the Pacific. That is a recognition both of the islands’ importance to US global strategy, as well as the latest indicator that America’s decades long relationship with its former dependencies is a partnership under stress.

Strung across the Western Pacific, today’s Republic of Palau (ROP), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) were liberated from the Japanese in the Pacific War and governed by the US as a UN authorized “trust territory” until the early 1980s. Since that time, these sovereign nations have enjoyed a unique status of “Free Association,” with the US, which provides for their defense as well as sending US bilateral aid that sustains public sector driven economies in the isolated, under-resourced, islands and atolls. Locals can, and in large numbers do, enlist in the US military.

The Compacts of Free Association (COFA) also provide easy entry for islanders coming to study, work, or simply live in the US. Their “eligible non-citizen status” affords them most rights, privileges -and even entitlements- otherwise reserved for native born Americans.

Because of their strategic location at the crossroads of the Pacific, the islands have a history of foreign rule, changing from Spanish to German to Japanese to US hands over the first five decades of the twentieth century. Today they are a defining feature of the Chinese “Second Island Chain” strategic concept of area denial, just as they once comprised the outer ring of imperial Japan’s similar pre-war “Line of Advantage.”

While DOD planners have long sought to control, or at least deny others access to, the islands, in practice US development policies have been criticized by Congressional watchdogs as wasteful, shortsighted, and ineffective. US funding, small compared to US foreign aid provided to other nations -but massive when tallied on a per-person basis for the tiny islands- mostly consists of block grants overseen by the Office of Insular Affairs at the US Department of the Interior.

Critics maintain the monies don’t always build local capacity, but rather tend to foster dependency by sustaining public services (and jobs) year-to-year. That has lead to frustration, even resentment, on both sides. Increasing aid and investment by the Chinese, on the other hand, is given with few obvious strings attached, and framed as a way for islanders to trade in “U.S. government handouts, which are scheduled to end in 2023 [for Micronesia and the Marshalls,] for the wide-open promise of Chinese-style capitalism.” The massive increase in migrants from these Freely Associated States (FAS) to Guam and Hawaii are seen as an indicator of the lack of educational, employment, and healthcare opportunities throughout the FAS.

“Congress and the Administration are to be commended,” said Neil Mellen, founder of Habele, a US educational nonprofit operating across Micronesia. “America is best served when her allies’ support comes from a position of strength, sovereignty, and real partnership, rather than mere dependency. Careful examination of our nation’s track record in the post-war Pacific, as well as the increasingly caustic role played by others, is long overdue.”

---30---

DOD Budget Sec 1259D -- "Study and assessment of United States security and foreign policy interests in the Freely Associated States of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia."

Corsica calls for greater autonomy from France after election

the guardian

Kim Willsher

President Macron under pressure to negotiate after nationalists demand talks in wake of Sunday’s regional election triumph

Corsican nationalists have demanded talks with the French government over more autonomy after a convincing win in Sunday’s regional elections.

President Emmanuel Macron now faces the dilemma of whether to loosen France’s grip on the Mediterranean island or to maintain centralised control.

Like Catalonia, whose bid for independence from Spain has sparked a crisis with Madrid and in the European Union, Corsica has long harboured separatist ambitions. Sunday’s second-round vote, in which a coalition of nationalist candidates won a 56.5% share, strengthens the hand of those seeking greater control.

Unlike Catalonia, which is wealthy and self-sufficient, Corsica depends heavily on funding from Paris, prompting the Pè a Corsica (For Corsica) movement to insist it is seeking autonomy not independence.

It has issued three core demands: equal recognition for the Corsican language, an amnesty for those in jail considered to be political prisoners, and recognition of a special residency status for Corsica to stop foreigners buying holiday homes on the island, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Pè a Corsica finished well ahead of Macron’s La République en Marche, which polled third with only 12.7% of votes. More than 47% of Corsicans did not vote.

It added: “Only a constructive dialogue will mobilise the means of economic, environmental and social emancipation necessary for Corsica and its inhabitants.”

The nationalists’ victory was the result of an agreement reached two years ago between autonomists – led by Gilles Simeoni, the chairman of the Corsica executive council – and those seeking full independence – led by Jean-Guy Talamoni, the Corsica assembly speaker.

“Today, Paris has to come to terms with what is happening in Corsica,” Simeoni said after the results were announced on Sunday evening. 

Talamoni took an even tougher line, telling the French government it must “open negotiations very rapidly” or it could expect protests on the island.

For many decades, the fight for greater autonomy from Paris resulted in bombings and killings on Corsica and mainland France. This reached a peak in 1998, when the French prefect of the island, Claude Erignac, was shot dead in Ajaccio while on his way to a concert with his wife. 

The Corsican National Liberation Front (FLNC) had announced the end of a seven-month truce less than two weeks before Erignac was killed. An anonymous group claimed responsibility, saying Erignac represented “the colonial state deaf to nationalist claims”.

______________________________________________

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION TO ASSESS ECONOMIC COST OF HURRICANE DAMAGE IN DUTCH-ADMINISTERED SINT MAARTEN

EDITOR'S NOTE: SINT MAARTEN IS ONE OF THIRTEEN NON-INDEPENDENT CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES WHICH ARE ASSOCIATE MEMBER COUNTRIES (AMCs) OF THE UNITED NATIONS (U.N.) ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (ECLAC). A 2017 EXPERT STUDY ON ASSOCIATE MEMBER PARTICIPATION IN THE U.N. SYSTEM PROVIDES EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND ON THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY FOR U.N. ASSISTANCE TO THESE COUNTRIES WHICH ARE NOT U.N. MEMBER STATES. 

UN Team To Conduct Damage, Loss Assessment In St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG - A 15-person team from the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) will be conducting a damage and loss assessment exercise in St. Maarten from October 22 to October 27.

The team is led by Dr. Omar Bello, Coordinator for Sustainable Development and Disaster Unit. The assessment is expected to be broad based with an emphasis on the economic impact of hurricane Irma.

While in St. Maarten, the team will have meetings with various stakeholders, including those representing sectors such as social affairs, housing, education, health care, the country’s transportation infrastructure, water and sanitation as well as collection and treatment of solid wastes. The group further hopes to gain insight into, among other things, post disaster information on electricity supply and distribution, broadcasters, telecommunications, Internet and tourism.

This will not be the first time ECLAC will be on a similar mission in St. Maarten. Following hurricanes Luis and Marilyn, more than two decades ago, ECLAC also completed an assessment of damages and loss in St. Maarten, which served as valuable analyses, it was stated in a press release over the weekend. Early assessments were already carried out in St. Maarten immediately following the passing of hurricane Irma.

However, as time passes and more information is gathered, a more thorough assessment is always possible and actually recommendable, the release said. “That in turn facilitates a more accurate forecast of the long-term economic impact. With that in mind, stakeholders are encouraged to lend their full cooperation to the ECLAC damage and loss assessment exercise.”

ECLAC is a United Nations regional commission to encourage economic cooperation. The commission’s work includes contributing to solutions by conducting research and analysis and providing sound policy advice and technical assistance to Caribbean governments, focused on growth with equity and recognition of the sub region’s vulnerability. ECLAC has 45 member-States (20 in Latin America, 13 in the Caribbean and 12 from outside the region) and 13 associate members which are various non-independent territories, associated island countries and a commonwealth in the Caribbean. St. Maarten was conferred Associate Membership in ECLAC in May 2014.

A questionnaire to be forwarded to stakeholders prior to the planned meetings is to serve as guideline for the expected conversations. The Department of Interior and Kingdom Relations BAK is coordinating the meetings between stakeholders in St. Maarten and the ECLAC team. For more information, interested stakeholders may call BAK and ask for Cheryl Rohan at tel. 520-0194.

DUTCH TO CONDITION SINT MAARTEN DISASTER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE ON REDUCTION OF 'AUTONOMOUS COUNTRY' POWERS

SINT MAARTEN REJECTS DUTCH CONDITION 

FOR EMERGENCY AID

NLTimes.nlBy Janene Pieters  October 23, 2017 

Sint Maarten prime minister William Marlin rejected the Netherlands' conditions for emergency aid to the island following hurricane Irma, Trouw reports. In a letter to Minister Ronald Plasterk of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations, Marlin wrote that Sint Maarten can not agree to the conditions by the deadline of October 31st, but that he is open to come to the Netherlands to discuss other conditions .

Plasterk set two conditions on the Netherlands providing financial support for the reconstruction of Sint Maarten following the devastating hurricane Irma. The first is that an 'Integrity Chamber' be set up. Under leadership of the Netherlands, this chamber will make sure that the emergency aid is spent well and prevent corruption. 

The second condition is that the Netherlands take over the island's border control, and strengthen it by sending more Koninklijke Marechaussee officers to Sint Maarten. In this way, the Netherlands wants to prevent undocumented migrants entering the island to perform reconstruction work cheaply and illegally. 

Only under these two conditions will the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, agree to provide financial aid for Sint Maarten's reconstruction. 

Marlin wrote that he agrees with Plasterk that corruption must be prevented, according to Trouw. But it is impossible to agree with setting up an integrity chamber before October 31st, he said. Exactly why this is impossible, he did not say. Marlin also said that he supports the idea of strict border controls, but no additional help from the Netherlands is necessary for that. 

Hurricane Irma damaged 91 percent of the buildings on Sint Maarten. Reconstruction is estimated to cost hundreds of millions of euros and take around two years. 

CATALONIA REFERENDUM CALLED FOR 1st OCTOBER 2017

GOVERNMENT OF CATALONIA

The President and the Ministers of the Catalan Government sign the decree calling for the self-determination referendum on October 1

• The bill was approved with a majority of votes in the Catalan Parliament

The President of the Catalan Government, Carles Puigdemont, together with the ministers of the Executive Council signed on Wednesday the decree calling for the referendum on October 1. The Law on the Self-determination Referendum was approved by a majority in the Catalan parliament and came into force following its publication in the Official Gazette.

In a statement from the legislative chamber, President Puigdemont  said that “no one” has the power to seize the Catalans' right to decide. “We have the chance to decide on becoming a state. This decision does not belong to any administration or court” other than the people themselves, the President affirmed. “The world that progresses is the one which takes its own decisions, and Catalonia is part of this world. Therefore, it will democratically decide on October 1” through “ballot boxes, by listening to the people and accepting the verdict. That’s what democracy is”, he added.

European Commission recognises Curacao efforts combating illegal fishing

European Commission 

Commission lifts 'yellow cards' for Curaçao 

and Solomon Islands

The European Commission has lifted...the 'yellow cards' for Curaçao and Solomon Islands, recognising the significant progress both countries have made in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

Speaking on the margins of the Economist's World Ocean Summit in Bali, EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, said: “This is a good day for Curaçao and Solomon Islands, and good news for sustainable fisheries around the globe. Countries worldwide have a shared duty to fight illegal fishing, protect law-abiding fishermen, and keep our oceans healthy. I encourage others to join the European Union in this fight and contribute to better ocean governance." 

Under the IUU Regulation, the European Commission warned Curaçao in November 2013 and Solomon Islands in December 2014 that they were not doing enough against IUU fishing. Since then, both countries have embarked on a series of reforms to bring their fisheries legal and administrative frameworks in line with international law, and are now equipped to tackle illegal fishing effectively. 

Working closely with the European Commission, they have strengthened their sanctioning system, and have improved monitoring and control of their fleets. The IUU Regulation is the EU's main tool in the fight against illegal fishing. It encourages countries to work with the European Commission to improve their fisheries governance and retain access to the EU's market. 

The EU is the world's biggest importer of fisheries products. IUU fishing threatens global fish populations and penalises fishermen who play by the rules. The global value of IUU fishing is estimated at approximately 10 billion euros per year, up to 15% of catches worldwide.

Clear abandoned US military waste, Greenland urges Denmark

RT - Question More

Greenland has urged Denmark to clean up the abandoned US military installations on the Arctic island, including Camp Century under-ice nuclear missile project, saying that they pose a threat to the environment.

Thirty-three American military bases and radar stations were built on the world’s largest island under a 1951 deal between NATO allies Denmark and the US.

Greenland had no say in the decision due to being a Danish province at the time, only gaining greater autonomy from Copenhagen in 2009.

The US-Danish agreement does not specify the side responsible for the cleanup, but Greenland’s authorities say they have had enough of rusting American military constructions.

“Unless Denmark has entered other agreements with the United States about Camp Century, the responsibility for investigation and cleanup lies with Denmark alone,” Vittus Qujaukitsoq, Greenland's foreign minister, said.

Earlier this week, AP obtained a letter which Qujaukitsoq sent to his Danish counterpart, Kristian Jensen, asking about Copenhagen’s plans for the US facility that, according to an international study, contains “radioactivity, oil and PCB pollution.”

He also warned that Greenland would address “relevant international organizations” to help with the cleanup if Denmark refuses to act.

Camp Century was built in 1959-60 in the northwestern part of Greenland. Washington said that the site was designed to test sub-ice construction techniques, but it was actually planned to be used as a top secret launch facility for ballistic missiles that could reach the USSR.

The ambitious project was, however, scrapped in 1966 after the ice cap started crushing the construction.

When the Americans left, they only took the nuclear reactor that powered Camp Century with them.

According to a study published in Geophysical Research Letters in August, an estimated 200,000 liters of diesel oil and sewage have been left on the site.

The scientists warned that ice cap melting may result in major pollution caused by Camp Century waste coming to the surface.

“When we looked at the climate simulations, they suggested that rather than perpetual snowfall, it seems that as early as 2090, the site could transition from net snowfall to net melt,” the paper’s co-author William Colgan, a climate scientist at York University in Toronto, said.

“Once the site transitions from net snowfall to net melt, it’s only a matter of time before the wastes melt out; it becomes irreversible,” Colgan told the American Geographical Union.

READ MORE: Danger: Radioactive Cold War stash & Greenland's melting ice-sheet

According to AP, Greenland’s authorities have already begun cleaning up US military facilities, but the island, with a population of just over 56,000, lacks the resources to complete the large-scale project.

Dutch Political Leaders support independence for autonomous countries of Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten

Call For Completion Of Independence Trajectory

DAILY HERALD

THE HAGUE -The trajectory to achieve full independence for Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten should be completed. The Dutch Government should approach the United Nations (UN) to discuss this.

The liberal democratic VVD party and the Socialist Party (SP) made this call during the second day of the handling of the 2017 Kingdom Relations budget in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Thursday.

Members of Parliament (MP) André Bosman (VVD) and Ronald van Raak (SP) submitted a joint motion at the end of a lengthy debate in which they requested the Dutch Government to consult the UN, together with Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten, to arrive at a “definite fulfilment of the right of self-determination of all countries in the Kingdom.”

In the motion, Bosman and Van Raak made mention of the UN decolonisation process that started after 1945, and the fact that the Kingdom Charter of 1954 was “the first step in the decolonisation process.” According to the motion, the Charter was never the end goal to do justice to the full right of self-determination of all countries within the Kingdom.

Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk tried to convince Bosman that it was a “futile exercise” to go to the UN without the consent of the Dutch Caribbean countries on this matter, especially if the countries voiced their objections to the UN.

The Minister said that he would first have to discuss this important step in the history of the Kingdom with the three countries before going to the UN. Bosman subsequently agreed to shelve the motion for now in order to give the Minister the chance to enter into discussions with the overseas countries. Plasterk promised a reply before December 31 this year.

The issue of independence sparked a debate between Plasterk and Bosman who had opposing views on the matter. “We don’t agree on the end goal,” said Plasterk, who made clear that he did not think independence of Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten was such a great idea.

Product of history

The Minister pointed out that it was up to the countries to take the decision if, and so when, they wanted to step out of the Kingdom. “Whether that is a wise decision is another matter. Letting go entirely would not be a good thing for the people there. The Kingdom is a product of history including the black page of slavery and colonialism. In my opinion, together we should try to make the best of it in the interest of the people.”

Plasterk said the Dutch Government had “no intention” to end the current constellation and that the Dutch Caribbean countries so far had not made a decision either to go independent. MP Sietse Fritsma of the Party for Freedom PVV objected to the Minister’s line of thinking and made a point that the Netherlands should achieve the right to unilaterally get out of the Kingdom. He submitted a motion to this extent.

Bosman urged Plasterk to proceed on giving content to the trajectory of complete independence described in the Kingdom Charter. He said it was the task of the Dutch Government to actively assist in the developing of the self-governance of the islands, as was stated in article 73 of the UN Charter.

“We have to talk about that with the countries,” said Bosman. Plasterk emphasized that the Dutch Caribbean countries had a right to self-determination and that this was not conflicting with article 73 of the UN Charter.

Van Raak said that the Kingdom Charter had a “smothering” effect on the relations within the Kingdom because the relations were not equal, and there was no way for the Netherlands to unilaterally decide to step out of the Kingdom. Van Raak and Bosman are in favour of a commonwealth structure where, in their opinion, the relations would be more equal.

Hybrid system

“We are in a hybrid system. Nobody has the power to see things through. The polder model doesn’t work in the Caribbean. We need to create clarity,” Bosman said about the current Kingdom structure. He said that while the overseas countries have their own autonomous responsibilities down the line it was the Kingdom, meaning the Netherlands, that was held responsible internationally.

Plasterk noted that there were also good things happening in the Kingdom. He said that Curaçao had a stable government for the past few years. A government which had created sound government finances and had achieved a budget that was truly balanced.

The Minister said that in St. Maarten the concerns about the links between the upper world and underworld remained, but that St. Maarten Governor Eugene Holiday, who has just been reappointed for another six years, had performed a “very strict screening” of the last cabinet. “He did that very well.”

Plasterk said that in the Kingdom it always remained a matter of seeking a balance, of giving space to the local governments, while keeping an eye on the responsibility of the Kingdom Government. “Of course we are not there yet. There is still much room for improvement, but many things are moving in the right direction.”

Refineries

The responsibility of the Kingdom also came up during the debate in relation to the extensive pollution caused by the Isla refinery in Curaçao and the deal that Aruba has made with Citgo Petroleum to reopen the refinery in San Nicolas.

MP Roelof van Laar of the Labour Party PvdA remarked that in Curaçao school children were fainting because of the toxic fumes and that the closing of the school in question was not redressing the actual problem. He urged the Minister to accomplish a real solution in short term. Plasterk said that the Isla refinery had the attention of the Curaçao Government and that with the help of Dutch expertise a solution was being sought.

MP Alexander Pechtold of the Democratic Party D66 criticised the lack of action of the Dutch Government to tackle the pollution caused by the Isla refinery. He said the Dutch Government did not truly see the urgency of the matter. “If the Dutch tourists were affected at their hotel, we would all cry out that this was unacceptable.”

Van Raak was highly critical of the Citgo agreement with Aruba. “Everyone can see that this is a bad deal that will create large debts. The promises of Venezuela are soft as butter,” he said. Plasterk said it was not up to him to judge the Citgo deal. He emphasized that Aruba carried the full financial responsibility for this agreement.

DUTCH SURVEY FINDS MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENCE FOR DUTCH 'AUTONOMOUS COUNTRIES'

Meanwhile, annexation of the more manageable Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius continues in earnest.

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PVV: “Majority Of Dutch People Wants To Get Rid 

Of The Antilles”

THE HAGUE - Most Dutch people want to get rid of the former Netherlands Antilles (Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten). This is according to a conclusion from the Dutch political party PVV after a survey by Maurice de Hond among more than 2000 Dutch people.

61 percent of respondents indicated that the main reason to completely sever ties with the islands is the regular financial problems, corruption, and mismanagement. For the PVV voters, it is about 88 percent, the VVD, 76 percent and D66, 45 percent.

A slight majority of 55 percent believe that the Netherlands does not have a duty to care anymore for the West Indies, resulting from the colonial past. Again, the PVV supporters with 86 percent, are the most pronounced.

47 percent of respondents finds it wrongly that the Netherlands may not unilaterally sever ties with the three countries within the Kingdom. 39 percent do agree with this.

PVV MP Sietse Fritsma finds it untenable and undemocratic that the government and parliament say that Dutch "have nothing to say" about whether to sever ties with the islands. “Citizens here must have a voice in this as quickly as possible, and we can finally say goodbye to the former West Indies.”

Fritsma wants the Minister of Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk to appear before parliament this coming Wednesday to talk about the outcome of the survey.

Netherlands proposal to limit residency for Antilleans in the "European part of the Kingdom" discussed in Dutch Parliament

Curious timing on eve of elections in Curacao and Sint Maarten

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Debate On Bosman Law Continues Wednesday

THE HAGUE - The plenary handling of the initiative law proposal of Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament André Bosman of the liberal democratic VVD party to regulate the residency of persons from Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten in the Netherlands will continue on Wednesday after a delay of some 2½ years.

During the previous handling on March 12, 2014, the members of the Second Chamber used the opportunity to pose questions to Bosman and to voice their criticism or support. Bosman will answer the long list of questions and address the concerns on Wednesday.

“For me, personally, it will be a special debate,” said Bosman, who will be defending and explaining his first individual initiative law proposal. He said it concerned an “important” law proposal that related to the Dutch Kingdom and the subject of the movement of persons. “I am hoping for a nice discussion,” he told The Daily Herald on Monday.

Bosman, who will be seated in the Government section together with State Secretary of Security and Justice Klaas Dijkhoff, said he expected the issue of racism and second-class citizens to come up on Wednesday.

Criticism that his law proposal has racist elements and degraded persons from the islands with a Dutch passport to second-class citizens has not deterred Bosman or moved him to make significant changes to the law text.

He said he was still convinced that there was nothing racist or wrong about his law proposal because the islands have similar legislation, the LTU (“Landsverordening Toelating en Uitzetting”) to restrict the residency of persons from the Netherlands. He emphasised that his law proposal came very close to the LTU legislation in the Dutch Caribbean.

“People are shouting racism, but the LTU does the same thing to persons from the Netherlands who want to move to Aruba, Curaçao or St. Maarten. People from the Netherlands are also second class citizens because they cannot freely live and work on the islands,” he said.

Under what has been commonly named the “Bosman law,” persons from the Dutch Caribbean countries who want to take up residency in the Netherlands would need to show that they can sustain themselves, that they have a diploma or come to study. A person with a criminal record who presents a serious risk to public safety will not be admitted.

Stack of questions

Bosman will have to answer a stack of questions regarding the intention and scope of the law proposal, its implications for the already strained relations in the Kingdom, its relation to European Union (EU) legislation, and the criticism of the expert committee Meijers, that were posed in March 2014.

According to the Meijers Committee, the law proposal is in violation of international responsibilities to which the Netherlands is tied, based on five treaties and two EU guidelines. Various MPs, including Gert-Jan Segers of the Christian Union (CU) and Sharon Gesthuizen of the Socialist Party (SP), referred to the committee’s critical judgment during the first debate on March 12, 2014.

MPs Gesthuizen, Segers, Linda Voortman of the green left party GroenLinks and Gerard Schouw of the Democratic Party D66 also reminded Bosman at that time that Dutch Caribbean people were Dutch citizens with a Dutch passport and citizens of the EU, with the right of unlimited residency in the Netherlands.

“This initiative infringes on the rights of Dutch Caribbean persons to reside in the Netherlands,” said Voortman.

“From a legal point of view, the law proposal is untenable. It violates international treaties and EU law and makes a distinction based on ethnicity, while its effectiveness will be very minimal,” said Schouw about what he called a “trashcan law proposal.”

Segers: “The law proposal will create a wedge between us and the islands, between one Dutch citizen and the other. Dutch citizenship will be hollowed out. We will take away one of the most essential civil rights.”

Fundamental reasons

This Wednesday the big question will be, again, whether the Labour Party PvdA will support Bosman’s law proposal. MP Roelof van Laar (PvdA) stated on March 12, 2014, that his party distanced itself from the differentiation based on place of birth for “fundamental reasons.”

Van Laar made clear during that debate that the PvdA could only give its support if the law proposal was adapted to target specific groups: Dutch Caribbean persons without a diploma or with a criminal record. “Those persons can be subjected to the conditions of the law, but not all residents of the islands. You cannot subject every Dutch Caribbean person to this law if you only want to keep out underprivileged or criminal persons,” he said.

(WOW...)

Bosman has not adapted his law proposal to accommodate the coalition partner PvdA. In the second amendment (“nota van wijziging”) dated May 16, 2016, he stated that opting for an alternative application range that focused on the place of residency or to have his law proposal only apply to persons of the three countries without a diploma or with a criminal record “would not result in a better law proposal.”

In the second amendment, children of Dutch citizens born in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba were exempted from the law proposal. The term of refusal of residency in the Netherlands after a person has been sent back to the islands in the interest of protecting public order has been set at five years.

The amendment also stated that the person who has been refused residency must leave the Netherlands immediately. Authorities would not use the law in a proactive manner, but in a reactive way. Persons will not be arrested without a reason. However, authorities will look at the consequences for a person’s residency permit when this person is arrested in connection with a crime, or applies for social welfare.

Young delinquents

With this law proposal, Bosman wants to contribute to reducing the problems with young delinquents of Dutch Caribbean descent. “What are you doing here if you are not here to work or to study, and if you can’t sustain yourself?” he asked. None of the parties in the Second Chamber denied the problems with high-risk Dutch Caribbean youngsters in the Netherlands.

Bosman stands by his original conviction that his law proposal is “highly useful” in deterring problematic youngsters from coming to the Netherlands.

The Consultative Council for persons of Dutch Caribbean descent Ocan has protested vehemently against the “Bosman” law, which the foundation finds discriminatory and a “clear sign” that their people are not welcome in the Netherlands. A number of Ocan representatives and persons of the Dutch Caribbean community were present during the first handling.

The original law proposal dates back to July 3, 2012. Additional legal advice, research, consultation, the answering of the long list of questions and concerns of the Parliament, the heavy workload and the overloaded agenda of the Second Chamber have resulted in a considerable delay in the handling of the law proposal.

Bosman said he hoped the first and second term could be concluded on Wednesday, so the law proposal could be put on the agenda for voting next week Tuesday. So far it remains unsure whether it will muster majority support. If approved, the law proposal will be sent to the First Chamber for handling.