WILLEMSTAD--Minister of Constitutional and Home Affairs Roland Duncan (National Alliance) has clarified his recent statement about the stewardship of Central Government/Curaçao towards the other islands of the Netherlands Antilles through his ministry.

Duncan gave detailed information to back up his pointing to the current process to break up the Netherlands Antilles as an end result of a "rip-off." Curacao daily newspaper "Ultimo Noticia" on page 10 of its July 20, 2010 edition had published an article titled "Minister Duncan: Antias a 'rip-off' St. Maarten pa mas ku 50 ana."

Duncan says while majority of the quotes were correctly attributed to him, the article contained several errors and failed to provide the full story.

That Curaçao opposition party MAN had reacted angrily is nothing more than an emotional outburst aimed at inciting the people of Curacao against him.

Duncan pointed out that the acronym MAN stands for "New Antillean Movement" (Movemento Antia Nobo), but the party stubbornly continued to hold on to this name despite the demise of the Netherlands Antilles. "The party further deliberately - and erroneously - confuses and personifies Curaçao ('Korsou') with the Netherlands Antilles."

"Contrary to the nonsense Curaçao politicians feed the people there, St. Maarten contributes more than its fair share of tax revenues to the Government of the Netherlands Antilles.

Since January 1, 1997 a Turnover Tax of 3 per cent on gross receipts of businesses has been levied and collected by the Antillean government on St. Maarten. Government of the Netherlands Antilles had collected yearly more than 80 million guilders from 1997!

"Additionally, Government of the Netherlands Antilles collects gasoline excise, transfer tax, succession tax, etc. The Bureau Telecommunication and Post also collects annually license fees in the millions.

"St. Maarten - the tourist island - annually provides Central Bank of the Netherlands Antilles millions in foreign exchange license fees. Social security premiums are also levied on St. Maarten.

"Anyone living on St. Maarten can attest to services of the Government of the Netherlands Antilles being deficient. Most departments of the Antillean Government are understaffed or non-existent on St. Maarten. In short, St. Maarten contributes MORE to Government of the Netherlands Antilles than it receives in services.

"A 'rip-off' is when the provider does not provide or deliver services or goods that it has contracted to or is bound to provide or deliver! Fact is the Netherlands Antilles have failed not only St. Maarten, but all of its constituent islands! This is logically the primary reason this 'country' has fallen apart and the islands are going their own ways!

Duncan referred to MAN party accusing him of "living a life of luxury on Curaçao from the tax payers of Curaçao" and that it is therefore a shame that he should dare say what he said. MAN party further alleged that Duncan does not like Curaçao and its people.

"Not only are these allegations false - as the undersigned is entitled to the same privileges all ministers enjoy (Curaçao has 6 ministers and St. Maarten 2) - but they assume that the undersigned would therefore not be free to speak his opinion. In short, I do not have fundamental freedom of speech.

"MAN party is typically trying to 'kill the messenger' but cannot successfully refute the message! Moreover, MAN party has proven its un-democratic nature and attitude!

"MAN party is highly insulted by the statement that the police department and the prison on St. Maarten are deficient. But is that not true? "What contribution has Government of the Netherlands Antilles made to the infrastructure of St. Maarten in the last 50 years?

Before they say such is the responsibility of the Island Territory, I humbly refer to the many infrastructural projects and funding Government of the Netherlands Antilles has carried out on Curaçao!

"MAN party alleges that taxes of Curaçao have covered the budgets of St. Maarten. This does not merit much of an answer. When and how so?

"MAN party then ignores the responsibility of the Netherlands Antilles for its constituents by blaming Holland for putting the capital in Curaçao. It is logical - if Curaçao politicians (like those of MAN party) wish to assume responsibility for running of the Netherlands Antilles- they must also carry the responsibility for their failed management and leadership.

"By the way, who incurred a five billion guilder debt? And where were these funds spent? Let us compare Curaçao's and St. Maarten's shares in this enormous debt!!

"It is evident that MAN party is deliriously holding on to the defunct political system called 'Netherlands Antilles' and continues to cry and lament its demise and - thus - also fight the constitutional process and the end it will bring to mentioned political system.

"But then again, MAN party is itself in an identity crisis, with a party board (President and General Secretary), Party Leader and now also 'Number one on the list,' all representing it. We wonder who represents what, especially now that the board also makes 'political' statements, as in the note referred to.

"In light of the afore-mentioned, I need not apologise to the people of Curaçao, neither do I have to prove my love and ties to Curaçao and the other islands, including Aruba. That's not for MAN party to judge! Ta fo'i su kwenta!! "

"What the article in 'Ulitimo Noticia' failed to mentioned was my statement that I believe and maintain that once the islands have left the Antillean political system, they shall be able to operate and functionally co-operate much better, in a more efficient and beneficial manner than before, because they shall be dealing 'one on one' and not in an un-democratic system dominated and run by (politicians from) one island."

"I always use European countries as an example to justify cooperation. They have put aside 1000 years of wars and dominance, to bind themselves to a union, and act as a group, 'one on one' based on agreements reached voluntarily!

"St. Maarten and Curaçao - and for that matter none of the Dutch islands in Caribbean- have never fought a war against each other. We can cooperate on a voluntary and mutually beneficial basis, if we are sensible and rational. "

"I further maintain that the Netherlands Antilles and its government have also failed the island of Curaçao, with its inefficient, deficient and stifling double government layer."