Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--Dutch Minister of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk wants a "sit down" with the St. Maarten Government to talk about the execution of recommendations from the Integrity Reports, particularly the one compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Caretaker Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams said Plasterk's letter stated that he would make "no decision" on government's approach to the recommendations until such a meeting takes place. Government had submitted its "plan of approach" to the recommendations of the reports to the Dutch Government in October.
Plasterk's letter, addressed to Justice Minister Dennis Richardson, was received two weeks ago. Wescot-Williams said at the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday she "only learnt" that morning of the letter.
The press briefing held in A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall was the first one since the August 29 Parliamentary Elections and may possibly be the last one of this Wescot-Williams III Cabinet.
Wescot-Williams and Finance Minister Martin Hassink thanked a number of people and departments with whom they have worked in the past years. Both ministers will not be part of what is expected to be the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet.
Hassink was asked at the press conference if he was willing to stay on as finance minister should the minister candidate for his ministry not pass his security and integrity screening. Hassink said he was willing to stay on for at least three months to try to complete the draft 2015 budget. He sees himself more effective as an advisor to the ministry than as the minister.
