RESTRAINED DUTCH REACTION TO LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 002072

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, S/CPR and EUR/UBI; S/CT, EB/ESC/ESP,
DOJ for OIA/JUDI FRIEDMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL NA NL
SUBJECT: RESTRAINED DUTCH REACTION TO LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

REF: CURACAO 607


1. Summary: Dutch government and party spokesmen are clearly
unhappy with the appointment of inexperienced Mirna Godett
as the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles, as
well as with the criticism and inflammatory statements
directed against the Netherlands by her brother, political
strongman Anthony Godett and his claims to be the power
behind the throne. However, GoNL leaders are cautious not
to be drawn into a public row, stressing the importance of
good relations and keeping the Antilles together. The GoNL
recognizes the need for change in the political structure
and financial relations with Antilles but does not view
independence of the Antilles as a positive step, citing good
law enforcement cooperation as a common interest to the
entire Kingdom of the Netherlands. Upcoming visits by a
senior Dutch parliamentary delegation and the Dutch Justice
Minister will serve as test cases for the state of Dutch-
Antillean relations. End summary.

Questions over appointment of Mirna Godett
--------------


2. The appointment of Mirna Godett, sister of POL party
leader Anthony Godett (reftel),as Prime Minister of the
Netherlands Antilles has caused consternation among Dutch
politicians. The fact that she stepped in for her brother
Anthony Godett, who could not become Prime Minister because
of a corruption investigation, was dismissed by many as
objectionable and undemocratic. Party spokesmen fear that
her appointment will affect stability in the Antilles and
result in a change for the worse in Kingdom relations. They
also question her qualifications, as she has hardly any
education and no political experience.

Press conference of Mirna and Anthony Godett
--------------


3. No doubt prompted by the adverse reactions in the
Netherlands, Mirna and Anthony Godett gave a joint press
conference to the Dutch press on August 12, one day after
she was sworn in as PM. Mirna, while stating that her main
goal was to improve relations with the Netherlands, charged
that the Dutch often had no understanding of the Antilles'
position. Both Anthony and Mirna demanded greater respect
from the Netherlands, as well as to be treated as equal
partners. "Mutual respect is not imposing one's position on
the other like the Netherlands does, governing with the
remote control and threatening via the IMF to impose even
more austerity measures." Mirna also rejected the Dutch
reproach that the Antilles are run by the mob. "When it
comes to Mafiosi and corrupt figures, the Netherlands has
the lead, also in politics but I won't cite names."


4. Anthony Godett charged that the Netherlands, "as a
colonial power," should give the Antilles a significantly
higher amount of money. He wants no further dealings with
the IMF, stating that the IMF has "killed the patient." He
opined that the money that is now spent by the GoNL on
dealing with drug couriers (such as on the much-contested
body scan system at Curacao's Hato airport) should instead
be spent on education, employment and special projects in
the Antilles. Despite such calls for increased funding,
Godett spoke of proposing a separate status within the
Kingdom, similar to that of Aruba, with full independence in
due course. In a move that further demonstrates his distaste
for the Dutch, Anthony advocated changing the official
language of the Antilles from Dutch to English.

Dutch Reactions to Press Conference
--------------


5. Dutch politicians were not amused by what they called
"unnecessary provocations" at the press conference, which
they fear could have an adverse effect in the Dutch
parliament. Still, they preferred to avoid a public fight
with the Antilles in the media. "It seems better not to
react. Any reaction is oil on the fire," said Labor party
spokesman John Leerdam. Prime Minister Balkenende and
Kingdom Affairs Minister Thom de Graaf stated they assume
that good relations will continue until proven otherwise.
Note: Since the integrity of Mirna Godett has not been
called into question, the GONL regards her as its main
interlocutor. End Note.


6. However, in responding to the Godetts' complaints,
Kingdom Affairs Minister De Graaf recognized that no one in
the Antilles is happy with the way in which the Antilles is
currently organized. He is prepared to talk with the
Antillean government about changing the political and
financial setup with and within the Antilles. For example,
he favors granting the individual Antillean islands more
autonomy in relation to the national Antillean government on
Curacao.

7. De Graaf objects to granting Curacao a separate status
within the Kingdom because the GoNL believes this will only
result in the disintegration of the Antilles and will not
resolve any of Curacao's real social, financial and economic
problems. He noted that it had been a mistake to grant
Aruba a separate status. "Curacao can choose for either full
cooperation within the Kingdom or independence, but not
something in-between." De Graaf also went on to acknowledge
that the 1954 Statute of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is
out of date. The Netherlands is now embedded in Europe, and
de Graaf proposed that Aruba and the Antilles decide within
two years if they want ultra-periphery EU status. De Graaf
commented "The status of ultra-periphery EU status signifies
that these countries must adopt the whole EU legislation,
which has major consequences. My goal is not to get rid of
the Antilles and Aruba. For this I find our common history
too valuable. But things must change in the relationship in
order to sustain it."


8. De Graaf doubts that an independent Curacao could survive
economically and could do what is necessary to combat drugs
and terrorism. "It would make more sense if we worked hard
on a few very good concrete agreements on the political and
financial reorganization of the Antilles, a good socio-
economic policy and a joint approach to law enforcement."
De Graaf continues to place emphasis on law enforcement,
noting that it is an issue of major importance to the entire
Kingdom which must be addressed at all levels. In
responding to a call to remove the body scan system (placed
to detect cocaine balloon swallowers) at Hato airport, de
Graaf noted that the GoNL could not stop the Antillean
government from doing so, but that such actions would affect
the relationship, law enforcement programs, and financial
relations.

Parliamentary visit called into question
--------------


9. In late August, the leaders of political parties in the
Dutch parliament plan to visit the Antilles. Said Anthony,
"Mirna won't have time for them. The Prime Minister and FOL
ministers won't receive them. They are simply lower in
hierarchy. I will do the job for her." The leaders of
coalition parties in the Dutch parliament are now debating
whether to go through with their planned visit in late
August. "There is little point in going if important
persons don't want to speak to us for reasons of prestige,"
said one leader. However, delegation leader and parliament
president Frans Weisglas opined that the delegation should
go "because we are going at the invitation of the Antillean
parliament and not the government, and it would be unfair to
leave them out in the cold. Frictions with the government
should not stop us from going."

Sobel