"We did it"

September 15, 2010 11:33 AM

We did it and it will really happen now." That was the gist of Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage's address at the opening of the last legislative year of the Antillean Parliament, which will last less than a month.

Normally this speech is held by the Antillean Governor on behalf of the Central Government, but the prime minister can also do it. She referred to the completion of the process of constitutional change for the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles.

"On the 10th of October, the Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist. On this day Curaçao and St. Maarten will become autonomous countries in the Kingdom and Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will become Dutch public entities.

"This implies that never before in our history a parliamentary year will be as short as this parliamentary year, which will not even last a month. In the coming weeks we need to complete the transfer of tasks to the new countries, thus ending our role as a facilitator for the islands to obtain the constitutional structure they opted for.

"When back in 2006 the first cabinet De Jongh-Elhage presented its government declaration, I stated that government will follow a two-lane track. On the one hand working to realise the new constitutional structure and on the other hand giving full attention to the well-being of the people.

"Looking back, we must conclude that government has fully fulfilled its promise. As the entire world is suffering an economic crisis and unemployment has risen even in developed countries, in our country unemployment has dropped considerably. More people are currently working and we can be proud of this.

"Together we have achieved this progress: with confidence in our people, our economy and our constitutional state, a sound financial policy and Holland's payment of our debts.

"Also in the area of improvement of neighbourhoods, the 'integrale wijkaanpak,' much has been achieved. With funding by government, the islands and the Netherlands through Reda Sosial, AMFO, USONA, the Social Economic Initiative and 'Samenwerkende Fondsen Nederland,' with the support from the citizens of the neighbourhoods concerned, all five islands of the Netherlands Antilles can enjoy the positive results, not only in housing and infrastructure, but also in the field of formation, education, sports and employment.

"On the 10th of October, the Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist, and so will its Parliament. The five stars of our country will disperse, but we will retain the bonds of family and friendship, and we will remain in one Kingdom willing to help each other when necessary.

"This willingness to help each other forms the basis of our Kingdom; a kingdom also in which trust and mutual respect form a solid basis for cooperating with each other, such as we experienced in the past. The support which we received from Holland and Aruba has helped us to achieve the new constitutional structure.

"The five stars of our country will disperse.... But at the same time five new stars will emerge, shining on the firmament, five stars with a bright future ahead!

"It is up to all of us to join forces and to develop the new countries. A community we all can be proud of, islands on which there will be prosperity, social justice, a constitutional state and a responsible government where future generations will receive formation, education, work, sports training, healthcare and our elderly and disabled citizens will be well cared for.

"Achieving this is a great and historical challenge which we must face. The future is ours. Five beautiful islands, five brilliant stars in the Caribbean."

14 September 2010