GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES 10/10/10 ANTILLES DISSOLUTION DURING

UNCLAS CURACAO 000070 DEPT FOR FOR PM, WHA\CAR, AND WHA\PPC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: NA AA NL PGOV PREL SUBJECT: GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES 10/10/10 ANTILLES DISSOLUTION DURING OPENING OF PARLIAMENT REF: CURACAO 069 ¶1. (U) Governor General Frits Goedgedrag's speech at the opening of parliament September 8 focused on the upcoming dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles (NA). He began his speech with the words, "ten, ten, ten - 10 October 2010. That's the date that the government has in mind for the moment of commencement of the new political order." The message that the Governor brought to the legislature was clear: the dissolution of the NA and transfer of authority to the new political entities must continue apace. The current parliament expires in March, 2010. The Netherlands Antilles Government (GONA) last month announced that national parliamentary elections will be held in January, 2010. The Governor noted that there is still a lot of work to be done to review pending dissolution legislation and that the legislation forming the new status of Curacao, St. Maarten, and the BES islands (Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius) is scheduled to go into effect in the summer of 2010. He told parliament that, "as representatives of the people, you still have an important task to fulfill during the last year of the Netherlands Antilles existence regarding the realization of legislation without which the forming of the new entities and dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles cannot be realized." ¶2. (U) Although Governor Goedgedrag focused on the government's goal to finish dismantling the NA on October 10, 2010, the exact transition date will be determined jointly by all Kingdom partners at the end of this September. The Government of the Netherlands has expressed doubt as to whether legislation can be passed in time to meet the October, 2010 dissolution target. The newly announced January 2010 elections (reftel) could create additional delay, while a change in government following those elections could further complicate the dismantling process. Although significant majorities in St. Maarten and the BES islands support dissolution, the Governor noted that tensions still exist in Curacao following the May, 2009 referendum that narrowly supported the agreements related to dissolution. He stressed the need to move forward with dissolution and told members that "your support and trust for the success of the necessary reformations is essential." ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: The 10/10/10 timetable outlined by Governor Goedgedrag is ambitious. Many political contacts expect that further delay may be likely even if the current coalition is able to maintain its majority in the upcoming January 2010 elections. END COMMENT DUNNTJ