Tuesday’s expected signing of a mutual regulation by Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten to replace the contested Kingdom Act establishing a Caribbean Body for Reform and Development COHO (see Friday/Saturday edition) is significant. It means basic understanding on executing and monitoring proposed restructuring measures has been reached with the Dutch government.
There was criticism from the opposition in Curaçao’s Parliament for not being informed before Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas travelled to The Hague, especially because his Aruban counterpart Evelyn Wever-Croes consulted her legislature. However, she did not discuss content and in Curaçao there was actually a closed-door committee meeting where Pisas (MFK) provided relevant information but several of the members now complaining did not even show up, according to MFK faction leader Amerigo Thodé.
Readers should keep in mind as well that it is mainly about format rather than substance. Instead of three persons appointed by the Netherlands guiding implementation of the reforms based on a kingdom law this will be now be done via joint cooperation and assistance agreements.
Concrete steps with an impact on society are in so-called country packages being prepared by a Temporary Work Organisation (TWO) that was to be succeeded by the COHO. This newspaper recently interviewed its St. Maarten liaison Arjen Alberts, which caused quite some consternation among local politicians, but he also could not tell the public exactly what awaits them.
So, while knowing the full text of any document signed on behalf of the people is obviously important, the real meat can probably be found in planned measures to – among other things – increase income for the national treasury, save cost, enhance efficiency and stimulate the economy. As usual, the devil will most probably be in the details.
