More Fall Out from Rudy Croes’ Comments,”breaks off with the Netherlands”

There seems to be more legs to the story that was originally reported where Aruban Justice Minister, Rudy Croes, called for a break with the Netherlands. Regarding the comments, sources in Aruba  say the following:

Since most of his attributes as Minister of Justice have been taken away by Holland. To utter that threat is easy for a man who doesn’t measure the consequences of his statements. Neither him nor anyone else in government has the power to proclaim Aruba’s independence from Holland. Only the people can ask for that in a referendum if it’s what the majority wants, but as far as we are aware of, the absolute majority of the Aruban population doesn’t want to sever ties with Holland.

The quote from the Prime Minister of the Antilles emphasizes the bewilderment she feels at such an unprovoked, unexpected and useless statement.

Amigoe, June 4, 2007: Aruban minister Croes breaks off with the Netherlands    

ORANJESTAD – The Aruban Justice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP breaks off all ties with the Netherlands and will no longer collaborate with this country in the future.   He said that in Colombia , where he is currently.    

The Amigoe already reported last Friday that Aruba will start with not attending the next tripartite between the Justice-ministers of the Netherlands , the Neth.Antilles, and Aruba .   “The Netherlands is playing games with us”, said Croes.   With his statement he joins the position of Prime Minister Nelson Oduber, who indicated earlier this week that due to the attitude of the Netherlands , he has not been in this country for year-and-a-half already.    

Rudy Croes took his statements in Colombia even a little further.   According to ANP, he even prohibits all contacts between people for his department and the Netherlands .   Aruba has already been talking about the (further) judicial collaboration when the new political division of the Kingdom takes place on December 15th, 2008.    

Croes’ statements surprised the Antillean Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage ( PAR ), who paid Aruba an official visit in the past days.   Also the Antillean Justice-minister David Dick ( PAR ) says that he had not talked to Croes yet.   He wonders what motivated Croes to take this decision.    

Two matters are playing part in the dispute between Aruba and the Netherlands : the Aruban loan of 50 million dollars for which the Kingdom (read: the Netherlands ) is making reservations; and the other matter is the proceeds on the buildings in which the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino are established.