Sint Eustatius – Eilandsraadslid Clyde van Putten, die in politiek Den Haag als een notoire dwarsligger worden beschouwd, is bereid in het conflict met regeringscommissaris Alida Francis en haar plaatsvervanger Claudia Toet water bij de wijn te doen.
Dat blijkt uit een schriftelijke verklaring van Van Putten. Vandaag wordt een begin gemaakt met de mediation tussen de leden van de Eilandsraad en de regeringscommissarissen. Daarvoor zijn de oud-premiers Maria Liberia-Peters en Suzy Camelia-Römer ingehuurd.
“Als het bemiddelingsproces enig succes wil hebben, zullen zowel de Eilandsraadsleden als de bestuurders bereid moeten zijn compromissen te sluiten”, aldus Van Putten in een voor zijn doen opvallend verzoenende toon.
Statement Van Putten
Island Council member Clyde van Putten said over the weekend, that the mediation process between the Government Commissioners and members of the Island Council, which is slated to begin on Monday March 7, 2022 will be hinged by and large on the willingness of both parties to strike a compromised.
Van Putten said that if the mediation process is to yield any success both members of the Island Council as well as the Executive Council must be willing to add water to the wine and to make compromises in reaching an agreement that must serve in the interest of all the people of St. Eustatius.
The mediation process between the Government Commissioners and Island Council members became necessary following an acrimonious meeting of the island council on December 23, 2021, which led members of the Island Council to table a motion on the floor of the Council calling for immediate mediation between both parties. As a result of this, both sides were able to put forward a mediator in the persons of two former Prime Ministers of the Netherlands Antilles namely, Suzie Camelia Romer and Maria Liberia- Pieters.
Van Putten said he has every confidence in the track record and experiences of both ladies and that they would be able to bring the two parties together with the ultimate aim in reaching lasting cooperation between both members of the Executive and Island council.
After all, it’s not about us; it is about the general interest of the people of St. Eustatius. I am going into these meetings with an open mind but with a clear understanding that we must reach agreements that will serve as an impetuous in working towards the general well being of the people of St. Eustatius.
Van Putten said that he was of the view that the whole process towards the restoration of democracy here on St. Eustatius is the main point of contention between the working relationship with members of the Executive and Island Council.
He further stated said that it is the view of members of the Island Council that they are kept in the dark and that there is not enough transparency and trust between both parties. He also said that it is the hope that after this mediation process that the impasse can be broken where the trust and working relationship can be restored base on mutual respect, understanding and equality. He also believed that the states secretary for kingdom relation must play an important role by expediting the full restoration of democracy in this process going forward in keeping with the wishes as was expressed by the people during the elections for the Island Council in October of 2020.