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Pechtold here today for talks ~ Marlin cautions about Franco-Dutch Treaty ~
by The Daily Herald
Posted: Oct 18, 2005 15:48 UTC
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PHILIPSBURG--Dutch Minister of Administrative Reform and Kingdom Relations Alexander Pechtold is arriving in St. Maarten today, Tuesday, for bilateral talks with the Island Government.
The meeting with St. Maarten’s delegation, which includes National Alliance (NA) leader William Marlin and People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) leader Gracita Arrindell as advisors, starts at 11:00am. A press conference is scheduled for later in the afternoon.
Asked for her comments as to what she expected of today’s bilateral talks, Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescott-Williams said on Monday that the success of the meeting would depend on the “understanding” St. Maarten would receive from the Netherlands for its reaction to the draft main lines accord that was proposed by the Dutch Government.
Arrindell confirmed she would be attending today’s bilateral talks. “We’re looking forward to having a constructive discussion with Minister Pechtold,” she said.
Marlin too will be present, but warned St. Maarten had to take a “firm stand” on the Franco-Dutch Treaty, which the Dutch apparently have included in the draft main lines agreement. Signing this treaty, which regulates immigration issues between the Dutch and French sides, would be one of the conditions for St. Maarten to acquire country status.
According to Marlin, the treaty has been “showing its face more and more again.” Noting that it first had been raised by Antillean Prime Minister Etienne Ys several weeks ago in a meeting with the Island Council and Members of Parliament representing St. Maarten, he said it was proposed again in the main lines accord.
“We have made it clear that we can’t ignore existence of it and it is high time the Island Council take a firm stand on it, instead of pretending it’s not there, especially because the Netherlands wants to make it one of the conditions,” he stated Monday.
Pechtold is holding bilateral talks with all five Antillean islands to discuss their constitutional desires in coming to new relations within the Dutch Kingdom. St. Maarten is the first. He will speak with Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius, in Bonaire on Wednesday. Thursday is Curaçao’s turn.
The Administrative Consultation with all islands and the Central Government, the second, is in Bonaire on Friday. The first Administrative Consultation (bestuurlijk overleg) took place in Curaçao last month.
Pechtold will be in Curaçao Friday evening to attend the opening concert of the Caribbean Fleet Days, with Dutch Minister of Defence Henk Kamp. He leaves for the Netherlands Sunday.
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