SINT EUSTATIUS DEFIANCE OF DUTCH 'COLONIAL COUP' CONTINUES

Director of Public Affairs Xavier Blackman says he does not recognize the new central government as legitimate.

Blackman Defies New Central Government Statia

BES REPORTER

Oranjestad- Director of Public Affairs and Government SupporT, Xavier Blackman, does not recognize the newly installed Central Government in St. Eustatius, consisting of Mike Franco and Mervyn Steegers. This much becomes clear from a letter Blackman sent to Central Government Representative Mike Franco yesterday, of which the BES-Reporter obtained a copy.

The main raison for Blackman not to recognize the new Central Government rule is because he believes this goes against Statia’s right to what is called ‘a Full Measure of Self Government’. “At the beginning of our meeting with you, Mr. Stegers, and Ms. Dijkshoorn-Lopes of 13 February, I indicated to you that I can not and will not acknowledge the positions in which you have been appointed by the Dutch government”, according to the letter written to Mike Franco, with copies to among others the Second and First chambers of Dutch Parliament.

Blackman in his letter to Franco also states that the legality of the appointment of Franco and Stegers, their actions, as well as the actions of the Dutch State can and should be checked against applicable international and national laws.

Article 2 of the “Draft Articles on State Liability for International Criminal Acts (Draft Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts) of the International Law Commission, ILC) is of an international unlawful act of a state when “a conduct consisting of an act or omission may be imputed to the State under international law, and when that act constitutes a violation of an international obligation of that State”, according to the letter written by the director, which was appointed to his position by the ousted local PLP/Merkman Government.

Blackman in his letter also warns that any action against him by the new Central Goverment will lead to legal action from his side.
“On the basis of the above (reference is made to the body of his letter, Editor), I will therefore not discuss the contents of your letters of 13 and 14 February, and it is sufficient for the time being to inform you that I will hold the Dutch State, and where possible and/or applicalbe you and Mr. Stegers personally liable for the consequences of the aforementioned (future) actions towards my person”, writes Blackman at the end of his letter, dated February 16, 2018.

LAS ONG DEL CARIBE DESVANECEN EL GOLPE HOLANDÉS EN SINT EUSTATIUS

Los países independientes del Caribe permanecen curiosamente en silencio sobre la abolición del gobierno democrático que tiene lugar en una colonia Caribeña." - un académico caribeño

Alianza Progresista del Caribe

La Alianza Progresista del Caribe (CPA), una asociación formada durante una reunión de COPPPAL en St Maarten, en mayo de 2017, con organizaciones miembros de los restantes países no autónomos en general, a nivel mundial y regional, con un énfasis particular en las islas de las antiguas Antillas Holandesas.

Entre nuestros miembros en crecimiento figuran Puerto Rico, San Andrés, Providenciales y las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos, B.V.I., los territorios de ultramar franceses y holandeses.

El CPA ha seguido con consternación e incredulidad el trato dispensado por el gobierno holandés al pueblo de las antiguas Antillas Neerlandesas, especialmente las islas BES de Bonaire y San Eustaquio. Durante los últimos siete años, el gobierno holandés ha hecho todo lo que estaba en su poder, para frustrar y obstaculizar el correcto funcionamiento de los gobiernos debidamente elegidos en estas islas.

A través de instrumentos tales como, entre otros, instrucciones al Vicegobernador, extralimitación por parte de un representante designado del Reino, que es un funcionario público, con autoridad otorgada por el gobierno holandés para bloquear o demorar cualquier acción legítima del gobierno que los holandeses aprueben.

Además, el gobierno holandés ha procedido a anclar estas islas en la constitución holandesa en contra de los deseos de los pueblos expresados ​​en referendos celebrados en ambas islas.

El gobierno holandés, aunque no cumpla ningún acuerdo ni cumpla con sus obligaciones social, económica o políticamente con las islas, ha decidido unilateralmente sin diálogo o consulta con el gobierno de San Eustaquio debidamente elegido, dejando de lado la voluntad del pueblo, a través de un método de mayor supervisión y administrar la isla por un comisionado administrativo designado por los holandeses.

Esta acción no se ajusta a los principios de la democracia o de acuerdo con la Carta de las Naciones Unidas que prescribe una medida completa de autogobierno.

El CPA se opone con vehemencia a esta acción antidemocrática y draconiana del gobierno holandés, en la injusta toma del gobierno de San Eustaquio y la anulación de los miembros debidamente elegidos del consejo de la isla y los comisionados designados.

Por el buen orden que queremos dejar perfectamente claro, condenamos y rechazamos esta acción como ilegal, draconiana y sin mérito o justificación, y nos solidarizamos con nuestra isla hermana en su lucha por la justicia y el derecho a una medida completa de sí mismo gobierno.

Por lo tanto, buscaremos una reparación en cooperación con San Eustaquio por todos los medios legales disponibles para nosotros.

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"Independent Caribbean countries remain curiously silent on abolition of democratic government taking place in a Caribbean colony." - a Caribbean academic 

Caribbean Progressive Alliance

Dutch overthrow of St.Eustatius legitimate elected government

The Caribbean Progressive Alliance (CPA) is an association formed during a meeting of COPPPAL on St Maarten in May 2017, with as members organizations from the remaining non-self governing countries in general, globally and regionally, with a particular emphasis on the islands of the former Netherlands Antilles.

Counted among our growing members are Puerto Rico, San Andres, Providenciales, and US Virgin Islands, BVI, the French and Dutch overseas territories.

The CPA has followed with consternation and disbelief the treatment meted out by the Dutch government on the people of the former Netherlands Antilles, especially the BES islands of Bonaire and St Eustatius. Over the past seven years the Dutch government has done everything within its power to frustrate and obstruct the proper functioning of the duly elected governments on these islands.

Through instruments such as but not limited to instructions to the Lt Governor, overreach by an appointed Kingdom Representative, who is a civil servant, with authority bestowed by the Dutch government to block and or delay any legitimate actions of government that the Dutch don’t approve of.

Additionally, the Dutch government has proceeded to anchor these islands into the Dutch constitution against the wishes of the peoples as expressed in referenda held on both islands.

The Dutch government while not living up to any agreement or complying with its obligations vis a vis the islands socially, economically or politically, have decided unilaterally without dialogue or consultation with the duly elected government of St Eustatius to put aside the will of the people, via a measure of higher supervision and administer the island by an administrative commissioner appointed by the Dutch.

This action is not keeping with the principles of democracy or in accordance with the United Nations Charter which prescribes a full measure of self government.

The CPA vehemently opposes this undemocratic and draconian action of the Dutch government, in the unjust take-over of the St Eustatius government and the setting aside of the duly elected members of the island council and the appointed commissioners.

For the good order we wish to perfectly make clear we condemn and reject this action as illegal, draconian and without merit or justification, and we stand in solidarity with our sister island in its struggle for justice and the right to a full measure of self government.

We shall therefore seek redress in cooperation with St Eustatius by all legal means available to us.

STATIA PARTY CRITICAL OF DUTCH HEAVY HANDED TAKEOVER

SABA-NEWS.COM

United People’s Coalition (UPC) condemns Statia takeover

the United People’s Coalition (UPC) sees the takeover of government on St. Eustatius on the basis of the “Three Wise Men” report as “an unfortunate and heavy handed measure.

Reginald Zaandam

“It must be clear that UPC sees this action as a sad day and a black page in Statia’s history. Some may rejoice, but UPC sees this measure as an action that creates a wrong perception and also severe attack on our ability and capability to govern our island,” Reginald Zaandam of the coalition said in a press statement.

The current coalition is not scot free in this development, he said. “As one of the coalition member stated in their radio programme that they saw this long coming, we of the UPC wonder why they did not adjust their approach in governing to avert this move by the Dutch.”

Listening to a recent radio programme, Zaandam said, “It was clear that this measure was the fault of everyone else but them. It is unbelievable that these persons thought that they could continue doing at will what they wanted with impunity.”

On the other hand, a closer look at Article 132 used as basis of this measure, UPC failed to see grounds derived from this article that substantiate the postponing of the next year’s election.

There are several municipalities in the Netherlands that were placed under similar supervision, but were never excluded from taking part in the election he said. “Our thoughts are that this part of the measure should be contested through a summary case.”

UPC questioned why Statia’s government, in the spirit of good governance and of course transparency, was not given the opportunity in a bilateral consult to clarify and or to discuss these findings and recommendations before The Hague enforced this measure.

“Now since we read the content of the measure, let us wait and see in what spirit the state secretary will explain this unfortunate measure to our people,” Zaandam said.

Dutch State Secretary for Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops appointed two commissioners to take charge of the Statia Government in what he called an “exceptional measure.”

According to Knops, the current government has completely neglected its tasks and there are intimidation and lawlessness. The Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament and the Senate adopted a bill on Tuesday providing for an administrative intervention in St. Eustatius.