DIARIO Editorial: Where has Jorge Pesquera been?
Jossy Mansur - DIARIO Aruba
10/01/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN) – First off, and with all due respect Mr. Pesquera, where were you the in the days that the American TV channels were in Aruba? Currently, you are in no position to demand equal time on American TV to counter the ‘attacks’ against Aruba. In particular now that Dr. Phils has called out for Americans to stop visiting Aruba. I don’t believe that the strategic group can do something, especially not with the spokesperson you have appointed, I am doubtful that this will help in any way.
The only way to prevent the supposed boycott was to speak before you have spoken, that is to say during the time that the American TV channels (Cable News Networks) were in Aruba. They were disposed to concede as much space as you would have wanted, but apparently, you weren’t interested.
To you and government representatives. And please spare me your opinion of Ruben Trappenberg, because he is one of the ones who made things worse due to his not answering questions, by instead fighting with interviewers, making ridiculous accusations and diverting attention away from the incompetence and indifference of his government (employer).
Now (...) that you see that it is serious that they want to start a boycott against Aruba, you enter in a panic and want to reach out to the unproductive media to try to diminish the effects of a possible boycott.
You want to counteract a forming boycott? First begin by looking at reality in the face. Start by analyzing the accusations and see if whether they have basis or not.
Do you by any chance question Joran’s release and the reasoning behind it that Joran has expressed his wishes to continue his studies as being correct? What kind of justice is this? And do you know, or are you up to date on all of what Joran has admitted to the Polis in his first declaration?
Then why do you say “baseless accusations”? The accusations have a solid basis, believe me, it’s the boycott that has no basis, because the Aruban people have given all their cooperation to find the young woman, treated the family well and with courtesy, and showed genuine interest to have the case solved.
Did the judge who came from Curaçao probably plan take the decisions he took, spoiled the case? With all due respect for the position you have taken, have you [actually] seen what happened?
The case was resolved in phases the same judge planned: first release Paul v.d. Sloot (I don’t have anything against him, and don’t accuse him of anything either); then he came back to release the Kalpoe brothers (second phase); and the third phase he executed now when came to set Joran free because Joran expressed his wish to continue his studies.
I have similarly not made any accusations of any sort against the Kalpoe brothers; what I have repeated is what can be found in the Polis reports where they started pointing the fingers one against the other!
It is in the three phases here that Americans see the corruption of our justice system, the same that Van der Straaten pointed out with courage and it is on this basis that they are proposing a boycott to see if in this way the truth can come out.
You have a way to prevent the boycott, but not by your own criteria. I, Tito, Arlene and others who went on television and showed our faces, because we formed the contacts with the American TV channels to achieve this.
In my case, although you don’t have to acknowledge it, I have gained the trust of the American people, because I spoke the truth to them. You should read the thousands of emails that I have received and continue to receive!
It is the friendship I have formed with Natalee’s family, and not only the family’s influence, but also the channels via the family, who descended on Aruba, to have the freedom and the right to call our government and our justice system a corrupt one, confirmed for us in the same way by Jan v.d. Straaten, supported by Eric Zaandam and SPA [police union]!
It is us who have the courage to confront the truth and to speak without fear, to make a difference. Neither you nor any other group or spokesperson will arrive to where you can prevent a boycott, if you do not confront it speedily, that can do great harm to our economy.
In the end, I ask myself: where were you when the American TV channels were in Aruba? Where was the government? What have you done to prevent what is coming towards us? I consider you to be an honest person, for this reason I believe that the moment has come for you to demonstraste this by admitting that you and the government failed barbarically in the moment where you could have done something.
It is now too late for your plan; now I will enter into action to see what influence I can have on Beth and, via her, on the channels that form part of the boycott. And it is I, again, who will have to beat at the doors of many friends that I have made who are producers of the most important Cable News Networks programs.
And I tell you here, not to commend myself and even less by arrogance, but to heed the call of the people, to help resolve the problem because they have faith in me that I can accomplish this.
(I do not know) whether I can or cannot achieve this in the comming weeks, because I don’t know how deep their rage against our justice system is, which they call corrupt, nor how firm they are in their decision to launch a boycott against Aruba!
[translated by Getagrip]
9.30.2005
Philanthropist and powerful lawyer from America start a national campaign against Aruba
DIARIO Aruba
9/30/2005
ORANJESTAD (AAN): The MSNBC show Rita Crosby Live which ran Wednesday spoke with a powerful lawyer and a Philadelphia philanthropist who are going to help to launch a national campaign in America in efforts to boycott Aruba.
Natalee Holloway’s mother, Beth Twitty, was in Philadelphia Wednesday to meet with a renowned philanthropist from that city, Joe Mammana. She also met with a lawyer because she doesn’t want to leave any stone unturned.
From here, Natalee’s family wants to explore any any option they have available to find their daughter. Now, with the help of a powerful lawyer, they will start that process.
The lawyers are Marty Trichon and Elliott Curson. One is a former prosecutor, who is a very ‘hard core’ person and will look at the case from all angles. He works in the style of reason first, and emotion later.
The other was involved in President Reagan’s election campaign in 1980. He is an expert in Public Relations. He will look to form a team to advise what to do in regards to Aruba.
What option are they looking for? Joe Mammana says that personally, he will go against Aruba in all possible forms. He found that people in Aruba haven’t been honest and haven’t been just. Personally, Joe wants to boycott Aruba and will start a national boycott of the island.
He wants for Joran van der Sloot to realize, that the time has come to to wipe that smile off his face and he plans to smack it off. They will not stop until the time that they know where Natalee Holloway is and until the time Beth Twitty can put her head on her pillow at night and sleep peacefully.
Beth Twitty reacted to what Joran declared to the “A Current Affair” crew recently. She believes that what Joran, Deepak and Satish did with Natalee is “gang rape”, which is a crime.
With a national boycott, they hope to pressure the authorities in Aruba and start to accuse the youngsters here of more crimes [?] Beth Twitty repeated, that she has asked for millions of people to support her to please not travel to Aruba nor any other Dutch territories until Natalee is returned to her. She is convinced that Aruba has the ability for this to happen!
[translated by Getagrip]
Rudy Croes: ‘Twitty’s attitude is incredible’
Amigoe [English edition]
9/30/2005
[link to Amigoe.com article]
9.29.2005
According to Beth Twitty in American TV Interview: Absolutely, Joran is not telling the truth
DIARIO Aruba
9/29/2005
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Beth Twitty - mother of Natalee Holloway, who disappeared in the past month of May on a graduation trip she made to the island – declares in a TV interview that Joran van der Sloot lied when he denied that neither he nor the Kalpoe brothers had sexual relations with her daughter before her disappearance.
Beth Twitty answers on the show “A Current Affair” that in a declaration made by JvdS, he admits to having sexual relations with Natalee Holloway.
Holloway Twitty, according to CNN, appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Tuesday and on CBS’s “The Early Show”. She says that the men, vdSloot and the Kalpoe brothers, Satish and Deepak declared to the Aruban authorities that they had sex with her daughter after they left a bar the night of May 30th.
During this interview, which took place on Monday, CNN indicates that JvdS said: “I kissed with her but neither did Deepak or Satish ever had sex with her and no one ever said otherwise".
Not only that, Beth Twitty spoke in an interview for “The Early Show”. Joran also admitted in front of 10 witnesses, when he was being questioned the morning of May 31, of a sexual assault committed against Natalee.
According to CNN, JvdS declared to the American press that he and Natalee were drinking until they left the bar and that Natalee wanted to go with him, and that he wanted to go with her. "It was totally consensual".
JvdS is currenty in Holland attending his studies. On this, Natalee’s mom has also expressed that she has plans to go to Holland to make sure that the case is not forgotten.
Additionally, CNN asks Twitty for her reaction about Joran’s statement that never in his life has he touched a girl in an aggressive manner, and that there’s nothing anyone can say otherwise. According to Beth Twitty, "Absolutely he's lying".
CNN adds that vdSloot admitted that he and the Kalpoe brothers lied initially and told authorities that they took Natalee to her hotel.
Also, he said that he later said that he went to the beach with Natalee and due to leaving her alone at that late hour he decided to lie [unsure about the accuracy of this last sentence]. "We agreed to lie” Joran said, according to CNN.
Finally, during the interview with the show “A Current Affair”, Joran declared that he lied because he was scared and that he didn’t want to admit that he left Natalee on the beach.
[translated by Getagrip]
DIARIO Aruba
9/29/2005
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Beth Twitty - mother of Natalee Holloway, who disappeared in the past month of May on a graduation trip she made to the island – declares in a TV interview that Joran van der Sloot lied when he denied that neither he nor the Kalpoe brothers had sexual relations with her daughter before her disappearance.
Beth Twitty answers on the show “A Current Affair” that in a declaration made by JvdS, he admits to having sexual relations with Natalee Holloway.
Holloway Twitty, according to CNN, appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Tuesday and on CBS’s “The Early Show”. She says that the men, vdSloot and the Kalpoe brothers, Satish and Deepak declared to the Aruban authorities that they had sex with her daughter after they left a bar the night of May 30th.
During this interview, which took place on Monday, CNN indicates that JvdS said: “I kissed with her but neither did Deepak or Satish ever had sex with her and no one ever said otherwise".
Not only that, Beth Twitty spoke in an interview for “The Early Show”. Joran also admitted in front of 10 witnesses, when he was being questioned the morning of May 31, of a sexual assault committed against Natalee.
According to CNN, JvdS declared to the American press that he and Natalee were drinking until they left the bar and that Natalee wanted to go with him, and that he wanted to go with her. "It was totally consensual".
JvdS is currenty in Holland attending his studies. On this, Natalee’s mom has also expressed that she has plans to go to Holland to make sure that the case is not forgotten.
Additionally, CNN asks Twitty for her reaction about Joran’s statement that never in his life has he touched a girl in an aggressive manner, and that there’s nothing anyone can say otherwise. According to Beth Twitty, "Absolutely he's lying".
CNN adds that vdSloot admitted that he and the Kalpoe brothers lied initially and told authorities that they took Natalee to her hotel.
Also, he said that he later said that he went to the beach with Natalee and due to leaving her alone at that late hour he decided to lie [unsure about the accuracy of this last sentence]. "We agreed to lie” Joran said, according to CNN.
Finally, during the interview with the show “A Current Affair”, Joran declared that he lied because he was scared and that he didn’t want to admit that he left Natalee on the beach.
[translated by Getagrip]
John Merryweather: At no moment did I defend Joran v.d. Sloot or the Kalpoe brothers
DIARIO Aruba
9/29/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN) --- Related to a press release yesterday “Merryweather wants to challenge Natalee’s mom?”, Mr. John Merryweather reacted yesterday by indicating that the contents of much of that article was based on the misinterpretation of his thoughts and that he will contest it.
He starts by explaining that in the first place, it goes without saying that he prays for the Twitty and Holloway families. “At this time, we also pray for Aruba because it is due to the Twitty family, who has asked for a boycott of tourism to Aruba, against citizens who have nothing to do with what happened to Natalee, sadly she was last seen on her trip to Aruba.
He continues to explain that Aruba has a competent corps: justice system, laws, public ministry, and police corps, assisted by the FBI, assisted by specialists from Holland, supported by the government who gave half a day off to employees to help in the search and weeks and months have passed without a positive result.
At a certain point in time, Aruba began to be ridiculed by America in television channels, and activity started here (in Aruba) to defend our justice system which is being questioned by America.
They understand some of our laws but not others, and I heard mentioned once “plea bargaining” a bargaining of the innocence of an innocent Aruban citizen. I can’t support this.
One thing is for certain, the Dutch system that we share, defends innocent people, it is absolutely confirmed that if you are not proven guilty, you are innocent.
This is all the assurance we have if tomorrow any of us is detained for 10 days or 4 days, but not that a demand is made for a case to be brought against us.
If nothing can be proven, no person can bargain with our innocence, says Mr. Merryweather who mentioned two things that bothered him about the article.
Never has he defended Joran v.d. Sloot nor the Kalpoe brothers. “I don’t have to defend anything. They have lawyers who are experts in our island’s laws who are able to defend them and we have a public ministry. “Who am I to defend them? I think logically about the case and the information I have is that which I have gathered from the press, among others, DIARIO”
Resistance has started to grow and the call for a boycott of Aruba doesn’t only originate in Alabama, but started in the cable channels and I, like any other Aruban, am very worried.
At a certain point, our judicial system was been ridiculed so much and I supported a small demonstration in front of the court and will be the spokesperson of the group, without being asked, because I wanted to.
After that, for one reason or another, the next day American channel 5 found me and two days later I refused an interview because it wasn’t my intention at all to seek publicity or to speak for the whole community.
“I don’t speak for the people, that is the truth. We are not an organization who has authority to speak on behalf of the people of Aruba. However, due to the reaction of hundreds of Aruban citizens who support and encourage us to continue the plight for our country, I don’t have any problem in doing so”, Mr. Merryweather wanted it to be known.
[translated by Getagrip]
9.28.2005
Some Arubans are treated less nicely when visiting America
DIARIO Aruba
9/28/2005
ORANJESTAD (AAN): The image Aruba is acquiring with some Americans is none too pretty. Now that Beth Twitty is suggesting that Americans not travel to Aruba or any other Dutch territories, on almost all channels, as well as on the popular Dr. Phil Show and soon on the hugely popular Oprah Winfrey Show, the situation is worsening.
There are millions of Americans following the case of the Alabama student who went missing in Aruba. The general opinion is that the government of Aruba hasn’t done anything to find Natalee, nor to maintain the three young suspects detained.
They think that in Aruba, corruption is the order of the day and that because Joran’s father has the title of judge, he could have easily caused his son to regain his freedom.
Now what? It seems that many Americans will (take out their anger?) on any Aruban that goes to their country.
Evil Eye on Arubans
DIARIO received last week, various reports of Arubans visiting America, under the ‘evil eye’ they have gained from Americans. This has even happened to Arubans who have lived a long time in America.
A known local citizen has indicated that he telephoned the US to make a reservation in an American hotel. The female operator was speaking very nicely and was cheery until the time when she asked “where are you calling from”
When the citizen replied “From Aruba”, at once the tone of the conversation changed drastically.
Another case: There have been a few local merchants who have also reported that they have received really bad treatment when traveling abroad for conventions.
When walking in the Convention Center with a badge on their shirt, with the word Aruba appearing in large. Americans see the name “Aruba” and they flee and at once (refuse?) to speak with the Aruban participants.
In the eyes of Americans, Aruba is condemned for freeing the youngsters, and for having no word as to what happened to Natalee Holloway.
Besides that, DIARIO has received information that an American cab drivers speak (rudely?) if they know you are from Aruba. This is what happened to some people who visited Las Vegas.
An Aruban was on a street corner when this happened, and the only thing he could do was keep his mouth shut and walk away.
But not all Arubans will keep their mouths shut! DIARIO has learned that some got into a discussion and defended the island, as he should.
Aruban Credit Card
What else is happening to Arubans in America? DIARIO has received confirmation that an Aruban was in a department store looking for assistance from a salesperson, said (something?) and the sales person found out that the person was from Aruba. At this point, the saleslady did not want to continue assisting the Aruban customer.
The situation of Arubans residing in America is becoming tiring, they have found ‘harassment’ to the point where they’d rather not identify themselves as Arubans.
However, even if you don’t identify yourself as Aruban, you may be identified as such when going to complete a purchase at a cashier. A lady tells DIARIO that when she took out her credit card from Aruba Bank to pay for a purchase at Macy’s in Atlanta, the cashier saw the word ‘Aruba’ and she started to have a word with the client she was serving.
The ‘verbal attack’ are launched against the Arubians who travel to America, and now some local people are asking starting to answer “We are from Curaçao”, when asked where they’re from.
A local journalist also found a ‘negative lecture’ when he arrived to Miami and boarded a car rental bus and started conversing with the chauffeur. The chauffeur was Cuban and didn’t have a nice word for Aruba.
Is the boycott against Aruba working or not? Commerces in Aruba are complaining about a slowdown in the month of September in general. Some days you even didn’t see one tourist walking in the mall or Main Street (Caya Principal).
Some hotels are half full, and cabdrivers are complaining about ‘off-season’.
Although local authorities keep saying that demand for travel to Aruba is high, one must take a logical look at this situation. DIARIO also received confirmation that in the beginning of September, there was one US – Aruba flight that only had a dozen tourists on board. They each took up 3-seat rows to lay down and sleep.
“The worst is yet to come”, a citizen explained to DIARIO. Aruba has demonstrated to the American people that the investigation of Natalee’s case (continues?)
In case this does not happen, some hotel workers will have to be laid off for lack of tourists. We hope that October will be better than this month.
[translated by Getagrip]
DIARIO Aruba
9/28/2005
ORANJESTAD (AAN): The image Aruba is acquiring with some Americans is none too pretty. Now that Beth Twitty is suggesting that Americans not travel to Aruba or any other Dutch territories, on almost all channels, as well as on the popular Dr. Phil Show and soon on the hugely popular Oprah Winfrey Show, the situation is worsening.
There are millions of Americans following the case of the Alabama student who went missing in Aruba. The general opinion is that the government of Aruba hasn’t done anything to find Natalee, nor to maintain the three young suspects detained.
They think that in Aruba, corruption is the order of the day and that because Joran’s father has the title of judge, he could have easily caused his son to regain his freedom.
Now what? It seems that many Americans will (take out their anger?) on any Aruban that goes to their country.
Evil Eye on Arubans
DIARIO received last week, various reports of Arubans visiting America, under the ‘evil eye’ they have gained from Americans. This has even happened to Arubans who have lived a long time in America.
A known local citizen has indicated that he telephoned the US to make a reservation in an American hotel. The female operator was speaking very nicely and was cheery until the time when she asked “where are you calling from”
When the citizen replied “From Aruba”, at once the tone of the conversation changed drastically.
Another case: There have been a few local merchants who have also reported that they have received really bad treatment when traveling abroad for conventions.
When walking in the Convention Center with a badge on their shirt, with the word Aruba appearing in large. Americans see the name “Aruba” and they flee and at once (refuse?) to speak with the Aruban participants.
In the eyes of Americans, Aruba is condemned for freeing the youngsters, and for having no word as to what happened to Natalee Holloway.
Besides that, DIARIO has received information that an American cab drivers speak (rudely?) if they know you are from Aruba. This is what happened to some people who visited Las Vegas.
An Aruban was on a street corner when this happened, and the only thing he could do was keep his mouth shut and walk away.
But not all Arubans will keep their mouths shut! DIARIO has learned that some got into a discussion and defended the island, as he should.
Aruban Credit Card
What else is happening to Arubans in America? DIARIO has received confirmation that an Aruban was in a department store looking for assistance from a salesperson, said (something?) and the sales person found out that the person was from Aruba. At this point, the saleslady did not want to continue assisting the Aruban customer.
The situation of Arubans residing in America is becoming tiring, they have found ‘harassment’ to the point where they’d rather not identify themselves as Arubans.
However, even if you don’t identify yourself as Aruban, you may be identified as such when going to complete a purchase at a cashier. A lady tells DIARIO that when she took out her credit card from Aruba Bank to pay for a purchase at Macy’s in Atlanta, the cashier saw the word ‘Aruba’ and she started to have a word with the client she was serving.
The ‘verbal attack’ are launched against the Arubians who travel to America, and now some local people are asking starting to answer “We are from Curaçao”, when asked where they’re from.
A local journalist also found a ‘negative lecture’ when he arrived to Miami and boarded a car rental bus and started conversing with the chauffeur. The chauffeur was Cuban and didn’t have a nice word for Aruba.
Is the boycott against Aruba working or not? Commerces in Aruba are complaining about a slowdown in the month of September in general. Some days you even didn’t see one tourist walking in the mall or Main Street (Caya Principal).
Some hotels are half full, and cabdrivers are complaining about ‘off-season’.
Although local authorities keep saying that demand for travel to Aruba is high, one must take a logical look at this situation. DIARIO also received confirmation that in the beginning of September, there was one US – Aruba flight that only had a dozen tourists on board. They each took up 3-seat rows to lay down and sleep.
“The worst is yet to come”, a citizen explained to DIARIO. Aruba has demonstrated to the American people that the investigation of Natalee’s case (continues?)
In case this does not happen, some hotel workers will have to be laid off for lack of tourists. We hope that October will be better than this month.
[translated by Getagrip]
9.27.2005
Chamber of Commerce (KvK) want an investigation to force Justice Department
Amigoe
9/27/2005
Oranjestad – The Chamber of Commerce (KvK) wants an independent investigation to a possible political pressure to the police and the DA. The Chamber of Commerce wants this investigation after the statements of former commissioner Jan van der Straten, who can be considered as a well informed person of Justical business at high level.
The Chamber of Commerce is afraid that the political pressure to the Justice Department will decrease the investments on Aruba. “ Aruba needs to be a legal justice system where everyone has the right to a equal and fair treatment. Investors should work in a stable and good climate. The Chamber of Commerce (KvK) is begging the authorities to give this investigation high priority
[translated by EdwinW]
Amigoe
9/27/2005
Oranjestad – The Chamber of Commerce (KvK) wants an independent investigation to a possible political pressure to the police and the DA. The Chamber of Commerce wants this investigation after the statements of former commissioner Jan van der Straten, who can be considered as a well informed person of Justical business at high level.
The Chamber of Commerce is afraid that the political pressure to the Justice Department will decrease the investments on Aruba. “ Aruba needs to be a legal justice system where everyone has the right to a equal and fair treatment. Investors should work in a stable and good climate. The Chamber of Commerce (KvK) is begging the authorities to give this investigation high priority
[translated by EdwinW]
Joran Topic Starts Again
DIARIO Aruba
9/27/2005
ORANJESTAD (AAN) --- A FOX film crew recorded an interview with Joran in Holland and yesterday FOX along with CNN started on the topic of the case once again but although the issue is well known, it is the first time with Joran who is in Holland.
Natalee's mom, Twitty again was at FOX giving information that indicates that she is in New York to continue to work on the case.
While waiting for hurricane Rita to pass, the case of Natalee will start again now that her mother is in New York to continue with her campaign against the lack of progress of the case in Aruba.
[translated by Getagrip]
DIARIO Aruba
9/27/2005
ORANJESTAD (AAN) --- A FOX film crew recorded an interview with Joran in Holland and yesterday FOX along with CNN started on the topic of the case once again but although the issue is well known, it is the first time with Joran who is in Holland.
Natalee's mom, Twitty again was at FOX giving information that indicates that she is in New York to continue to work on the case.
While waiting for hurricane Rita to pass, the case of Natalee will start again now that her mother is in New York to continue with her campaign against the lack of progress of the case in Aruba.
[translated by Getagrip]
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