New status without debt relief
is ‘bad idea,’ says PPA leader
PHILIPSBURG--People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) leader Gracita Arrindell has expressed disappointment and concern about the suggestion that the people of St. Maarten should consider securing their new constitutional status even, if necessary, without a debt relief agreement with the Dutch government.
“This is another bad idea of Constitutional Affairs Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams and the people will see through it,” Arrindell said in a press release issued on Thursday in response to remarks made by Wescot-Williams in her New Year’s address.
The people, she added, will also demand that Wescot-Williams honour her word and commitment to get the new country status for St. Maarten during December 2008.
“If you are unable to meet your commitment and public word, tell us why not,” Arrindell said.
She stated that Wescot-Williams should stop playing games, distorting the truth and spinning the facts.
“Do you understand and realise that your new strategy of separating debt relief from the new country status for St. Maarten exposes the people of St. Maarten to more poverty, more debts, higher taxes, and reduced required services for housing, education, health care and crime prevention?” she asked.
She reminded the Commissioner of her statement that she would not re-negotiate the November 2, 2006, agreement. “What has now caused your recent turnaround of separating debt relief from country status?” Arrindell also asked.
She said Wescot-Williams’ conduct and that of her Democratic Party colleagues seemed to support the whispers during the April 2007 Island Council elections that the DP would use the success of the November 2, 2006, agreement to win another election and thereafter stall and frustrate the Dutch to stay in power for another four years.
“Telling the people the truth is far more important than winning an elected office. Winning an election on the basis of lies, misstatements, distortions and political spin will not move the island forward or give our people the much needed financial relief,” Arrindell said.
And, contending that the people would not allow Wescot-Williams “to again play the bait-and-switch game,” Arrindell queried as well whether the Commissioner had consulted with the banks and business community about what impact such a change in strategy would have on St. Maarten’s economy and business community.
“Will the island have to adopt new and additional taxes and cut governmental services to the people? What signal are we sending to foreign investors about the future of this island? What signal are we sending to the Dutch government and the other partners in the Antilles about how much we honour our word and written agreements?” she asked.
