Strategic Communications Task Force - SCTF
Official release
A.M. Digital
11/09/2005

Present: Myrna Jansen-Feliciano – Managing Director Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA); Jorge Pesquera – Aruba Hotel & Tourism Authority (AHATA); Greg Peterson – Aruba Trade & Industry Association Representative; Rob Smith – Aruba Hospitality Security Foundation Chairman; Jeff Lesker – Chairman AHATA Board; Jaap Beaujon – International Business Systems Aruba, Anabela Peterson de Sousa – Aruba Tourism Authority; Edison Briesen – Minister of Tourism & Transportation.

Also present: Beth Twitty; mr. Helen Lejuez – Beth Twitty’s lawyer; Paul Reynolds – Beth Twitty’s brother; and a family friend.

Introduction: Goals of the Strategic Communications Task Force is to stay abreast of all developments related to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway; investigate of information distributed is correct; bring forward the facts when possible; inform the public in general and the press when there is information to be shared; and stay abreast of the coverage in the local and international communications media; thus trying to prevent or minimize any damage to Aruba’s economy. SCTF thinks that it is very important the the Aruba community is kept informed on the latest developments related to the recent visit to Aruba of Beth Twitty, and hereby issues an official release on the meeting held with Beth Twitty on November 2, 2005.

Official SCTF release: The meeting held between SCTF and Beth Twitty was an opportunity to exchange thoughts, facts and opinions between the two parties. Both parties brought several issues on the table. The most important issue is to find out what really happened to Natalee Holloway by permitting the investigators to reach a conclusion with the hopes to finalize and close this investigation.

SCTF strongly reaffirmed their absolute comprehension and expressed regret for the suffering that the families Twitty and Holloway are going through with this terrible situation. SCTF also express to the Twittys and Holloways that they should treat the Aruba population correctly and that they should not make petitions that are damaging to the economic stability of our country. SCTF also expressed to be very disappointed with the fact that, after this community went all the way to support the Twitty and Holloway families since the disappearance of their daughter, now that entire community is being accused of several matters, amongst others of cover up, conspiracy and corruption. This has gone so far as to requesting Americans not to travel to our country and to a call for boycott of our island.

Beth Twitty’s reply to the above was that she never used the word boycott. SCTF however pointed out to her that although she did not use the word boycott, the fact that she appeared on TV programs nodding her head in affirmation when the host of the program calls for a boycott shows that she agrees with the call.

SCTF on various occasions pointed out to Beth Twitty that accusing an entire country (that supported her all the way) for an isolated case, while the investigation is still ongoing, is very unfair.

Beth Twitty said that in this case there was never anything against any resident of Aruba or anybody sitting around the table, but against the hurdles that the Police and the Public Prosecutor have placed and that impede the case to go forward.

Paul Reynolds, Beth’s brother, reaffirmed during the meeting that he is absolutely against any petition for an economic boycott of Aruba. He wished to assure the local community that this has nothing to do with the Aruba community but with the errors that they feel were made during the investigation.
Other items that were discussed are:

1. FBI participation since day one of the investigation as well as the involvement of Dutch investigators;

2. Beth Twitty is totally aware of the FBI involvement and also of the Dutch investigating team that assisted in the search and investigation. She strongly expressed the wish to change the investigating team as well as the representative of the Public Prosecutor because she feels that this team did not act correctly and transparently;

3. Beth Twitty handed over a letter that was sent to the Public Prosecutor the day before the meeting;

4. Beth Twitty also informed the meeting that copies of that letter were already sent to the international press for publication;

Beth Twitty requested SCTF to support her petition presented in the letter. SCTF however informed her that they cannot support her or make a recommendation on her petition, considering that they just received copy of the letter and furthermore they do not agree with the contents of the letter.

At the end of the meeting SCTF made efforts at various occasions to draft a joint communication by Beth Twitty and the group, where Beth Twitty publicly announces that she will not request neither support any sanction/boycott against Aruba. Unfortunately Beth Twitty flatly refused to do that.

Beth Twitty said: “I do not wish to call an economic boycott against your country. I want my daughter and I want to know what happened to her, but I must see action and not words. I am now waiting for an answer on my letter to the Public Prosecutor to change the investigating team and the PP representative in charge of this case”.

Editors note: After all these statements by both Beth Twitty and her brother Paul Reynolds we did not have to wait much for the Governor of Alabama to [again] call a boycott against Aruba, just a few days after Beth Twitty and Reynolds left Aruba. Are we still expected to be the good guys and treat Beth Twitty with silk gloves when she is on the island? No way, for us Beth Twitty’s credibility went all the way down the drain and we are sure that many in Aruba think the same. This is the gratitude that we get for having done everything possible to help her find her daughter – another call for boycott.

[English language original text]