15 DECEMBER 2008 WILL BE D-DAY
The Netherlands Antilles as such will cease to exist on ‘Kingdom Day 2008’
On 15 December 2008, Sint Maarten will become an autonomous island within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Sint Maarten’s position can best be compared to that of Aruba: a full nation status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This has been agreed by all parties involved yesterday (click here for the transition agreement in Dutch).
On that very same 15 December 2008, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (a.k.a. K3, after the Dutch word ‘klein’, which means ‘small’) will become special overseas municipalities of the Netherlands. Although they will be directly tied to the Netherlands, they become extraordinary public entities tailored to the local situation.
The Dutch government is making available more than one billion Antillean guilders (approx. US$ 560,000,000) for financial support for the Netherlands Antilles, Sint Maarten, Saba, Bonaire and Sint Eustatius (see The Daily Herald for further details).
What will happen with Curacao? The majority of politicians voted against the ‘slotverklaring’. The moment the Curacao politicians stop playing their little games (click here), Curacao can become an autonomous island within the Kingdom of the Netherlands too. The next elections are going to be very important for Curacao. It is all up to the people. Let’s hope that they realize which politicians have been throwing dust in our eyes and are not fit to represent us.
Karel Frielink
Curacao-based Attorney (lawyer) / Partner
Up-date (10 July 2007)
On 7 July 2007, the newly elected politicians of Curacao voted in favor of the ‘slotverklaring’. This provides the basis for economic recovery and reducing poverty. In this occasion, the politicians have listened to the voices and interests of especially the poor people living on Curacao. United and determined, we now should make things better for the people.
