Island Government of Saba

Subject: Zagers returns from Holland satisfied with meeting

Commissioner of Finance, Bruce Zagers, returned on Wednesday after his recent visit to the Netherlands. Zagers elicited that he landed back on his home island of Saba with a sense of satisfaction regarding the short-notice meeting in The Netherlands. Island Secretary, Menno van der Velde was also part of the delegation who requested the urgent meeting with State Secretary Jan Kees de Jager.

Zagers stated to GIS, “The delegation in Bonaire did not have the liberty to answer many questions posed by the BES islands. It was obvious during the session that the issues needed to be discussed further on a political level. The delegation was instrumental in assisting the islands with the arranging of the meeting with the State Secretary in Holland”

“I am very grateful for the hospitality and the acceptance that the State Secretary has shown the delegation during our short visit. Although we had little time to sufficiently peruse all the underlying documentation in the fourth draft tax law, together with Statia we were able to bring forward the main issues. These main points were debated between the two islands, Saba and Statia, and at the end one document was created which was discussed with the State Secretary and his delegation.” stated Zagers

Currently, the proposed fourth draft tax laws are still of a confidential nature which means that specific details of the meeting were not given to GIS during the interview. Zagers elicited that he did not want to compromise the process, as significant improvements of the proposed tax law have recently been achieved during the meeting in Holland. “In the future when the documentation is somewhat finalized, information campaigns by both the Island Government and the Dutch Ministry of Finance will be launched to inform the citizens of the Island. I can say however, that the new proposal has an obvious shift in direct taxes to indirect taxes, meaning that tax burden would be shared.”

The fourth draft tax proposal is based on four main principles. The new system should generate sufficient revenues, but should be more or less equal to what is currently being collected. The new system should be simplified thus making it easier to implement and execute on all levels. There should also be a broad based level of acceptance of the new tax system. This system should stimulate economic activities on the BES islands. The foremost points which were brought up were centered on the four principles. It was in this manner that the delegation members were able to substantiate their arguments about their various concerns.

While in Holland, Zagers held a brief meeting with Mr. M.A.F Groenen who is a senior policy maker who is focusing on the dollarization process on the islands. Groenen, whom recently visited the islands, was unable to meet all the Government representatives due to the tax presentation on Bonaire. This provided a good opportunity to meet while in Den Haag, as both Commissioners of Finance were present. Zagers stated to GIS, “Different scenarios were discussed as to how we would proceed during the transition period before 2011 when the US Dollar would become our official currency. Mr. Groenen assured us that ample time will be given and information will be distributed to the population in as early as 1^st Quarter of 2010.”

Const. Affairs, Finance, General

Subject: Saba Delegation to discuss tax laws on Bonaire

October 20, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

On Tuesday, a delegation from Saba consisting of Commissioner Bruce Zagers, Island Secretary Menno van der Velde, and Pro-bono Advisor Will Johnson left Saba to attend tax discussions on Bonaire. The discussions will surround amendments made to the proposed third draft of the tax laws for the BES islands.

Based on very clear instructions from the Ministry of Finance in Holland, this documentation that is being discussed is still of a confidential nature. Being such, it cannot be divulged to the public until there is some certainty of a final draft. Since 2007 there has been three different variations of the tax law which were all different from one another. This variation will be the fourth.

Commissioner Bruce Zagers stated to GIS, “Since my tenure in 2007 as Commissioner of Finance, this is the fourth variation of the proposed tax law presented to the BES islands. I understand the stance of the Ministry of Finance by not divulging this information, because it will only cause undue stress to the community. There are still a lot of options open on the table for discussions so this is by no means a final documentation agreed upon between the BES islands.”

Zagers went on to say that “this delegation brings a wealth of experience to the table and will fight for the best interest of Saba and it’s population. The people of Saba can be rest assured that this delegation will defend the stance of Saba and will do its best to assure that the tax system is fair and realistic for Saba”.

Zagers understands that the people in the community are concerned about the uncertainty of the new tax laws. “The community should also realize that no island or country can function without a well working tax structure. The reality is that the tax Department has not functioned adequately for many years and because of this, many entities have grown used to somewhat of a “tax free land”.”

Over the past few decades some people have gotten away with not paying taxes, however, the proposed system will focus more on indirect taxes rather than direct taxes. Therefore, the tax burden gets shared amongst the community rather than individual entities.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption:

Const. Affairs, General

Dear All,

I would first like to thank all those in the media for the great coverage. It was an honor to give the press something new on international press day. One Dutch news article stated that anyone who did not know of Saba before yesterday definitely had a drastic change.

Firstly, I was very glad to see the wide spread response to the actions taken by Saba.  I think that we are accepting too many issues at face value. The smaller islands are being told what to do and are always expected to follow without any resistance or opinion.

With regards to the reaction from the Netherlands: I was dismayed to hear so many quickly saying that our intended path is not possible or legal.  To those of that opinion, I would like to ask “How was it possible for Aruba to leave the Netherlands Antilles without a complete dismantling of the Country?”  The issue of Aruba not only shows that this is possible and has already happened in the Netherlands Antilles just over twenty years ago.

Furthermore, it is also a common stance of the Dutch Government that if we want independence, we can have it by tomorrow.  If this is the case – Is this not a form of leaving the country?

The United Nations, of which the Netherlands is a staunch supporter, has declared that there is a right to self determination.  What happens to the right of self determination in the case where Saba needs the approval of parliament and the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, before it can change its status?  If this is the case it then means that the parliament of the Netherlands Antilles has more authority than the United Nations and stands above International law.

Saba’s Government is not opposed to the elections, it is opposed to what these elections represent.  They represent a lack of commitment on behalf of the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles to ever bring about real change in this country.  We on Saba enjoy a good election as much as any.  However, if our attempt to leave the country of the Netherlands Antilles is not accomplished then we will contest the central elections in full force.  We will do this to safeguard the position of the Island and not allow others to take advantage of our parliamentary seat.

During the Round Table Conference of December 15th, 2008 a member of the press asked Prime Minister Balkenende if the referendum outcome on Curacao would have any effect on the trajectory of the BES islands.  He stated twice, very clearly, that the results of the referendum on Curacao would have no effect on the BES islands.  One of the reasons given by Prime Minister De Jongh-El Hage for the upcoming central elections was because of the close results of the referendum the island would be unstable if elections were not called.  This means that indirectly we on Saba are still subjected to the results of the referendum on Curacao.  This result in turn will have an effect on the time-frame of the BES islands.

I would like to end by asking – “What is to happen to all the Islands if we have a new Central Government in January which comes in with a statement as part of their Governing accord saying that it is not in agreement with dismantling and they intend on keeping the Netherlands Antilles together as a Country for their Governing period?  What happens to our rights of self determination then?

Best Regards from the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
 
Sincerely,
 
Chris Johnson

Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs
Island Government of Saba

Const. Affairs, General

Mr. Henk Kamp receiving letter from Commissioners Chris Johnson and Bruce Zagers

[Download Full PDF Letter]

Excerpt from the Letter:

To His Excellency
Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende
Binnenhof19
2500 EA The Hague
Nederland
Fax:0031-70-365-4174
Your number (letter): Your letter of: Our number: 1145/09
Subject : Intention of Secession from the Netherlands Antilles for the Island Territory
of Saba.
Total pages : 3

Your Excellency;
Saba, September 1,2009

It is with a sense of great concern that the government of Saba wishes to approach
your government on the following.

On the island territory of Saba on November 5lh 2004, a referendum was held so that
the people of Saba, using their right of self determination, could express their wishes for a
new relationship within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This referendum was supervised by
the United Nations. On U.N. instructions the government of Saba revised the options put
forth to the people in order to fall within compliance of international regulations.

An amount of 78% of the eligible voting public of Saba took part in the referendum
wherein a majority of 86% voted in favor of establishing direct ties with The Netherlands. ‘
Following the referendum Saba made compromises with St. Eustatius, Bonaire and The
Netherlands in order to make it easier for the government of The Netherlands to effectuate
the transition from the so-called country the Netherlands Antilles, to a direct relationship with
the Netherlands. This was done in accordance with article 1541 of the Fourth Committee of
the United Nations.

….. Want to read the rest?  DOWNLOAD ENTIRE PDF

SOURCE: Saba Government Information Services

Const. Affairs, General

THE BOTTOM–Saba intends to secede from the Netherlands Antilles, because its government sees no other way to break Curaçao’s and the Central Government’s
grasp on the island. “We have to do what it takes toget the status the people of Saba voted for in the November 2004 referendum. One thing we have to realise is that there is no going forward with the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles,” Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Chris Johnson told The Daily Herald Monday.

The island’s decision was prompted by Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage’s announcement last week that elections for a new parliament of the Netherlands Antilles will be held in January. Johnson plans to present a letter addressed to Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende detailing Saba’s secession plans to Dutch Commissioner Henk Kamp at the Government Administration Building this morning. Secession will begin with the holding back of taxes generated in Saba that are due to the Curaçao-based Central Government,removal of the flag of the Netherlands Antilles from government buildings and other actions as of November, when the island will mark the fifth anniversary of the referendum in which the people of Saba voted to leave the Netherlands Antilles.

St. Maarten started the process of constitutional change in the Antilles when its people voted to become a country within the Dutch Kingdom in June 2000 Referenda on the other islands followed later. Curaçao, like St. Maarten, opted to become a country within the Kingdom; 86.5 per cent of the voters in Saba voted on November 5, 2004, for Option A – direct constitutional ties with the Netherlands; Bonaire also voted for direct ties with the Netherlands; and while St. Eustatius voted on April 8, 2005, to remain within the Netherlands Antilles, its Island Council has since agreed that, like Bonaire and Saba, the island should become one of the BES islands – one of the three Dutch overseas public entities.

Johnson stressed Monday that Saba was ready for its new status. “Saba has been the only island throughout the process that has had a completely stable government,” he stressed, adding that sending the letter to the Dutch Prime Minister was a way of making the Dutch accountable for what was going on in the Antilles. “We will never see the Netherlands Antilles dismantling, so the rights of the islands like Saba have to be respected.” Secession does not mean independence for Saba in any way. It simply means that is the only option left for Saba to attain the constitutional status within the Dutch Kingdom its people desire, Johnson stressed.

Speaking about the announcement of yet another election for the Parliament of the Antilles before the five islands will receive their new constitutional statuses, Johnson, son of veteran politician Will Johnson, said it could not be expected that Curaçao politicians “will dismantle themselves out of their own jobs.”  The present Central Government and Parliament were referred to as the last ones for the Antilles at the beginning of the present term almost four years ago. However, with elections upcoming, it appears that yet another government will sit before the islands get their new statuses, tentatively due to take effect before the end of October 2010.

Antillean Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage said Wednesday that elections would go ahead in January as required by the constitution. The Central Government had sought the advice of the Antillean Advisory Council on postponement of the elections to allow the dismantling process to continue uninterrupted, but the council advised against a postponement. Commissioner Johnson said the present Island Government of Saba, as well as his party, the Windward Island Peoples’ Movement (WIPM), didn’t see boycotting the January elections, a suggestion by Constitutional Affairs Minister Roland Duncan, as a viable option.

“If the main parties decide not to participate, someone else can come with a list, or if there is no participation, what is to stop the appointment of people in Curaçao to represent the island?” If Saba is unable to secede from the Antilles before the deadline for submission of candidates for the parliamentary elections, Johnson said WIPM would have no choice but to participate in the interest of Saba’s people. “We will have to see the process that was started through to the end. But secession is the first focus, because it is a right of any country or part thereof,” Commissioner Johnson said.

SOURCE: The Daily Herald, Sept 1st 2009

Const. Affairs, General

Saba Commissioner Chris Johnson (right) shakes hands
with Dutch State Secretary Ank Bijleveld-Schouten after
signing the agreement for the eventual transfers of civil servants
in the education fi eld to the care of the Netherlands.
This transfer will not include teachers working in Saba as
they are employed by several school boards/foundations.

WILLEMSTAD–Saba and
St. Eustatius are moving
ahead with their preparations
to become public entities
of the Netherlands
without Bonaire, which
also should attain this status
possibly before the end
of next year.
Saba Commissioner Chris
Johnson and St. Eustatius
Commissioner Julian
Woodley signed agreements
for the eventual transfer of
Education Department civil
servants to the care of the
Netherlands in Plaza Hotel,
Curaçao, on Wednesday.
Bonaire did not sign a
similar agreement because
a new Executive Council
had been installed just over
a week ago and requested
time to become acquainted
with the constitutional
process from within, as its
members had been in the
opposition for some time.

This technical agreement
is “a very broad one” that
simply outlines that when
the islands achieve the new
constitutional status the
civil servants attached to
government in the education
fi eld will be taken over
by the Netherlands.
Johnson pointed out that
the agreement did not go as
far as dealing with salary,
benefi ts and related items.
The focus is on the eventual
transfer of the civil
servants. The agreements
do not cover teachers who
are employed with school
boards/foundations.

Saba and St. Eustatius are
committed to moving the
process along, he added.
It is understandable that
members of the new government
in Bonaire would
need time to get their feet
wet, but the other two islands
will not be sitting still,
he added.
Many agreements have
been made in relation to
the formation of the BES
islands Bonaire, St. Eustatius
and Saba as public
entities of the Netherlands.
Each island has responsibilities
to its people and it
is with this in mind that two
are forging forward, Johnson
said.
He thanked the Dutch and
Central Governments for
staying committed to the
process and signing agreements
with the two islands.
He now wants to sit with
St. Maarten to look at areas
of common concern that are
affected or will change with
the attainment of country
status by St. Maarten and
public entity for Saba by the
end of 2010. (Alita Singh)

SOURCE:  The Daily Herald, July 25th 2009

Const. Affairs, General

June 23, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

On Tuesday, Mr. Ruud Koopman and Jan Vos from the Bestuursacademie Nederland met with Commissioner Zagers to discuss the expansion of their company to the Antilles. Bestuursacademie is known for their quality instruction and training in Government management, human resources, finance, immigration, and security programs as it directly relates to the Government apparatus. Their company also plans to help negotiate and acquire personnel fitting the needs of local Governments. Koopman and Vos explained the plans of their company to bring their business operation closer to their Antillean Government clients.

“We are building a Foundation of the Bestuursacademie in the Antilles that will develop local programs catered towards Government functions”, stated Directeur Ruud Koopman. Being locally based, the company can then intimately develop their programs to the needs of each Island Government. Since Saba is going through constitutional changes, this local service will prove to be beneficial in the months and years to come.

What is most important about this kind of training is the collaboration and customized programs that can exist between Governments; such as that of the BES. Bestuursacademie will develop a virtual academie online that will facilitate forums, collaboration, information sharing, and informal lessons amongst their Government clientele. Hands-on training will be provided on almost any island since the company plans to make use of local training facilities. These trainings will call upon diverse groups of Island Civil servants to meet up and be trained together, as well as give them an opportunity to share with their likeminded peers.

Each Island will put a Advisory Board in place, which will oversee what is needed in terms of lessons, training, and collaboration to suite their unique situations. Bestuursacademie will then follow-up with these Advisory Boards and develop a collaborative hands-on lesson plan and course trainings to suit their clients’ needs. Where it can, Bestuursacademie will rely on local subject matter experts to become teachers and make use of local facilities – therefore also strengthening the local economies of each Island. Furthermore, the quality of teaching will be monitored on an ongoing basis at each facility.

This Foundation which will be developed by Bestuursacademie will take the profits made and reinvest it back into the program thus becoming a revolving fund. It is because of this type of organization structure that Bestuursacademie claims that they will be cheaper than other educational solutions; in particular having trainers fly to the Antilles from Holland.

Commissioner Zagers followed up with GIS and stated that this service should prove, “Highly beneficial to a functioning Government apparatus within the Antilles”. Zagers went on to say that, “Government is very interested in providing ongoing training of its staff, because education is something that must be improved across the board”.

This initiative should start off in September after the advisory boards are chosen and the initial programs will become available.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Commissioner Bruce Zagers, Account Manager Jan Vos, Directeur Ruud Koopman

Const. Affairs, Finance, General

Subject: Johnson weighs in on Curacao Referendum

May 10, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

On a recent visit to Curacao, Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs, Chris Johnson, seemed very concerned about the shifting attitude of the voting Curacao public. Johnson noted that the Yes/No referendum seem to have taken a drastic shift towards the No position. Many public media sources including the structure of the campaign appear to have shifted the focus of the referendum from constitutional reform to a general opinion of colonialism and Dutch influence in Curacao.

Many television commercials being run for the “No Vote” have created a negative campaign about Curacao’s history and the long relationship it has with Holland. Because of this, public opinion seems to have significantly shifted towards voting No. Furthermore, the No campaign is using the example of the Dutch referendum on the European Union Constitution to demonstrate that the Dutch themselves recently decided to “Vote No” when it came to their referendum. This weak correlation seems to be resonating within the population of Curacao.

Commissioner Johnson wants to remind those in the BES Islands of Prime Minister Balkenende’s statement during the round table conference on December 15^th, 2008. During the press conference the Prime Minister was directly asked if Curacaos referendum would have consequences for the three smaller BES islands. To the discontent of many reporters, Prime Minister Balkenende stated twice that the result of Curacaos referendum would have no effect on the future and progress of the BES islands.

Although the Prime Minister has given this guarantee, this does not mean that the referendum will have no effect on the BES islands. Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles Emily de Jong-El’Hage has publicly stated that if No is the result of the referendum, she will step down. If her political party the PAR were to remove its support of the Central Government, this would mean that the Central Government would fall. In that event if no new Government were formed, federal elections would have to be held on all sides of the Island. This would have severe consequences for each of the five islands.

In closing, Johnson stated, “Many people throughout the Dutch Kingdom should be paying close attention to the May 15^th referendum.”

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Commissioner Chris Johnson

Const. Affairs, General

Rolando Wilson, Akilah Levenstone, Bruce Zagers

April 14, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Today a delegation of three Island Council members left Saba to go to Holland on a training trip hosted by the VNG.  The Delegation was led by Chairman of the Central Committee / Leader of the WIPM Party, Mr. Rolando Wilson.  Wilson was accompanied by Island Council Member and Commissioner, Bruce Zagers, as well as Island Council Woman, Ms. Akilah Levenstone.   The delegation will be away from the 16^th of April to the 21^st of April to attend these training sessions.

This trip was funded by VNG which included training costs, travel, and accommodations.   The Saba delegation expects to be joined by its surrounding Island representatives in Holland.

The sessions should contain workshops and training in Zoning, the WOLBES, crisis management, dealing with press matters, and finances in regards to municipalities.  The agenda should prove to be well organized and tightly planned.

Delegation Leader, Rolando Wilson stated that he is, “very optimistic about these workshops and looks forward to the experience”.

The agenda is as follows: Thursday is a meeting with VNG association of the Netherlands Antilles Municipalities.  Friday is a meeting with the Ministry of BZK.  Saturday is a workshop held in Amsterdam.  Monday is training sessions in the Municipality of Dordrecht on zoning laws.  Later Monday is a meeting in the province of Breda to meet with the Raadvergadering Council.  Tuesday is a meeting in The Hague in regards to finance.

Wilson also further stated that he hopes to fit in some time to visit Saban students who are currently studying in Holland.

Commissioner Zagers stated to GIS before boarding his flight, “Seeing that we will become a public entity with Holland, this information can be directly used during the transitional process on Saba”

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Const. Affairs, General

April 3, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Last Thursday night Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs, Chris Johnson, hosted a Town Hall meeting on Saba.  This meeting was held within the Eugenius Johnson Center in Windwardside.  The turnout was larger than expected and brought in a diverse set of people from within the community.

Johnson presented the crowd with updates and news on the constitutional changes that will affect the Island Territory of Saba.  Following a PowerPoint presentation, he spoke about the constitutional timeline, information from the BES weeks, structure of Government, recent decisions made, and the 5 five year evaluation period after the transition.

Johnson hammered at the significance of the “Four Pillars” and how important it is that we upgrade these pillars to modern standards.  These four pillars are known as Education, Health care, Justice, and Social Services.

The information session included conclusions made during the constitutional changes.  Some of these include the US Dollar as official currency, 24 hour medical evacuation that Saba has needed for years, Fiber optic possibilities, BES police corps, improved welfare, Youth and Family center, and Single health insurance.  These decisions when implemented should slowly move Saba towards raising its four pillars of society.

Another highlight during the session was the additional funding of 24 Million Euros in the areas of Public Health, Youth & Family, Education, and Public Safety, which will be dispersed over the 2009/2010 period.

The session was wrapped up with questions and answers from the audience.  Commissioner Johnson was upfront, stating that he may not have all the answers asked, but would supply them with everything that is known up to this point.  The audience was not timid in presenting their question and the majority of concerns were laid to rest with detailed and historical explanations from Johnson.

Following the event Johnson was able to spend informal one-on-one time outside the center with members of the audience.  Commissioner Johnson later spoke with GIS and stated, “I enjoyed taking the opportunity to answer questions and inform the community of these pertinent constitutional changes”

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Const. Affairs, General