THE HAGUE - The Netherlands has not set new conditions for cooperation in the COHO file (The Caribbean Organ for Reform and Development), as stated by the Prime Ministers Wever-Croes (Aruba), Pisas (Curaçao) and Jacobs (Sint Maarten). In a letter that Undersecretary Raymond Knops of Kingdom Relations has sent to the Dutch House of Representatives today, he firmly refers the reproaches of the prime ministers to the realm of fables.
Although Knops formulates his response to the (for him unexpected) refusal of the countries to ratify an agreement reached earlier, it can be read between the lines that patience is running out on The Hague side. “This cabinet has tried to do everything it can to end this year in a different, positive way.”
Confusion
“As a result of the public reactions of the Prime Ministers of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten and the media coverage based on this, I notice that confusion has apparently arisen on a number of points. I therefore clarified a number of points in a letter to the Prime Ministers," said Knops.
In plain language: the undersecretary has thoroughly rebuked the prime ministers and pointed out to them that their attitude can have far-reaching consequences for their countries. “It begs the question to what extent there is the genuine desire and willingness to get started seriously with the Consensus Act and the necessary reforms.”
Warning
The passage “Now that it is unclear why this confirmation of the agreement has not been forthcoming and where exactly the countries now stand, it is not sufficiently clear to the Netherlands where we stand” can hardly be interpreted in any other way than a warning that the “non-mandatory aid” can be halted if the countries continue to resist.
Knops does not immediately lock the door: "During the Christmas period, I asked the countries to reflect on the way forward and how we can fruitfully enter into the intended cooperation for six years, taking into account previous agreements." To emphasize once again that it is not the Netherlands' fault, the undersecretary adds that "this cabinet has tried to do everything it can to be able to close this year in a different, positive way."