At the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino
AHATA’S Strategic Task Force meets Beth Twitty and entourage
A.M. Digital
11/03/2005

Jeff Lesker Carlson Hospitality VP and General Manager Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino hosted a special meeting Wednesday afternoon between representatives of the government, the Aruba Tourism Authority, the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association and the Aruba Trade and Industry Association, and Beth Twitty, the mother of disappearing teen Natalee Holloway. The meeting took place at the resort’s lower lobby conference room and lasted for over one hour and a half.

Also present at the meeting Aruba’s Minister of Tourism, Edison Briesen, Aruba’s Minister of Justice Rudy Croes, the Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority Myrna Janssen, AHATA’s CEO Jorge Pesquera and Twitty’s attorney Heleen Lejuez.

In a short statement give to the press after the closed-door meeting Myrna Jansen reported the encounter was candid and open and both sides pledged support of each other with the common goal of finding a fast resolution for the sad case.

Beth Twitty was accompanied by friend Carol and brother Paul Reynolds. According to Lesker the meeting covered a variety of topics. While the parties agreed on many points and found common grounds often, on some points they agreed to disagree.

Lesker also reported that there will be no call for economic sanctions, and that calm and cooperation will continue to be the right approach. The Strategic Task Force did however ask Beth Twitty to empathize with Aruba and the Aruban people who are being victimized, and in this context to discontinue the broadcast of untrue and unfounded allegations, along with any call for boycott. The Strategic Task Force found Beth Twitty and her entourage, eager for resolution and receptive, he added.

[English language original text]