Prime Minister Nelson Oduber’s Wife Glenda Oduber called as witness in Minister Ramon Lee Assault case

They just don’t get it. 18 months after the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and an image and perception by travelers that Aruba takes an apathetic approach to crime, they are doing it again. This time to one of their own. It is hard to imagine that these are the words of a leader. One would think they would want to get to the bottom of an alleged crime, not whine and make excuses. Then again … that is the MO.

Glenda Oduber, the wife of Prime Minister Nelson Oduber was called as a witness in the alleged sexual assault matter against Minister Ramon Lee. The Prime Minister’s wife was asked to testify as the victim claims she telephoned her about what had occurred. What is more disturbing are the comments coming from the Prime Minister. Oduber, are you telling us that there are 100’s of people alleging sexual assaults against your ministers every day? Really? Are you saying so many calls come in alleging assault? You mean you cannot determine the difference between an assault and a nuisance call? Also, the Prime Minister has just admitted they cannot or is it (will not) check everything whether they are true or not.  Isn’t that par for the course?

“Hundreds of people call here every day with all sorts of stories.  We cannot check everything whether they are true or not.  That would mean that we are in court every day or called to witness”, was the premier’s comment on the witness call. 

Because heaven forbid the stories be checked out to make sure the Aruban people are safe. I guess they randomly pick and chose what they deem politically expedient.

It’s not right for the government and definitely not for his wife.  He does not understand why his wife was called by the National detectives.  “This is a small community and everybody has stories.  Since I receive a lot of calls, my wife has become kind of a secretary at home.  She hears so many things, but she cannot determine what is true and what is not.”

So is Oduber saying, “big people lie” or is he saying he does not care to find out whether an accusation of sexual assault against one of his party ministers is true or not. No wonder an American tourist like Natalee Holloway cannot get a fair shake and real investigation … does not appear that they care very much about their own woman either. From Oduber’s comments, it sounds like this is just a nuisance for him. What world do these people live in that they bed for tourism and yet continuously show an apathetic attitude toward potential crime?

Amigoe, November 27, 2006: Wife Prime Minister witness in Lee-case 

ORANJESTAD – Glenda Oduber, wife of Prime Minister Nelson Oduber (MEP) is called to witness in the matter of the reporting against Minister Ramon Lee.  The national detective is currently investigating a reporting on sexual offence against the minister of Labour, Sport, and Culture.  Oduber’s wife is interrogated because before the reporting, the supposed victim had telephoned her about what happened.   “Hundreds of people call here every day with all sorts of storeys.  We cannot check everything whether they are true or not.  That would mean that we are in court every day or called to witness”, was the premier’s comment on the witness call. 

Oduber says that they received the call to witness via fax around 16:30 on Thursday.  Several newspapers reported this the next day already, which is very strange.  “Only we and the Public prosecutor are supposed to know about the call”, said Oduber.  His opinion is that all the parties have to be careful and reserved about the case.  “It’s a very sensitive matter and I regret the way everything is now in the media.  I also regret the fact that I had to hear the woman cry again telling her story on several radio stations today (Friday, editor).” 

He therefore hopes that the OM will soon have a definite answer on the legal actions and on what had happened exactly.  It’s not right for the government and definitely not for his wife.  He does not understand why his wife was called by the National detectives.  “This is a small community and everybody has stories.  Since I receive a lot of calls, my wife has become kind of a secretary at home.  She hears so many things, but she cannot determine what is true and what is not.  Why didn’t the woman go straight to the police instead of calling my house?  Only somebody that has seen what happened or that knows the details can be considered a witness.  And that’s not my wife.”