Curaçao coalition overrules Cabinet

April 04, 2011 6:32 AM

The fraction of coalition parties MFK, PS and MAN in Curaçao's Parliament have effectively overruled the Schotte Cabinet when it comes to the appointment of supervisory board members for the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS).

The three factions urgently call on the Council of Ministers to withdraw the decision to appoint Rudolf Baetsen of the Atlantis Casino Group as joint chairman and to inform St. Maarten that its nomination of former Lt. Governor Ralph Richardson as board member is "undesirable."

In a letter to Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte (MFK), the three faction leaders Dean Rozier (MFK), Helmin Wiels (PS) and Eunice Eisden (MAN) said the nomination of Baetsen and Richardson "has led to enormous criticism and disgust in the communities of Curaçao and St. Maarten in light of the negative impact on the integrity of the image of the Central Bank." In addition to dropping these two candidates, government is also urged to "in the future exercise the necessary care when it comes to sensitive appointments."

The Curaçao Business Association VBc had only recently expressed concern that the nomination of several candidates was controversial.

"It's obvious that board members of organisations, certainly those closely involved with the government, must be undisputed. This certainly plays a major role with an institution such as the Central Bank."

VBC further stated that CBCS was responsible for the value and stability of the currency unit of Curaçao and St. Maarten, for a sound financial system, as well as secure and efficient financial transactions. These objectives can only be realised if there is confidence in CBCS.

"In order to gain, radiate and maintain this confidence, is it important that the top level of CBCS (Management and the Supervisory Board) consists of persons who are professional, independent, incorruptible and of irreproachable conduct."

Furthermore, the business association wondered why Curaçao would choose someone from St. Maarten to become chairman of the board of CBCS. "After all, the Curaçao economy is three times as big as St. Maarten's."

4 April 2011