St. Maarten reportedly bowed out of plans to organise the upcoming Kingdom Conference (see Monday paper). Curaçao agreed to do the honours instead.
According to caretaker Dutch State Secretary of Kingdom Relations Alexandra van Huffelen, St. Maarten Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs indicated that it would to be too busy at the end of the year with parliamentary elections due in January. One would assume a high-ranking delegation led by her will still attend, so the question is too busy for whom?
Both cabinet members and legislators are full-time functions, while the latter already have a summer recess and – normally – short Christmas break. It’s not the first time something similar happens, as the Inter-Parliamentary Kingdom Consultation IPKO has also been affected by a return to the polls in the past.
One can understand December being campaign season, but does that mean public administrators, elected representatives and relevant officials have no time to handle the people’s business? Successfully hosting this supposedly historic gathering could enhance the country’s standing in the Kingdom of The Netherlands as well.
Perhaps there is concern that some may misuse the opportunity to practise politics rather than entertain sound discussions. Or maybe the message of cooperation and unity usually heard at the end of such meetings doesn’t coincide with more divisive and separatist words often uttered for local consumption.
Either way, there was not much reason to worry, because interest in these kinds of proceedings isn’t exactly high. Their usefulness as platforms to gain political mileage therefore remains limited at best.
Tourism is what “The Friendly Island” does and the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market has grown in importance. Elections, never mind campaigns, are hardly a valid excuse to shun that role of accommodating destination; no ifs, no buts.
