Need for approving organic laws emphasised

DAWN BEACH--Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has underlined the need for St. Maarten to approve the remaining organic laws in time for the final Round Table Conference (RTC) on September 9.

Balkenende did so when he met with Constitutional Affairs Commissioner William Marlin at The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort and Spa on Sunday.

According to Marlin, the holding of the final RTC also hinges on the approval of the new constitution for Country Curaçao and on Aruba's approval of the changes to the Kingdom Charter.

The final RTC will vet Curaçao's and St. Maarten's readiness to become countries. It will be chaired by Balkenende.

Marlin who updated Balkenende on St. Maarten's preparedness during Sunday's meeting, said Balkenende had wanted to meet personally with all stakeholders "to ensure that all will be well" for the holding of the RTC.

"It was a very positive meeting. We had a good discussion, but as Chairman of the RTC the Prime Minister needed to touch base with all stakeholders. ... The Prime Minister has made it clear that we need to have those organic laws in place in order for us to be able to proceed with the RTC," Marlin told The Daily Herald Sunday.

Fifteen organic laws were handled in the Island Council last week. The remaining laws are expected to be handled in a meeting of the Central Committee today, Tuesday, following which they can be debated in the Island Council. The meeting was originally scheduled for Monday, but had to be postponed because of the passing of Hurricane Earl.

"The intention is to start the Central Committee [meeting] as early as possible and complete the process so that we can go on to the next phase, which is the public Island Council meeting," Marlin explained.

The Executive Council also has to finalise several other issues based on recommendations in the final report of the Vetting Committee, which was presented on Friday. One of the recommendations is that a secretary to the Advisory Council be appointed before the RTC. A candidate has been identified and government is in the process of informing the individual.

Other issues such as the preparations of the Plans of Approach "have been dealt with" satisfactorily, Marlin said.

With elections now over in Curacao, once the new government has been formed and the new Island Council sworn in, the constitution for Country Curacao can be handled.

"If this is not done, then we have a problem there as well," Marlin said.

Balkenende is scheduled to have discussions with Aruba's Prime Minister Mike Eman today, Tuesday, and the need for the Aruban Parliament to vote on the changes to the Kingdom Charter is expected to be on the agenda. The Antillean Parliament has already voted on the changes.

The RTC will be preceded by a Political Steering Group (PSG) meeting. The RTC will serve to conclude the process to realise new constitutional relations in the Dutch Kingdom whereby Curaçao and St. Maarten will become countries and the BES islands Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba part of the Netherlands as public entities.

Balkenende also held separate meetings with the Executive Council and with the future Governor of Country St. Maarten Eugene Holiday, before cutting short his visit due to the passing of Hurricane Earl.