Press Conference in Aruba at 4:00pm; Natalee Holloway

Because the first one went so well, there will be another one. We will call it a mulligan.

Attention American Public: Another press conference!
There has been another press briefing announced for 4 PM.
(I believe) In this press briefing the Aruban government will make a statement.
Interested in tuning in?
http://www.arubadag.com or http://www.promoaruba.aw
*Note: Be on time, I noticed that the Real player can’t handle to much users at once, you wouldn’t be able to hear it live.

Thanks Amy

*** Update: We will be live blogging it for those who cannot get on the audio link.

Prelude to Press Conference … (Prime Minister Oduber will be speaking)

4:08 pm – (Prime Minister) A cordial beginning and the Aruban Government stands behind the family of Natalee Holloway. Local and International (US) efforts doing everything to find her.

“We will not tolerate anything that harms our friends from the United States or other International visitors”.

4:12 pm – Saturday & Sunday we will ask all churches in Aruba to pray for Natalee & her family, Keep hope alive.

4:14 pm – “Nobody on this Island is above the law, no one will have privilege. The Dutch system is different from the American one. We want to solve the crime”.

4:16 pm – Aruba is known for its safety but we are disappointed at what may have happened. Concerned as a father for Natalee and her family.

4:20 pm – PM is stating that these things happen in countries around the world and that Aruba has passed laws against money laundering and has strict drug laws. It is a concern of Aruba. Wants the media to say good things about the island. He knows that when bad things happen they will be reported.

4:25 pm – PM does not want to comment directly on Carlos And Charlie’s. Any establishment not operating within Aruban standards will be dealt with.

4:27 pm – Question: regarding reports from Fox News regarding Drug cartel influence on putting pressure on Aruban Govt to solve case. (WOW)

PM – stating basically no one puts pressure or influence on Aruban Govt.

4:30 pm – PM “pity that any one is accusing us of drugs or money laundering”

Red – LETS HOPE THE QUESTIONS GET BACK TO NATALEE HOLLOWAY NOT ARUBA

Tom – The PM did a good job of explaining the Islands position, but he tended to do a laundry list of the same accomplishments whenever asked a tough question. They need to bring out the police and judiciary tomorrow am.

Red – Sounds like Aruba is a little miffed at Fox News, I do not think that Bill O’Reilly should be buying any time sharing any time soon.

I would say that this was “damage control” from this mornings Press Conference when the Q&A got extremely heated and contentious. The Prime Minister came in as the voice of reason to quell the MSM from going into hyper-mode. Their was a vast difference between how the two conferences were held. The Prime Minister was in a difficult spot and was trying to stop the bleeding. It is difficult to balance between the needs of the family and his island when the eyes of the world are upon you.

From Fox News, PM: ‘We Will Not Stop Until We Have Answers’

ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Finding 18-year-old Natalie Holloway is currently Aruba’s “No. 1 goal,” the country’s prime minister said Thursday after three more suspects were arrested in connection with the American tourist’s disappearance.

“We stand behind the family of Natalie Holloway in full support,” Prime Minister Nelson Orlando Oduber said. “This investigation must move along swiftly … we will not stop until we have answers. We are shocked and completely distraught.”

Holloway was on a five-day graduation vacation with 100 classmates and seven chaperones when she disappeared without a trace. The Alabaman was last seen at a local bar about 1:30 a.m. Memorial Day, getting into a car with three islanders she’d apparently befriended. Those three islanders were questioned and released last week but were arrested again on Thursday. Two other men are also in custody and being questioned.

As stated during the live blogging,

The Aruba police and other international authorities “are doing everything in their power to find Natalie,” Oduber said, adding that he’s been in touch with U.S. officials like Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions.

“The government of Aruba has always made the safety … of our community and our visitors a top priority,” the prime minister said during a press conference that Holloway’s mother also attended. “Aruba has very strong ties to the United States. We will not tolerate any activities that harm our American friends or any of our international visitors, or part of our community at large.”