Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CURACAO91
2008-07-01 12:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Curacao
Cable title:  

UNCHARACTERISTIC VIOLENCE BREAKS OUT AFTER CURACAO ISLAND

Tags:  PGOV NA NL 
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P 011239Z JUL 08
FM AMCONSUL CURACAO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2166
INFO AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL CURACAO
UNCLAS CURACAO 000091 


DEPT FOR WHA\CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV NA NL
SUBJECT: UNCHARACTERISTIC VIOLENCE BREAKS OUT AFTER CURACAO ISLAND
PARLIAMENT APPROVES FINANCIAL SUPERVISION FROM THE NETHERLANDS

UNCLAS CURACAO 000091


DEPT FOR WHA\CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV NA NL
SUBJECT: UNCHARACTERISTIC VIOLENCE BREAKS OUT AFTER CURACAO ISLAND
PARLIAMENT APPROVES FINANCIAL SUPERVISION FROM THE NETHERLANDS


1. Limited violent incidents erupted in Curacao after the Island
Parliament narrowly approved on June 26 a motion providing for
temporary financial supervision from the Netherlands in exchange
for debt relief. Island MP and Sovereign People (PS) party
leader Helmin Wiels called for civil disobedience, and said
during a parliamentary meeting "you can expect war in this
country if you agree with financial supervision."


2. Opposition parties' supporters tried to disrupt the process
by blocking streets, creating civil unrest and by organizing
various rallies against the governing coalition. Some 50-75
followers of the opposition Patriotic Alliance (AP) coalition
barricaded streets in downtown Willemstad, but police were able
to clear the area. One arrest was made. The demonstrators vented
their anger by hurling stones and other objects and damaging
vehicles in areas frequently visited by European Dutch. An
Antillean man, reportedly incorrectly thought to be Dutch, had
to be hospitalized when his skull was fractured after being
attacked later that evening.


3. GONA Justice Minister David Dick and members of the police
management team announced that the police will immediately take
action against the slightest provocation that may occur during
subsequent demonstrations. Island Governor Lisa Dindial
announced in a nationally-televised speech that violence and
discrimination would not be tolerated. Various organizations,
among them the council of churches, the employers' association,
opposition parties MAN, Forsa Korsou, and the Democratic Party,
also condemned the random acts of violence perpetrated against
persons thought to be European Dutch.


4. The governing coalition parties are expected to move forward
with the process that will eventually lead to dissolving the
Netherlands Antilles and the creation of an autonomous Curacao
within the Dutch Kingdom, expected in 2010-11. Local media
reports indicate that the majority of Curacao residents
disapprove of the opposition supporters' recent tactics, but
these indicate the opposition's growing desperation as the
constitutional change process continue.

DUNN