Two Members of Parliament asked this week for my opinion about reparation – financial compensation for the sufferings Caribbean ancestors had to endure during the slavery era. I do not consider myself a Dutchman, even though I have a Dutch passp
The story about the girl-fight on our front page today reveals a weakness in the judicial system – one that could have dire consequences one way or the other. Given the sequence of events described in the story it is clear that the two girls wil
St. Maarten News - Posted by admin on October 31, 2013
FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique — The number of travelers visiting the Caribbean from January through July was flat from a year earlier at 15.6 million, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Figures were released at CTO's State of the Indu
St. Maarten News - Posted by admin on October 31, 2013
THE HAGUE – According to Kingdom Relations Minister /Ronald Plasterk there are no indications “that the rights of homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders are not respected in Curacao.” The minister writes this in answer to questions f
St. Maarten News - Posted by admin on October 31, 2013
Victim’s attorney demands suspect’s immediate arrest St. Maarten / By Hilbert Haar – The mother finally decided to go to the media with the story about the feud between her now 22-year old daughter and a former housemate. It is a story abou
St. Maarten News - Posted by admin on October 31, 2013
St. Maarten – There are 45 candidates in twelve different categories vying this year for a Crystal Pineapple Award. The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association SHTA organizes the event for the eighth time. Like last year, the ceremony will ta
St. Maarten News - Posted by admin on October 31, 2013
“Accusations are totally unfounded” GEORGETOWN, Guyana – According to the Demerara Waves Online News site, the Guyanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday denied irregularities during the provision of consular services to Guyanese nation
The country is bracing for the austerity measures that will come with the draft 2014 budget. The message from both Finance Minister Martin Hassink and financial supervisor Cft is clear: budget with caution, do not spend more than you get in, and cap
St. Maarten News - Posted by admin on October 31, 2013
Intensive controls begin November 15 St. Maarten – So far, one out of seven motorists – approximately 3,600 – have not paid their road tax for 2013, leaving the government 1.5 million guilders short of expected revenue from this source. Fina
St. Maarten News - Posted by admin on October 31, 2013
Budget 2014 limited to 420 million guilders St. Maarten – Finance Minister Hassink and the Board for financial supervision (Cft) both commented on the draft 2014 budget yesterday. Hassink will take the Cft’s message to heart and budget with caut
St. Maarten News - Posted by admin on October 31, 2013
St. Maarten – Parliament yesterday resolved in a motion “to strongly condemn the actions taken by the management of RBC Bank.” In special session of parliament, the recent actions of the bank were roundly condemned by all factions present. Pres
St. Maarten News - Posted by admin on October 31, 2013
St. Maarten – Rieke Samson-Geerlings, Ronald Bandell and Erik van den Eemster have been appointed to the committee that will investigate integrity and corruption in St. Maarten. Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams revealed the names at yesterday�
St. Maarten News - Posted by admin on October 31, 2013
St. Maarten - On Tuesday, the St. Maarten Police department headed by Inspector Benjamin Gout (head of the traffic department) and bus drivers met at the Philipsburg police station to continue talks that started on October 22 about the end of the yea
