Dutch government to run 'lawless' Caribbean island

[DonViejo]

Source: Jamaica Observer




Monday, February 05, 2018

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — The Dutch government said Monday it will take over the running of one of its Caribbean island municipalities, denouncing "physical neglect" and "lawlessness" on Sint Eustatius.

The island's ruling council will be immediately dissolved with Dutch Interior Minister Raymond Knops travelling there this week to explain the decision to residents.

"The current administrative situation is one of lawlessness and financial mismanagement," the interior ministry said.

"Discrimination, intimidation, threats and insults and personal enrichment flourish at the expense of the people of Sint Eustatius," a statement issued in The Hague said.


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[Glorfindel]

1. Well, that's a shame. Sint Eustatius was the first foreign entity to salute an American

naval vessel, in November 1776. The local Dutch governor ordered his garrison to fire a salute in honor of a US ship that sailed into the harbor. It's a very interesting story:

http://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/04/books/books-of-the-times-barbara-tuchman-s-telling-of-a-nation-s-birth.html

I hope they straighten out their difficulties in short order.

[alittlelark]

2. I wonder if they will put a bank on it.....

Seriously.

[matt819]

3. How lawless can it be - or matter

It has a population of only 3500.

[thucythucy]

4. Pitcairn Island, with a population of something less than a hundred,

tolerated the rape and sexual abuse of women and children for decades, before the British government stepped in and started arresting and trying perpetrators.

How many kids were shipwrecked in "Lord of the Flies"?

It seems to me lawlessness doesn't generally require a quorum.