Queens Visit to Aruba: If you Can’t Make it Safe for the Queen … Who Can You Make it Safe For?

Atan Lee, former head Protocol, seems to think that the upcoming Queen’s visit to Aruba in not safe. Which begs the question … if Aruba takes liberties with the Queens’s safety, what would they do with everyone else’s? Arubans and tourists alike.

Besides, Plaza Daniel Leo is not safe; it is surrounded by high-rise.  A person can easily commit an assault on the Queen’s life.

Plaza Daniel Leo is unsafe for Royal visit”, indicated Atan Lee, former head Protocol.

Atan Lee also touches on what seems to be a definite rift and existing problem between The Dutch and Aruba. As seen with the “guaranteed loan” squabble that is presently going on, Lee makes the comment that, “You don’t get a feeling that the island is celebrating.” Let’s just hope the Queen stays away from certain bars in Aruba. They may pose more of a safety issue than Plaza Daniel Leo.

It is a huge contrast with the current program.  “The program is created in such way that we show our Queen, and via the media the Dutch population, that we are in a very poor situation.  When I was in charge of doing this, I always made sure that the Queen and the media take with them a piece of our alegria.

Of course the Arubans are always quick to say its safe, where have we heard this before?

 The chairwoman of the committee that is in charge of the preparation for the Queen’s visit, Ella Tromp-Yarzagaray indicated that the Government Information Service considers the route and the plaza safe.

The spokesperson of the police indicated that the police had indeed advised against Plaza Daniel Leo.  “There are too many high-rise around the plaza.  There is a risk that somebody might shoot a firearm from those buildings.”  The committee said that the Queens own security people have approved the location. 

Amigoe, November 2, 2006: Program Queen’s visit not put together right 

There are a lot of high-rise around Plaza Daniel Leo, including the Renaissance Hotel.  The police says that there is a risk that might shoot a firearm from those buildings. Foto: Mirte de Rozario

ORANJESTAD – “The program for the Queen’s visit to Aruba is bad.  You don’t get a feeling that the island is celebrating.  Besides, the population would hardly get a chance to see the Queen at close quarters.  Plaza Daniel Leo is unsafe for Royal visit”, indicated Atan Lee, former head Protocol. 

Lee managed the government service that was in charge of protocol matters 16 years ago.  The entire country was celebrating during earlier visits of the Queen.  “All the schools performed aubades and the members of the Royal Family would meet the population in festive settings.  Also the Dutch media got a positive impression of our island.”     

It is a huge contrast with the current program.  “The program is created in such way that we show our Queen, and via the media the Dutch population, that we are in a very poor situation.  When I was in charge of doing this, I always made sure that the Queen and the media take with them a piece of our alegria.   

LOCATIE

The places the Queen is going to visit are not suitable.  Especially the location of the public festivities on Tuesday evening; it is too small, according to him.  “Imagine you are leaving from Fort Zoutman, along the back of the town hall to Plaza Daniel Leo.  The route is full with stages.  Just a small part of our island may get a chance to see the Queen at close quarters this way.”  Besides, Plaza Daniel Leo is not safe; it is surrounded by high-rise.  A person can easily commit an assault on the Queen’s life. 

SAFETY

The chairwoman of the committee that is in charge of the preparation for the Queen’s visit, Ella Tromp-Yarzagaray indicated that the Government Information Service considers the route and the plaza safe.    Also the police was of the opinion that the space of the celebration is too small, but the solution for that is that the show will continue even after the Queen leaves.  The shows will be repeated several times till 22:00. 

The police will also man the barricades as much as possible to prevent people from parking their cars behind them and make it impossible to get away in case of emergency.  The spokesperson of the police indicated that the police had indeed advised against Plaza Daniel Leo.  “There are too many high-rise around the plaza.  There is a risk that somebody might shoot a firearm from those buildings.”  The committee said that the Queens own security people have approved the location.