Oranjestad- The Island Council today adopted a motion to send commissioner Derrick Simmons and his advisor Xavier Blackman to The Hague between May 12 and May 19, to discuss a number of matters with the Dutch Government. The motion was adopted by Island Council Members Clyde van Putten (PLP, Rechelline Leerdam (PLP) and independent councilman Rueben Merkman, or in other words the parties who form the governing coalition on the island.

In the motion The Hague is urged to meet with both Simmons and Blackman. In the recent exchange of letters between The Hague and Oranjestad it seemed as if The Hague objected to Blackman traveling to The Hague to discuss matters between the island government and the BZK. BZK expressly indicated that travel related expenses of “advisors” would not be approved by The Hague.

The motion also calls on the Dutch Government to expedite the installation of the commission of ‘wise men’ which will try to find a way out of the stalemate between the government in Oranjestad and The Hague. The installation of the committee was agreed during meetings between BZK Secretary General Richard van Zwol and the island government.