The Netherlands to Aruba, Governmental Power of Aruba is Unsatisfactory

The Netherlands have said more than a mouth full this time, calling the governmental power in Aruba unsatisfactory. What does Aruba want, besides their cake and to eat it too? Justice Minister Rudy Croes has stuck his foot in his mouth maybe one too many times.  Nelson Oduber, the Aruban Prime Minister, made the following comment,“Aruba does not want independence; we cannot handle that. Aruba wants financial independence and no supervision from the Netherlands.”

While you are on the topic of and unsatisfactory government, would the Dutch like to comment on some other aspects of the Aruban infrastructure that is unsatisfactory? Like say their investigation processes into crimes against tourists where prominent people on Aruba are suspects?

Amigoe, Sept. 18, 2007: The Netherlands: ‘Governmental power of Aruba unsatisfactory’

ORANJESTAD – The Netherlands wants a dialogue with Aruba about the differences in opinion on the desired autonomy and the governmental power of the island.

The Netherlands has noticed that ‘regularly there are indications of governmental incidents’ and the governmental power qualifies as unsatisfactory.  Same arrangements on good governance must therefore be made with Aruba as with the Antillean islands on their way to a new political structure.

This is stated in Chapter IV Kingdom Relations of the Dutch 2008 budget presented to the Dutch Parliament today.

Aruban ministers have often declared themselves openly in favour of independence.  Justice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP) said that he is ashamed of his Dutch passport and that he prefers an Aruban one.  Also Prime Minister Nelson Oduber had the word independence in his mouth recently, when the Plant NV deal failed.  He even forbid his civil servants to take part in the negotiations regarding the new political structure of the Antilles.  In the meantime, the Aruban government seems to be seeking rapprochement again.  The governor said last week during the opening of the new parliamentary session that the government strives for strengthening the ties with the partners within the Kingdom.  

The Netherlands now wants a dialogue with Aruba to improve the island’s government and tie this into conversations on political adjustment and conversations on the cooperation program that comes to an end in 2009.  However, Aruba would like the Netherlands to continue participating in the Fondo Desaroyo Aruba (FDA).  But up till now, the Netherlands has been varying her expressions on this.  There is a political deliberation on the continuation of the development relation in the fall of 2007. 

The maintenance of law and order program is part of this and will be included in the discussion.  Important point of interest is the immigration policy, according to the Netherlands. 

The support from the Netherlands for the public finances will continue.  The dept-quote is anticipated to increase with one percent this year to 47.5 percent of the gross domestic product (BBP).  The real growth in relation to the BBP is estimated on 1.5 to 2 percent.  The Netherlands bases herself on the figures of the Central Bank of Aruba.  “

As part of promoting the autonomy of the Kingdom partners, it is of great importance that the countries are not too dependent of third parties financially.  This is expressed in a reduction of the debt-quote of both countries.”  The Netherlands is also of the opinion that thanks to a favourable economic development, the Aruban government can have the budget deficit under control with some specific measures.

As part of the political renewals, the Solidarity fund between the islands of the Neth.Antilles and Aruba will be canceled out.  This is a financial benefit of 4 million euro for Aruba that can be put in the FDA.