TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Business wants continued assist from Netherlands

Interesting article especially last paragraph

Ouch! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Here is another article on the same subject as that last paragraph except with more detail.

http://today.sx/dutch-news/conditions-apply-dutch-ready-force-issue/

It is all very interesting. Sounds like they have until the end of the month to figure it out.

I completely understand the conundrum from the SXM government's point of view, at least as it has been presented so far. What I wonder though is whether or not these conditions are intended to be temporary or permanent. If there an end date of say one year from now after which these conditions would be lifted, then I see no good reason why they shouldn't be agreed to.

"Beggars can't be choosers" I see nothing wrong with these demands. There should also be hurricane building codes enforced on any project that use these funds.

I have been seeing this Integrity Chamber in the DH for quite some time, but don't really understand the issues involved. If it is about accountability for money in government, that is LONG overdue in my book. As far as border control, again, I'm not sure what it proposed. Do the Dutch actually want the borders to be closed between Dutch and French side?

Daily Herald editorial seems to agree with the idea.

http://today.sx/dutch-news/conditions-apply-dutch-ready-force-issue/

THE HAGUE – A Dutch fund – with hundreds of millions of euros – for the reconstruction of St. Maarten will only become available after the government of Prime Minister William Marlin agrees to two conditions from the Netherlands.

The funds are deperately needed by the PEOPLE of SXM, and the PM wants to maintain his control over who gets what,,,greed pure and simple.
The integrity chamber needs the power to oust the crookedest politicians and their minions. Too many SXMers are still without because of this PM Marlin's inability to lead!
Just my opinion

SHTA begs government to agree to Dutch conditions

Marlin responds. Daily Herald story More political BS..