Referendum Options
By Amigoe
Posted: Aug 15, 2004 17:38 UTC
KRALENDIJK (Amigoe) – The referendum date is approaching with great strides. After it turned out that the population still does not understand many aspects of the referendum, the chairman of the referendum committee Arthur Sealy made a concise description of the four options.
Option A: Bonaire remains part of the Netherlands Antilles
Bonaire remains part of the country Neth.Antilles, together with the other two, three, four, or five island groups that want this. With this option, the Neth.Antilles remains a constelation of island groups. The central government system will be maintained as well as the Island Councils and the Governing Boards. With this option, the Netherlands determines the international policy and the Netherlands is responsible for the military- and diplomatic affairs. The people keep the Dutch nationality and -passport. Still with this option, we keep the possibility for complete autonomy. At this moment, the Neth.Antilles has the LGO-status. There is a possibility to choose for the so-called UPG-status (ultra periphery territory).
Option B: A direct relation with the Netherlands
Bonaire steps out of the Neth.Antilles, but remains part of the Dutch Royal Kingdom. In this option, Bonaire has her own parliament and government. The other islands have no saying in the developments on Bonaire. Bonaire does as much as possible alone and only asks the Netherlands for help when and with what she can’t. Also with this option, the Netherlands is responsible for military- and diplomatic affairs. The people also keep the Dutch nationality and -passport. When it comes to it, Bonaire can herself choose for the LGO- or the UPG-status.
Option C: Autonomous within the Dutch Royal Kingdom
Bonaire steps out of the Netherlands Antilles, remains part of the Dutch Royal Kingdom, has a parliament and government of her own, and is protected against the ‘interference’ of the other islands. There is only one government level. A new Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands needs to be formulation in cooperation with the Netherlands, in which Bonaire is being added to the Kingdom as an independent country, just like Aruba. Also with this option, the Netherlands is responsible for military- and diplomatic affairs, and the people keep the Dutch nationality and -passport. Still, with this option there is the possibility to extend the degree of the autonomy to complete self-reliance and Bonaire can herself choose for the LGO- or the UPG-status.
Option D: Complete independence
Bonaire becomes an independent country and is no longer a part of the Neth.Antilles. Bonaire will no longer fall under the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As an independent country, Bonaire pursues her own domestic, financial, and foreign policy and is herself completely responsible for her defense. The population gets the Bonerian nationality and –passport. The choice for an UPG- or LGO-status becomes invalid since Bonaire is no longer indirectly part of the European Community