Natalee Holloway Investigation: Justice-minister Rudy Croes, “I was not Warned about the 3 Suspects Detention” … The Cover Up Continues

Tourism and Economic Interests over Solving Crimes at all Cost

Was the case of Natalee Holloway by Aruban OM Hans Mos shut down in Aruba by the powers that be? Are people in the Aruban government still providing preferential treatment and running cover for Joran Van der Sloot, Deepak Kalpoe and Satish Kalpoe? The recent actions of Aruban OM are beginning to make sense.

(Reputation Harmed Again? Welcome to the face of Aruban Tourism)

It would appear that Justice Minister Rudy Croes is miffed over the fact that he was not in the loop regarding  the recent re-arrest of the three suspects, Deepak Kalpoe, Satish Kalpoe and Joran Van der Loot, in the Natalee Holloway investigation. It would also seem that there is an admission from the Aruban government official that Aruba’s reputation was harmed again internationally.

Justice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP) says that he should have been informed earlier of the detention of the three suspects in the Holloway-case.  “Now that everything is back on the table, the reputation of Aruba is harmed again internationally.”

The admission that some may have not been in the loop begins to make some sense as to how Aruban OM Hans Mos began this recent arrest, prosecution and comments on TV like a lion and ended like a lamb. This seems to play into the idea of  “governmental pressure” that has been discussed as to why Hans Mos did an about face on his criminal prosecution and the release of the three suspects. How does one go from having new evidence, making re-arrests of the Kalpoes, have Natalee’s parents fly to Aruba and flying Joran Van der Sloot to Aruba from Holland after his arrest only to have nothing?

Talk about a conflict of doing one’s duties. An OM looking to prosecute cases and a Justice Minister looking only to promote an island’s reputation. Does this mean that Mos had every intention of prosecuting and had new evidence against the three suspects; however, when the news of new evidence was learned by the Justice Minister was immediately squelched? Thus leaving Mos with the embarrassment of I have new evidence only to be left holding the bag and egg on his face. All at the cost of a family and their search for answers and justice for their missing daughter. Let us not forget the comments that Jossy Mansur, Managing Editor of Diario, made recently with regards to the actions of OM Mos:

It has become obvious to us and to the independent part of the population that the prosecutors will only act on behalf of the government against its opponents, but never….and I will repeat NEVER against the corrupt Ministers and Parliament members of the ruling party. (Jossy Mansur, 12/9/07)

WAS HAN’S MOS SHUT DOWN BY THE MEP ARUBAN GOVERNMENT? Enter Justice Minister Rudy Croes. It has always been discussed the friends that Paul Van der Sloot had in high and influential places. Ministers, who as Hans Mos states are more concerned with the reputation and tourism economy of Aruba than with solving a criminal case of a missing Alabama teenager, Natalee Holloway.

 … the OM makes decisions and the minister must not work against it.  Some people are more worried about the reputation of the country than they are about solving criminal cases.  These seem to be subordinated to economic interests; you can then do away with the police and justice.” 

The above comments say a mouth full. It is an admission that Aruba puts its tourism ahead of any type of investigation into the case of a missing American. The investigation was not based upon fact finding, it was based upon how Aruba’s image would be tarnished.

OM has not warned me on time (Amigoe: 12/14/07)

Same as last time, a huge amount of media came to Aruba this time to cover the detention of the three suspects.

ORANJESTAD – Justice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP) says that he should have been informed earlier of the detention of the three suspects in the Holloway-case.  “Now that everything is back on the table, the reputation of Aruba is harmed again internationally.”

The case could have been dealt with more carefully if he was informed on time, suggested the minister.  “Was it well-considered to make the arrests?  If there were plenty of evidence, they would not have been released.”  He considers the contact between him and the Public Prosecutor (OM) about the recent developments in the Holloway-case an abnormal working situation.  “As a matter of fact, I am ultimately responsible for this matter; the OM falls under my policy.  Doesn’t that mean that I should have been informed in advance?  There is no need for me to do anything any longer and we must save what can be saved.  Let’s drop the case as soon as possible.”

According to chief district attorney Hans Mos, the justice-minister, who as opposed to Parliament is politically responsible for the actions of the OM, was one of the first persons that were informed after the arrests. “He was immediately informed together with the prime minister.   Our scheme clearly mentions that.”  He says that it is however unusual to inform the minister in advance of an arrest.  “That only happened in very special cases that affect the public order and safety of a country, like with terrorist crimes.  In individual criminal cases like this one, the OM makes decisions and the minister must not work against it.  Some people are more worried about the reputation of the country than they are about solving criminal cases.  These seem to be subordinated to economic interests; you can then do away with the police and justice.”  Mos emphasized that the government and the justice-minister could have always contacted him about the case.  “But the minister has not once asked for an explanation on the arrests.  I would have done this with pleasure.”

Besides, the OM doesn’t want to continue dragging the case and has decided to set the deadline on December 31 of this year.  The prosecution is currently thinking over continuing or dismissing the case.  That all three suspects appealed to their right to remain silent after their arrest was an obstacle for justice.  That was also the reason why the judge has decided to release them from custody, because it didn’t serve any purpose.

RESEARCH SHIP DELAYED DUE TO OLGA

The unusual December storm in the Caribbean, Olga, has delayed the arrival of the research ship that Dave Holloway wants to bring to Aruba to search the seabed for the body of his daughter.  The management of Texas Equusearch ‘Mounted Search and Recovery Team’ cannot say when the search can start.  “Keep praying”, said the relief organization on the website.  The tropical storm Olga has already caused the death of 8 persons in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.