Editorial: Natalee, boycott and stupidity!
DIARIO Aruba
11/12/2005

by Jossy Mansur

Every day I grow more surprised when I see and hear the stupidities which are being said and done by some bad characters in Aruba, supposedly in the name of ‘patriotism’ which seems ill-conceived to me! You are not a true patriot when you change a cause for its result, [...], taking to the streets or the plaza to shout slogans, harming your own island instead of coming to its defense.

The cause? The disappearance of an American citizen on our island! The result? An investigation characterized by a good dose of error and negligence. If we feel the compulsion to protest, first go do so against what is causing the negative atmosphere, not against the ones who are doing their best to discover what is being hidden in the mysterious disappearance of Natalee, and in this way eliminate the possibility of a boycott!

The case of Natalee and the fight that the mother is carrying on to find out what happened with her child, and where she is, are the causes and effects of the negative atmosphere we are all feeling, that have arisen at the root of imprudent protests, absurd accusations against the mother, and calling certain American media terrorists.

Has common sense come to an end? Those who caused the harm now want to shift the guilt to the few Arubans who have the courage to show their face and put the correct name to the correct facts. Are we, by any chance, not aware that Natalee went missing when she was in the company of Joran and the Kalpoe brothers?

How then, are all three suspects free? They have no evidence to detain them? Of course they have! It is in black and white in the police reports, by their own admissions and on a videotape brought recently by Jamie Skeeters, a professional investigator who was able to get the suspect Deepak to talk and tell things that weren’t surprising, but which did confirm what a few of us suspected and even knew beforehand!

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence is that all three admitted they had forced sexual relations with Natalee, given that this took place when they girl was constantly losing consciousness. How can a person who is not conscious be in a condition to consent? Around the civilized world, under the empire of the law that mandates over anarchy or cronyism, such a situation is categorized as ‘sexual assault’, which is the same or a worse case of what is otherwise known as rape.

Being aware of this and all other severe accusations that the three suspects threw out against each other, how can there be a handful of people in Aruba who can’t comprehend what is happening outside of the island, and that it is negatively affecting a place that does not deserve it? Until what extreme of stupidity have they arrived?

The Americans feel that, at least in this case, Justice has not been well served. And the effects are being felt far, reaching even in the direction of the Dutch justice system, which in this particular case leaves much to be desired!

What can an insensitive person, combined with some social parasite, who believes that because they can go to the street to hold a demonstration, the American television media will run and hide from them? In a democratic country such as the U.S., no medium will let itself be threatened by the government in charge, because of a handful of shouters outside!

This manner of confronting this crisis is not placating Beth (Natalee’s mother) or the American media who want to discover the truth of what has happened.

The negative reception which welcomed Beth by the little group protesting during her last trip to Aruba ended up adding fuel to the fire. Is this the way to treat a mother who is a fighter, who hasn’t thrown in the towel about finding out what happened to her daughter? She is not demanding anything else than to uncover the mystery of the disappearance of Natalee, locate what remains of her, if she is dead and go back to her native city for the posthumous honour she deserves. And in case she is alive, sold to the world of sexual slavery or whatever other group of thugs, she wants to find where she is so authorities from her country proceed to her rescue.

What people in Aruba have to protest is the slowness in which the case has proceeded from the very beginning, the destruction of the declarations and admissions by the suspects, according to evidence presented to those who saw them; the complete negligence with the belt discovered behind the lighthouse; the human bone given to the police station which was not submitted for a rigorous examination; the sworn declarations of eye witnesses; the latest recording of Deepak; Joran’s previous accusations that he believed that Deepak raped and killed Natalee on the beach; the contrary accusations of Deepak and Satish against Joran; at last, a multitude of concrete things that deserve the protest of an honest people such as Arubans.

Let the mother continue with her investigation; one must give her all the support necessary for her to get the answers she is looking for; let her know she has the support of a people who understand her suffering about the disappearance of her daughter.

In such a way we can prevent any negative action against Aruba, but putting all this aside to speak imprudently and unjustly against the mother and the American media is counterproductive and harmful for Aruba.

You want to show patriotism? First use reason instead of protesting, and show the world that we are concerned about a person who has disappeared on our island while she was in the company of three suspects who were inexplicably set free by a judge who is not from Aruba and who does not have the well-being of our island in mind.

These are the things that have to provoke our protests, not the visit of a persistent mother, a lady who lives with the distress of what happened to her daughter and although she loses patience every so often, our tolerance has to be greater than her desperation.

How can I be in favour of any type of boycott against Aruba? Everyone who knows me knows that this isn’t possible; additionally, I went on an interview last week on NBC on this topic, and I explained that a boycott against Aruba is unfair and unproductive.

Finally, what the Dutch Ambassador has to do is go to the State Department and explain to them that the justice system in Aruba is the Dutch one, that the judges are appointed in Holland and are also Dutch, that the prosecutor in charge of the case is Dutch, that the investigator in charge when the case began is Dutch, that the five judges who dealt with the case are Dutch and that the principal suspect is Dutch.

Because of this, it is logical to conclude that Holland can help to clear up many things, given that Aruba’s hands are tied, especially when you consider the nationality of the most important authorities related to the case.

[translated by Getagrip]

Parliaments ask minister Bot for action
Amigoe
11/11/2005

ARUBA – The Lower House party of the CDA, D66, and the Labour Party, and the Aruban Parliament have asked Foreign Affairs-minister Ben Bot (CDA) to request the American authorities to speak out against the boycott. American tourists not coming to Aruba will be catastrophic for the economy.

They ask Bot to say that he is not pleased with the call for a boycott or explain to us why he will not do that. Parliament-chairman Mervin Ras (MEP) emphasized that Riley’s condition to replace specific persons in the investigation team is an invasion on the sovereignty of the Realm. The House-committee for Antillean and Aruban Affairs will discuss the case today.

[English language original text]

US government does not support boycott Aruba
Amigoe
11/11/2005

ARUBA – The American government does not support governor of Alabama, Robert ’Bob’ Riley’s appeal to boycott Aruba. This became clear yesterday after several diplomatic talks.

The consul-general of the United States for the Neth.Antilles and Aruba was in Aruba last Wednesday for a meeting with Prime-Minister Nelson Oduber. Acting ambassador of the United States, Chat Blakeman had a conversation at the ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. Both diplomats said that the statements of the governor do not reflect the position of the US. The State Department in Washington gave a statement, indicating that no whistle will be blown on the governor, but the government also does not support his appeal. “We respect this elected representative’s right to come up with such an appeal. His statement does not reflect the position of the US however. There are no boycott-or travel limitations for US residents to travel to Aruba.”

Oduber had expected a stronger declaration of the State Department that would stop Riley. “We receive e-mails from lots of Americans that are not well-informed and do no longer want to come to Aruba.” The American ambassador in The Hague was emphasized once more that the authorities will do everything in their power to solve the Holloway-case and that Aruba is still a safe vacation destination.

[English language original text]

Such are the hits that life gives!
Dutch company has given thousands of dollars to Governor Bob Riley
DIARIO Aruba
11/11/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): Today, Aruba and Holland are totally surprised that thousands of dollars from a Dutch company were contributed to the governor of Alabama as well as to senators.

Incredible but true! Money from a Dutch company went to Governor Bob Riley, Senator Jeff Sessions, Senator Richard Shelby and member of Congress Spencer Bachus. And now they are all supporting a boycott against Aruba?

Spencer Bachus is a member of Congress who represents the Twitty-Holloway family. Bob Riley was also a member of Congress before becoming governor.

They have gotten thousands of dollars from a Dutch company. Here, DIARIO presents the figures from 1998 to 2005. Spencer Bachus got $26,555. Bob Riley got $4,500. Jeff Sessions got $15,000. Richard C. Shelby got $15,000.

Furthermore, they are not the only politicians from Alabama who have gotten money from Holland.

Now, can these honest men from Alabama can explain with what side of their face they could have taken money for a country against which they support a boycott?

It is also good to show that Jeff Sessions as well as Richard Shelby got substantial contributions from McWane, which is a corporate entity very tied to the Twitty-Holloway family.

From 1998 to 2005, McWane gave Sessions a sum of $29,200. It gave Shelby a sum of $1,000.

This money perhaps can explain some of the political force and ‘connection’ to the US press that Beth Twitty has developed so ‘miraculously’ in such a short amount of time.

The Dutch company which made the contribution of thousands of dollars to the Alabama politicians are: Aegon NV, Internationale Nederlanden Groepe (ING), KPMG International, ABN Amro Holding, Akzo Nobel BV, Philips Electronics, y Royal Dutch-Shell Group.

[translated by Getagrip]

Now the city of Philadelphia wants to boycott Aruba
DIARIO Aruba
11/11/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): Now there are two city councilmen from Philadelphia who are proposing a local boycott of Aruba, due to their concern about Aruba and they way its functionaries have treated the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

Juan Ramos and Jack Kelly came up with this law, which urges Philadelphia inhabitants to boycott Aruba, after that Alabama Governor Bob Riley made a petition for all of America to stop traveling to Aruba.

TV Channels had an interview with those involved in the boycott, and showed again that Joran van der Sloot, Deepak Kalpoe and Satish Kalpoe lied consistently.

Everyone knows that they are involved in this, otherwise they wouldn’t have lied. They want that the Public Ministry of Aruba detain the youngsters again and start investigating them again, let them sweat out their guilt.

Apart from this, now that that they have come out with the boycott group, they even want to stop cruise ships and even cargo ships from coming to Aruba. They don’t want any American product sent to Aruba anymore.

They are thinking that all cargo companies have to stop sending merchandise to Aruba.

One of the ones who has expressed himself more openly is Joe Mammana. He went as far as saying that Aruba is a place that is a 'terrorist den’ and that Americans could be attacked at any moment. According to him, there is no more security in Aruba anymore.

[translated by Getagrip]

Philadelphia parliamentarians also proposing a boycott against Aruba
DIARIO Aruba
11/11/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): After the Alabama Governor asked for a boycott against Aruba and the US State Department indicated that they are not participating in this, now parliamentarians in Philadelphia have also proposed a boycott.

In a Philadelphia newspaper it is published on Thursday that two parliamentarians from Philadelphia are proposing a boycott of Aruba, due to the manner that Aruba treated the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

These parliamentarians are Juan Ramos and Jack Kelly, who have planed to introduce the motion to urge citizens of Philadelphia to boycott Aruba.

The article also said that Natalee’s mother, Beth Twitty said that authorities in Aruba failed in their investigation, while the Prime Minister has said that the investigators have done their best to resolve the case.

[translated by Getagrip]

Aruban investigator going to Alabama to explain what is happening
DIARIO Aruba
11/11/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): Stephen Bacchus is a Republican member of congress for the district of Vestavia Hills. He declared on Thursday that he requested a meeting with the chief investigator from Aruba to help resolve questions from investigators of this island dealing with the investigation of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

The district of Vestavia Hills includes Mountain Brook, which is where Natalee Holloway lived. Aruba is in agreement with this request and the chief investigator is going to America to give answers about the case of the missing student.

[translated by Getagrip]

According to international source
Paul van der Sloot gave Joran quite the gift
DIARIO Aruba
11/11/2005

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Thursday, DIARIO received a call from a contact who was in Holland, about the case of Natalee Holloway, who was following Joran van der Sloot’s steps.

This person told DIARIO that he was in Holland last month, where he was staying for a few months.

He said that Joran was staying in a house a little outside Arnhem with his father and is studying at Hoge School Arnhem.

The person says Joran is living a life like the majority of students in Holland do, where he goes to school, studies and goes out until late at night.

Joran met a girl who he didn’t know was working for a known magazine and went out to drink with her and tried to seduce her.

The girl was trying to find as much information as possible, for an article on which she was working.

One of the times that Joran went out with the girl, he showed her a portable DVD player that he got as a gift from his mother and father after he got out of KIA.

What surprises that girl was when Joran showed a movie that his father gave him as a gift.

The movie he showed the girl was a pornographic one and he said his father gave it to him, so that he wouldn’t fall asleep in class at school.

According to the Dutch reporter, Joran went to see a few football matches in Holland with his father and they also went to England to see a Manchester United match.

The intention was also for them to go to an East European country to see a Champions League match.

According to DIARIO’s contact who was in Holland, Joran van der Sloot was planning last month to go live with his two friends in student housing, close to the school he’s attending and he will come to Aruba to vacation in

Easter Christmas

, where he will come see his mother again who hasn’t gone to Holland.

[translated by Getagrip]

Monica Arends-Kock
You cannot just fire people in the Public Prosecutor’s office
A.M. Digital
11/11/2005

We approached Parliament Member Monica Arends-Kock, leader of the MPA fraction in Parliament for her opinion on removing the top of the Public Prosecutor’s office and members of the team that is investigating the Natalee Holloway case.

Arends said that neither a Governor of the State of Alabama nor the Twitty family can determine who functions in our legal system and who does not. If errors were made then we are the ones to correct these. It is not possible that a country that has no say in our internal affairs can tell us to remove certain trusted people from their position.

If there are Government dignitaries that think that this is possible, they are permitting the Americans involved to interfere with the autonomy of our country. This is the wrong signal to send out, according to the MPA fraction leader.

The first action to take is to handle this case from country to country, i.e. the Government of the Netherlands Kingdom and the Government of the United States. Handle the issue via diplomatic channels, as it cannot be that we give in to demands of some people in the US, although the family is in deep sorrow.

To fire people, as was proposed, we must first listen to them (those that are supposed to be fired) and Parliament needed much more information. Furthermore the meeting of Parliament was not called to fire anybody but to analyze the situation after the Governor of Alabama decided to call a boycott of Aruba without the support of the Department of State. This is the concern that we have in Aruba, according to Arends.

[English language original text]

Prime Minister Oduber denies intention to move anybody
A.M. Digital
11/11/2005

Prime Minister Oduber denied that he expressed to be in favor of firing the top of the Public Prosecutor’s Department or anybody of the investigating team of the Natalee Holloway case.

Oduber said that he trusts that everybody understands Papiamento, especially those in Parliament, because what he said was that if the United States Government and the Twitty and Holloway families do not have confidence in a member of the investigating team, then it must be possible to replace such an official. He never expressed any intention to fire anybody. According to Oduber one person is not more important than the livelihood of 100,000; than a 2 million florin economy; and than 8,000 hotel rooms. That is what he said and was supported by father Rudy Lampe.

Oduber flatly denied having any intentions to fire anybody. When this is all over he does want an investigation to take place by amongst others Judge Bob Wit and other experts in international law to exactly tell us all the details of the investigation in this case.

If at some point in time for the sake of the investigation somebody has to be moved, it has to be done, there’s nothing wrong with that, according to Oduber. This has nothing to do with giving in to the pressure of the US Government.

[English language original text]

Observers showed
Hysterical proposition of Nel Oduber and Rudy Lampe for the retirement of the Attorney General and Head Officer
DIARIO Aruba
11/10/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): There was little missing and a majority in the Parliament in Aruba to give the power to the Oduber cabinet to retire the Attorney General and Head Officer of Justice of Aruba. This was based on a proposition made in a hysterical manner by the Prime Minister Nel Oduber and the leader of the RED faction, parliamentarian Rudy Lampe. Aruba almost entered into a disastrous adventure.

All this was caused by a misuse of what he wants to do to get rid of the people who in a form have discredited Aruba’s name greatly.

After the announcement of the boycott against Aruba was made by the Alabama Governor Bob Riley, a faction of the AVP asked for an urgent parliament meeting to discuss these worrisome developments.

At one point in the meeting, Prime Minister Nel Oduber started to suggest that they have to look at the Public Ministry for who is responsible for this situation. Nel Oduber insinuated in the direction of the Attorney General, Head Officer Of Justice and other police functionaries who have failed in this case.

Here is where DIARIO understands that parliamentarian Rudy Lampe did not hesitate to win. The rancour of Rudy Lampe against the AG, Therese Croes-Pedra came out right away.

Lampe, with his eyes open wide and apparently very emotional came forth with the proposition to give Nel Oduber the complete authority to retire the AG, the Head Officer of Justice and others and at the same time open an investigation into the case
Also, Rudy Lampe instigated towards that the whole parliament has to support removing these people and no one will talk of political persecution.

Prime Minister Nel Oduber who felt support from the RED leader and continued speaking that he has to do what he has to do. In a hysterical manner the two figures starting speaking about the decision to retire [those responsible] and an official investigation of the Public Ministry.

At this moment the leader of the AVP faction, Mike Eman got up and practically said that people come to their senses and realized what they are saying.

He showed that Aruba cannot enter into such an adventure and that it has no basis or sense to go in this preposterous direction. This discussion, in the end, came to call for them to take care of not turn a crisis into a national drama with heads falling unjustly and against all rules of governmental seriousness.

In an interview DIARIO held with Prime Minister Nel Oduber, he could not deny that this took place in parliament and that this macabre plan was prevented by a certain person in the opposition who stood up and stopped it. Nel Oduber regretted that these news came out because it was a serious meeting.

On the other hand, it has to be said that the information is circulating on the street because many of those who were at the meeting, among others people from the Task Force, who were shocked by the proposition of Nel Oduber and Rudy Lampe, came with him.

It was spoken as if the persons here fell into a kind of hysteria based on the hatred they have for figures in the Public Ministry and police and they want to use the Holloway case to remove them.

[translated by Getagrip]

Minister President is optimistic that there will be a solution
Holland supporting Aruba against boycott of our island from Alabama Governor
DIARIO Aruba
11/10/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN) –Wednesday morning, Mr. Nelson Oduber gave his statement to the press, related to the government position on the call for boycott that Alabama Governor Bob Riley is making in the US against Aruba and according to indications, joined by the mother of the young Natalee Holloway.

Minister President made it be known that Tuesday morning he got in contact with the Plenipotentiary Minister once again and spoke with him to approach the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Holland, Mr. Ben Bot, to speak with him about the whole situation that has arisen. The dignitary added that the Foreign Affairs of Holland has already sent two people, last Tuesday night, to the Embassy of the Kingdom in Washington so that Mr. Henry Baar goes to the State Department’s ‘Caribbean Desk’ who was to issue a position yesterday (Wednesday).

A little before the declaration took place, the mandatory received a call from the Minister of Antillean Affairs Pechtold who said that Aruba can count with 100% support from Holland and that they find what the Alabama Governor is doing incorrect.

In his capacity of Prime Minister, Mr. Nel Oduber finds Bob Riley’s declaration irresponsible, preposterous and ridiculous because this person has put Aruba on the same footing as Iran, Iraq, Cuba and North Korea in what relates to relations with the US.

Aruba, the mandatory underlined, is American’s friend and our country is within the Dutch Kingdom, whose system is older than the American one. He added that Mr. Ben Bot did his work and told his colleague Pechtold that he will do his work in America.

Minister President commented that he is satisfied because the government achieved its goal on the diplomatic front and now they are waiting as to how the American government will react.

The dignitary added that during these past days he received many calls not only from Arubans living in the U.S. but also from American friends, who condemn Mr. Riley’s attitude and they can’t believe that the governors of their state will do something similar.

Additionally, minister Oduber said that he has read the American press which asks Mr. Riley about all the people missing in Alabama and all the cases that have taken place there.

Minister President has the understanding that the Governor of Alabama is concerned about what has happened in Aruba, but he has to be worried about the Americans who are missing in his state and all of the U.S.

In any case, Premier Oduber feels that the developments are coming along positively and Mr. Henry Baar met with some members of the Alabama Congress and with Parliamentarian Edwin Jacobs contacted a Dutch person very friendly with the government who performed some work in Holland on behalf of the Aruban government.

The mandatory believes that at this moment, everything will return to normal, but the only aspect is that there isn’t an American Ambassador in Holland that Mr. Bot can approach on the diplomatic front, however he announced that yesterday afternoon the Consul General of the US in the Antilles and Aruba met with him, given that what has happened isn’t healthy for the relationship with the countries of the Kingdom.

According to the Prime Minister, in the region of the Caribbean, Aruba, Antilles, Barbados and Trinidad are the only islands that haven’t signed Petro-Caribe. They have a good relationship and understanding with the US and Premier Oduber hopes that the American Government tells Mr. Riley that he can have a political opinion in the campaign, but who is he to ask for a boycott of the people of a nation to kill a small country (touristically), such as Aruba?

The mandatory underlines that the American Government can never stand behind a boycott. He said that the United Nations is the one who can decide about a boycott for countries, like Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Iraq. But a government and not a State Governor has the authority to do so and it is certain that the American Government will distance itself from what is happening.

The information received could also be a basis for a meeting of Aruba’s parliament with other institutions mentioned in the letter.

[translated by Getagrip]

State Department says that American nation is not with the boycott
DIARIO Aruba
11/10/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): On Wednesday, DIARIO contacted a press attaché from the State Department of the U.S. to find out whether America will boycott Aruba or not.

At noon, DIARIO received an answer in writing from the U.S. State Department, which showed that America has not at this time put any boycott or travel restriction for Americans who visit Aruba.

The text, which the press attaché, Amanda D. Rogers-Harper sent to DIARIO, reads as follows: “As I indicated, there is currently no U.S. government boycott or travel restriction on U.S. citizens visiting Aruba.”

[translated by Getagrip]

Series of questions from D’66 directed to the goverment in regards to Alabama’s boycott against Aruba
DIARIO Aruba
11/10/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): A fraction of D’66 of Tweede Kamer in the Hague is following with much attention the developments around the case of Natalee Holloway.

D’66 is very concerned that various actions from Americans (of members of the American press and a few politicians) are causing a lot of damage for the general image and economic position of a partner of the Kingdom, Aruba.

Because of this, D’66 has asked the Dutch Government (specifically Minister Pechtold, D66 and Minister Bot, CDA) to take the necessary measures, as soon as possible, to let American authorities know that these American actions cannot continue.

DIARIO received the series of questions that D’66 put to the Dutch Government related to this case.

"Written questions of fractie president Boris Dittrich (d66) to the
Minister of administrative renewal and Coninkrijksrelaties and the
Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning the call to boycott of Aruba
by American authorities, because of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

09-11-2005

1. Have you taken knowledge of the fact that Aruba lies at present heavily
under fire in the American press as a result of the disappearance
of the American Natalee Holloway?

2. Is it correct that American authorities, such as the governor and a majority of the members of Parliament of Alabama, calls to a boycott of Aruba? And that the governor of Alabama his colleagues in 49 other states ask do the same (to see also volkskrant Article of 9 November 2005).

3. How you assess the fact that also in well-watched American television shows, such as those of Dr. Phil and Jay Leno, it has been called to a boycott against Aruba?

4. It is correct that also commercial American organizations such as tour operators, busy its their activities m..b.t. Aruba to suspend?

5. You share my opinion that American boycott will have serious consequences on the economy of Aruba, which for a large part dependent is on tourists, of who the majority American?

6. Are you prepared for there at the American ambassador c.q. his substitute to insist the call to boycott should be withdrawn c publicly by the Americans authorities have to be contradicted?

7. Which steps will you undertake still more to support Aruba and the American boycott to conclude to help?"

It is signed by Arjen de Wolff, who is the political secretary of the D66 fractie, Tweede Kamaer the Staten-Generaal.

[translated by Getagrip - Dutch portions translated via Worldlingo online translator]

Via OSSN Network
More than 6,000 travel agent get Governor Bob Riley’s message
DIARIO Aruba
11/10/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): Only 1 day after Alabama Governor Bob Riley proclaimed a boycott against Aruba, the support network for travel agents in America transmitted this for all.

Aruba has to realize that the case is becoming serious. We have just felt an October of super-slow tourism compared with the same time as last year.

The member news update of OSSN, Outside Sales Support Network, which is an organization which gives support to independent travel agents, put this as their first item. They even put this above the travel advisory to France and Monaco.

France is going through serious problems with riots and curfews which have led to a travel advisory. And Aruba where everyone lives in peace and tranquility gets a boycott?

OSSN has more than 6,000 independent travel agents as members in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

[translated by Getagrip]

Eric Zaandam, President of the Police Union
Our authorities contributed to the attitude of Beth Twitty against Aruba
A.M. Digital
11/10/2005

In voicing their opinion on the Beth Twitty case as Police Union, union president Eric Zaandam finds that Aruba has treated Beth Twitty too good to now be the victim of a call for boycott. It was obvious since the moment that she came with a letter requesting the destitution of the investigating team. For SPA (Police Union) this letter is uncalled for and an offense for the Public Prosecutor and the Police Force.

So far we have been quiet. Because we are aware of the general interest we did not react from the beginning when we concluded that this lady is not serious, certainly when she constantly changes her own version on the case of the disappearance of her daughter.

Beth Twitty had a preferential treatment in Aruba because she was getting all information on the progress of the case. This, according to Zaandam, caused Beth Twitty and her group to think that they can do anything in Aruba. She even went that far to ask FBI to take over the investigation and not to let our own police do the job.

Beth Twitty is an insolent person, interfering with the Public Prosecutor and demanding to impose her wish. This is a lesson for all of us, according to Zaandam. On the other hand our own people, such as the Minister of Justice Rudy Croes, have created the opportunity for Beth Twitty and her group to interfere and make demands in a letter. It was the very Rudy Croes who asked to remove Head Attorney Karen Janssen and Jan van der Straten from the case. We can all remember the day when he (Croes) returned from Brazil and introduced Commissioner Gerold Dompig as the new person in charge of the investigation.

And now because the Government informed that they cannot interfere with the Public Prosecutor where the official are appointed by the Kingdom Government, Beth Twitty and her family now think that our Government does not have any power and that Holland has all say in Aruba. And now the family wants to go to Holland.

According to Zaandam, this situation will not stop until Natalee Holloway is found, dead or alive.

[English language original text]

AHATA will no longer remain silent
A.M. Digital
11/10/2005

In a conversation with Jeff Lesker, Chairman of the Board of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association, he gave the point of view and the steps to be taken by the organization in connection with the Natalee Holloway case.

Considering the latest developments whereby even the Governor of Alabama, backed up by Natalee’s mother Beth Twitty, called for a boycott of Aruba, Lesker said that the time has come for AHATA and the Task Force to publish their version, which was not done before our of respect and consideration for Twitty.

But now things have gone too far and it cannot be permitted that innocent persons will become victims of an irresponsible act by the Governor of Alabama, according to Lesker.

He clearly said that diplomacy must continue and that the Government must attend to this case at the highest possible level to present the other side of the coin.

Jeff Lesker said that very soon the other side of the coin will be presented in the local as well as in the international press, which probably has already started, because he was waiting on confirmation to provide telephone interviews with international communication media.

At the moment when Alabama Governor called for a boycott of Aruba a lot of people, including those that were already fed-up with the actions of the Twitty family against Aruba as well as those that were still in favor of a continued friendly approach to Twitty, said that “this is as far as we go”, our people cannot be jeopardized by such a case where there is no proof whatsoever that the girl was murdered as is being said, and where everything else is pure speculation brought to life by the US media.

The AHATA Chairman certainly hopes that the case will come to an end soon and that the boycott intention is dealt with fast at the highest levels of Government in order to prevent that our people will become the innocent victims.

[English language original text]

No support for Alabama Governor Bob Riley
A.M. Digital
11/10/2005

The Governor of Alabama, Bob Riley, receives no support of the United States Government for his call to boycott Aruba as a vacation destination. This was announced by the acting US Ambassador in Holland, Mr. Chat Blakeman during a meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs in The Hague last evening.

As is known Bob Riley, supported by Beth Twitty who is the mother of the teen student that disappeared in Aruba last May, last Tuesday called for a boycott of Aruba as a vacation destination. His call for boycott was made because, according to Beth Twitty and her family, the Aruba authorities are not making sufficient efforts to solve the case of the disappeared teen student. Governor Riley also requested his colleagues in all other American states to support his call for boycott of Aruba.

Aruba Prime Minister at that point made an appeal on the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, of which Aruba forms part, to request the US Government for an explanation. The American acting Ambassador in Holland indicated that “the statements of the Governor do not reflect the vision of the United States”

The Dutch Government underlined once more that everything was done to bring the Natalee Holloway case to an end, and that the island of Aruba continues to be a safe destination for American visitors. The Dutch Ambassador in Washington will soon discuss this matter with the US Department of Foreign Affairs.

Aruba Prime Minister Oduber is very concerned for the effects of a possible boycott. Aruba is highly dependent on the tourism industry for its revenues. “Aruba is not Cuba, or North Korea, or Irak. We are allies of the United States and we work together with the United States to fight drug trafficking and money laundering” said Oduber.

The tourism statistics after May, the month in which the student disappeared, show no decline in the number of American tourists. According to Managing Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority, Myrna Jansen, Americans say to be less declined to travel to Aruba but apparently they act otherwise.

[English language original text]

Aruba wants President Bush
to blow the whistle on Bob Riley
Amigoe
11/10/2005

ARUBA – “This is abnormal and out of all proportions”, said Prime Minister Nelson Oduber last night about Alabama’s governor Robert ‘Bob’ Riley’s call to boycott Aruba. The government wants the American President George W. Bush to blow the whistle on Riley and make it clear to him that a boycott of Aruba is out of the question.

Riley together with Beth and Jug Twitty gave a press conference yesterday morning on CNN and appealed to all his fellow citizens to boycott Aruba. He said that he hopes that his appeal would convince the Aruban authorities to take the investigation on the disappearance of Natalee Holloway as serious as possible. He is of the opinion that it looks like if the investigation takes long enough, it would go away. But as long as we have something to say on this here in Alabama, it will not go away. Riley told the Aruban authorities to involve the family with the interrogations and to give them all the information on the case. The FBI should also be involved with the investigation. “The family had asked to replace the investigation team and to my opinion, that is a reasonable request, considering the state of the investigation.” Riley asked the governors of the other 49 states to support him in this boycott.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister, the Parliament, and the Strategic Communications Task Force (SCTF) deliberated extensively on the matter. They simply cannot understand that after all the support and the information they have given the family, Beth and Jug Twitty have still convinced the governor to call up a boycott. “We always had a very good relationship with the United States, and now this. We always had gotten in contact with the American authorities regarding this case; we have cooperated with the FBI and the CIA. Already from the beginning the Twitty couple were stuck to the ‘cover-up’ theory and we cannot convince them of different”, said Oduber. Although the investigation team couldn’t find any substantial evidence against the suspects in this case, the team has worked hard and efficient. “The case is still open and Twitty knows this.” When all this is over with, there will be a thorough investigation on the current one. “If mistakes were made, they will come to light right away.” The Twitty’s and Riley cannot insist on replacing some persons from the investigation team. “They have no right to demand that. This is a matter that only concerns our country.”

[English language original text]

Aruba awaiting declaration from State Department today
DIARIO Aruba
11/09/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): The Prime Minister showed that Aruba is anxiously awaiting today for when the State Department of the US issues a declaration in regards to the action of Governor Riley of Alabama.

Aruba sent a message to the State Department about what took place on Tuesday, and expects to know on Wednesday morning for the State Department to issue a declaration about all the latest happenings. The latter deals with a series of actions Aruba took on Tuesday.

The Plenipotentiary Minister of Aruba in America, took a message of concern and upset to the Kingdom Ambassador in Washington.

Additionally, via the Dutch Government, it is expected that Buitenlandse Zaken requests a declaration from Governor Bob Riley as well.

Today Aruba spoke with Minister Bot of Holland. Aruba wants Minister Bot to call the American Ambassador in The Hague to ask for clarification about what Bob Riley wants to achieve with a boycott of Aruba. Because in reality, it is the judicial system guaranteed by Holland which is being questioned.

Governor Riley could have support from other Governors and Condoleezza Rice.
Because of this, the government knows that the situation is very serious for Aruba, so it has to wait for what the State Department will declare today and wait for Holland to do something given that Dutch Justice is at play.

[translated by Getagrip]

Beth Twitty along with the Governor of Alabama
Request for a boycott against Aruba
Governor asks for other states of America to join him
DIARIO Aruba
11/09/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): Governor of Alabama Bob Riley made a plea to all the citizens of Alabama and was even boldly asked for all people in the US to boycott any travel to Aruba and requested Governors of other states to do something similar.

In Aruba, this is seen as something abnormal. The Prime Minister showed that America in general has a boycott against Iraq, Cuba and North Korea. But now for a Governor to decide for a whole country to start something similar with Aruba, because of a missing woman?

If it is true that this will happen, then the boycott will harm Aruba. Perhaps one has to thing that it’s time to pull the people who botched the investigation? In this direction, Premier Oduber expressed himself last Tuesday night. He said that a boycott creates an unnecessary ‘phobia’.

Earlier, there was a meeting of the Central State Commission, where the Minister of Tourism and the Prime Minister spoke. Myrna Jansen and Arlene Ellis-Schipper also spoke.

Premier Oduber gave an explanation of what happened from the first days of the Holloway case. The government of Aruba from the start tried to make every effort so that the case would have an outcome.

Oduber clearly stated: “From the first day until now, the mother and step-father thought that because those of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Police Corps and that a person involved is Dutch in origin, that there was a ‘cover-up and conspiracy’.

In that time he explained that in Aruba no one is above the law and that the investigation must be in depth and no one can get involved. So there was no cover-up or conspiracy.

The Premier show that some time back he also explained to members of the Alabama Congress and also spoke with the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, explained the case and informed the American Government from the first week that he had nothing against the auspice of local institutions, that the FBI was also involved. Dutch assistance was also provided.

“Regrettably, sufficient proof could not be provided and the suspects were let free”, Oduber said. The investigation is not closed and it is ongoing!

On numerous occasions, Premier Oduber explained to the family that the Dutch judicial system is objective and the Dutch system is not that different from the American one. During that time, Aruba convinced the Governor of Alabama to hold back a declaration about an eventual boycott.

Aruba has a group in the US which calls itself the ‘Alexander Group’ which lobbies for Aruba, who convinced Governor Riley several times about the seriousness of the investigation on this island.

THE PROBLEM

According to Premier Oduber, the problem is simply that: Natalee’s family does not have confidence in the investigation and accuses the functionaries who are of Dutch origin of being involved in a cover-up and conspired to not bring forward a solution to the problem. Natalee’s family on different occasions gave a declaration, but local authorities did not pay attention. There’s also the fact that certain functionaries made statements in such a manner that were displeasing to the family.

Natalle’s family wants to find an answer to why 10 days passed before detaining the 3 youngsters, and so found the chance to speak, and of how it took 14 days to start investigating the case. The Government explained to the family that this is the Dutch system.

The Premier also made the promise that when the Holloway investigation ends, to bring an investigation into finding out what and how things went wrong.
Relating to the boycott call, Governor Riley apparently called Aruba two days ago and the Department of Foreign Affairs and sent two declarations, which he interpreted in his own way and suddenly, on Tuesday, Bob Riley found it proper to say that he asked for a boycott against all who want to visit Aruba.

The attacks against Aruba have been going on for many months. Aruba approached Holland to request help. The sent a few criminal experts and even F-16 planes which cost millions of dollars with the goal of coming to Aruba and look for the young woman. However Holland could not do anything with regards to the American press, and has no influence on what is put out or not.

But on Tuesday afternoon things changed. Now it is not the press, but a Republican on campaign who announced a boycott. This has now turned the matter into something political and part of the federal government of America.

The case has thus become very serious. Now the Alexander Group has been asked to call Governor Riley and ask how he didn’t have the courtesy to call the Prime Minister of Aruba first.

A boycott from a country of 340 million vs. an island of 100,000 people. Aruba is part of the Dutch Kingdom and now the ‘attack’ is no longer something about Aruba. It is important that our instate of justice guaranteed by Holland is attacked.

A female student came to Aruba and went missing. Now they will kill a whole nation because of this? Tuesday, CNN asked Governor Bob Riley about the 132 people missing in his state and what he has done? “We have police investigating” was his answer. Premier Oduber wants to say that Aruba has 1 missing person and we also have police investigating.

Permier Oduber described the action of Governor Bob Riley as irresponsible, preposterous and condemnable, especially for an island that has good relations with America, e.g. FOL base.

There are 38 islands in the Caribbean, and Premier Oduber has made every effort last week to appeal to Puerto Rico, to speak with the Caribbean leaders, so they know what is happening, to alert them that this could happen on any other island. He also wanted to know Puerto Rico’s opinion about the boycott. The government has understanding for the mother and the family. At this moment, the investigation is ongoing, but he cannot accept what has happened in America.

BECAUSE POLICE WANT TO INTERROGATE THOSE IN ALABAMA

What happened for this drastic change to take place? Premier Oduber calculates that when local authorities stated that they want to investigate in Alabama the trust and investigate in America more of the students and friends of Natalee…suddenly, something strong came in Aruba’s direction.

Same as the are investigating here, police have a right to investigate in America what happened exactly to put all the pieces of the puzzle together to hopefully know what happened, for the people of Aruba to show the world that it has not conspired nor created a cover-up.

The moment has come for Holland to tell the Americans loud and clear that the legal system is not corrupt. It’s time to stop all the accusations that have not been confronted! Aside from this, Premier Oduber declared that now, little by little he believes that Natalee’s mother has a goal different than searching for her daughter.

In the end, he made a dramatic plea to all Arubans. “Let’s solve this case for the happiness and well-being of us all. All people can give some assistance to solve this case and take the necessary precautions so that in the future there won’t be any other doubtful cases.”

Premier Oduber does not want to create and anti-American atmosphere due to Governor Bob Riley. Aside from this, the family has requested to replace the investigative team. How? Aruba has not approached Governor Riley to ask him to change his attorney General to newly investigate the 132 people missing in Alabama.

He believes that Aruba treated Natalee’s mother in a nice manner. But the mother has a “crisis of confidence” and he can’t take her out of this. Aruba hopes that the State Department disapproves of a boycott against the island. Today it shall be seen if it will be in a position to do so.

[translated by Getagrip]

Aruba doesn’t complain to Alabama with its 132 missing citizens
DIARIO Aruba
11/9/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): Tuesday afternoon, Alabama Governor Bob Riley asked for a boycott against Aruba. Different American TV channels interrupted their programming to give this extra bulletin.

Governor Riley asked for no one to travel to Aruba until authorities in Aruba cooperate better with the family of Natalee Holloway, who disappeared May 30.

Riley asked the governors of the other 49 states of America to join him in this boycott, in the name of Natalee Holloway’s family. The mother of Natalee Holloway, Beth Twitty joined Riley in Alabama for the announcement of the boycott.

According to the mother, authorities in Aruba failed to adequately investigate the possible murder of her daughter, who was with a young teenager, Joran van der Slot and Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, on the night she disappeared.

The Prime Minister of Aruba reacted in a press conference that he won’t be asking for Governor Riley to change his Attorney General to investigate the 132 missing persons in Alabama. Here he showed a document obtained via the Internet, which shows all the persons who have gone missing in Alabama.

A fraction of the AVP also asked to call for a state meeting, where it asked for a declaration from the Minister of Tourism, Minister President as well as from those of the Strategic Task Force.

The attack against Aruba came first from the American press. Holland has said that it can’t intervene because it was a ‘press issue’.

However, now that the Republican Governor of a country that is an ally of Holland’s has asked for a boycott, now The Hague has to understand that the Governor has turned this into a ‘political issue’.

This has put Aruba’s government instantly in action and as of Tuesday it used all diplomatic channels necessary to send and get information, and today the plenipotentiary minister [ambassador?] met with members of the Alabama Congress. The government of Aruba issued an official declaration which it will deliver to the Dutch Ambassador in Washington so that he can hand it over to the State Department. The Aruban Parliament issued a declaration and the letter will go to the Dutch Parliament and the Permanent Commission.

[translated by Getagrip]

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]

Good news for Aruba
Tourism officials, agents stand by island’s safe rep
A.M. Digital
11/09/2005

We thank the Aruba Tourism Authority for sending us the following article because we also stand by Aruba’s as the safest island in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean island of Aruba is recovering from the much-publicized disappearance of an Alabama teenager, Natalee Holloway, in the spring, island officials and agents say, citing strong occupancy and arrivals, and a renewed commitment to visitor safety.

The hospitality community is deeply concerned with the Holloway case, says Myrna Jansen, managing director for the Aruba Tourism Authority. “Aruba is a very safe place, and that’s why the case has been so widely publicized,” she says. “We certainly hope it’s solved very soon.”

Positive Signs: Jansen says Aruba’s reputation remains in-tact, noting that U.S. arrivals for June 2005 were up 9 percent over a year ago, and hotel occupancy forecasts are also higher than last year’s, with 79 percent island-wide occupancy estimated for October and 78 percent predicted for November. “Aruba leads the Caribbean in repeat visits, with 40 percent of our visitors returning to the destination,” she explains. “They know that Aruba is a safe island, and it’s great to have that support.”

The southern Caribbean destination continues to see a strong mix of families and honeymoon travelers, especially in the high season between Dec. 23 and Easter, when room rates can go up as much as 30 percent, says Rob Smith, general manager at the 481-room Wyndham Aruba Resort Spa & Casino. “Our guest probe is changing slightly-it’s becoming demographically a little more upscale,” he observes, “We’re looking at the first quarter of next year and it looks great, even compared with 2005, which has been an excellent year.”

Smith is president of the Aruba Hospitality & Security Foundation, a four-year-old public/private partnership designed to increase the visibility of law enforcement in tourist zones. “We started the foundation because we realize safety is one of our top selling points here in Aruba,” he explains. “In the post 9-11 era we thought it was a good idea to increase the visibility of the security force. The foundation currently employs 71 uniformed security guards that work directly with police, patrolling hotels, beaches, and other areas frequented by visitors,” Smith says. Primary funding for the $1.5 million-dollar program comes from the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association.

What Agents Say: Good air coverage, packages from wholesalers, and a diverse set of island attractions product are making for a good year in Aruba, agents say, despite the substantial publicity around Holloway’s disappearance.Direct flights to Aruba, like those offered by US Airways from Philadelphia, are major selling points for the destination, says Donna Stoop, owner of Jade Travel Services in Aston, PA. “I’m continuing to see a lot of interest in Aruba, because of the variety there. It has beautiful beaches, excellent diving, and Vegas-style casinos,” she explains.

Jamie McCabe, owner of See Life Travel in Ellington, CT, says that packages from the Northeast to Aruba help make the destination especially attractive, noting that Apple Vacations, GMV Vacations and TNT Vacations all offer Aruba packages, some with direct charter flights from the East Coast. In McCabe’s primary markets in the Northeast, the perception of Aruba is one of safety, she says. “In my opinion, Aruba is one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean. I’m not hearing any concerns about safety from my clients.”

But the Holloway disappearance has changed things for at least one travel agency in the teen’s hometown. Cheryl Floyd, leisure specialist at All Seasons Travel in Birmingham, Alabama says: “Certainly Natalee’s disappearance has impacted us. Before this summer, we sold a significant amount of Aruba business, but I don’t think we’ve sold a single Aruba package since then.
“People are staying away out of respect to the family, but also because there is a certain amount of fear involved,” she says. “I hope things get back to normal, because Aruba is such a lovely island, and the people there really depend on tourism.”

[English language original text]

Aruba asks if Bush supports Alabama's boycott
Expatica.com

9 November 2005

AMSTERDAM — The government of Aruba wants US President George W Bush to intervene to stop a tourist boycott of the autonomous Dutch island in the Caribbean.

[...]

The parliament on Aruba went into emergency session after the boycott call. Afterwards Prime Minister Nelson Oduber said Aruba wanted the US President to intervene.

"Aruba is not Cuba, North Korea or Iraq. We are friends with America. Most tourists come from the United States and we work together to combat drugs criminality and money laundering," Oduber said angrily.

He wants Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot to seek clarification on the issue from the American Embassy in The Hague. Aruba's representative in Washington will raise the matter directly with the US government. "We want to know if Bush supports this boycott or not," Oduber said.

Read the full article

Request to replace investigation-team Holloway
Amigoe
11/08/2005

ARUBA – The parents of Natalee Holloway have requested Attorney-General Theresa Croes Fernandez-Pedra to replace the investigation team. The Public Prosecutor (OM) doesn’t want to comment on the matter, but confirmed the receipt of the letter. As a matter of fact, the investigation team is not replaced yet.

“We will answer the letter, but we will not make any statements about the contents of our reaction”, said Mariaine Croes, spokesperson of the OM. The family is of the opinion that Detective Dennis Jacobs, who leads the investigation, chief public prosecutor Karin Janssen, and chief of police Gerold Dompig need to be replaced. The letter was written by Arthur Woods, the private-detective that the family hired and Dave Holloway and his wife Robin as well as Beth Twitty and her husband Jug had signed it. The six-page letter was delivered to the Attorney General and is also on the Internet.

[English language original text]

Official details of Beth Twitty’s meeting with the Task Force
DIARIO Aruba
11/08/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): This week, the strategic communications group SCIF (Task Force) gave official details of their meeting with Beth Twitty from last week.

The goal of the Strategic Communications (SCTF) is to keep up to date on all the latest developments related with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, find out if information given is true, and to be ahead of the facts when possible, inform the public in general and the press when it has information that can be shared and to be up to date on the local and international media coverage, trying to prevent and/or minimize any damage to Aruba’s economy.

The group is of the opinion that it is extremely important to keep the community up to date as to the latest developments about Beth Twitty’s visit, as such it has put out an official communiqué on the meeting they had with Beth Twitty on November 2, 2005.

Official release from the strategic group: The meeting held on November 2, 2005 with Beth Twitty and the strategic group (SCTF) was an opportunity to exchange thoughts, facts and opinions between both parties. Both groups brought different topics forward.

The most important matter was to find what really happened to Natalee Holloway by letting the investigators come to their conclusions with the hope of finalizing and closing this investigation.

The group (SCTF) strongly reaffirmed their absolute understanding and expressed their pain about the Holloway and Twitty families’ suffering during this terrible situation.

At the same time they said to be correct with the Aruban people in general and to not make requests that would be harmful to the economic stability of our country.

The group also brought up their disappointment that after the community did so much to give support to the Holloway and Twitty families ever since their daughter disappeared now the whole community is being accused of different things, among others a ‘cover up’, conspiracy and corruption.

This has gone on to such a point that there’s a petition for Americans to not travel to our island and a call for an economic boycott of our island.

Beth Twitty’s answer about the abovementioned facts is that she never used the word boycott. The group also informed Beth Twitty that although she didn’t’ use the word boycott, the fact is that it appears on tv programs and they have spoken with people who have asked for a boycott and acquiesced with movement of the had, which demonstrates that she approves of this request.

The group (SCTF) on various occasions informed Beth Twitty that the she is accusing the people of a country (who have supported her) for an isolated case, for which the investigation is still ongoing, and that it is unfair.

Beth Twitty said that this case was never based on the people of Aruba or any person at the meeting, but against the obstacles that police and the prosecutor’s office has put up which have prevented the case from moving forward.

Mr. Paul Reynolds, Beth Twitty’s brother, reaffirmed during the meeting that he is absolutely against any request of an economic boycott against Aruba and that he wants to reassure the local community that this has nothing to do with the community but with the errors they feel have taken place in the investigation.

Other matters discussed were: (1) the participation of the FBI from the first days of the investigation, as well as the involvement of the Dutch investigators.

(2) Beth Twitty is completely aware of the fact that the FBI was in Aruba and of the Dutch investigative team who assisted in the search and investigation, she expressed her strong request to change the investigative team and also the representatives of the Public Ministry [prosecution’s office] since she doesn’t feel that this team acted correctly and transparently.

(3) Beth Twitty gave the group (SCTF) a copy of the letter which was handed the day before to the Public Ministry.

(4) Beth Twitty also informed them that a copy of the letter was going to also be distributed to the international press for publication.

(5) The letter presented by Beth Twitty argues for a change of the investigative team and persons in charge of the case from the Public Ministry.

Beth Twitty asked for the group (SCTF) to support her request made in the letter. The group answered that they can’t give her support or make a recommendation on this letter, considering that they had just received a copy of the letter and also because they are not in agreement with the contents of the letter.

At the end of the meeting, the group (SCTF) tried on various occasions to get an official communiqué from Beth Twitty and the group, where Beth Twitty would announce publicly that she has not asked nor supported any sanction/boycott against Aruba, but regrettably Beth Twitty turned this down.

Beth Twitty said “I don’t want to call for an economic boycott against your island. I want to find my daughter and know what happened to her, but I want to see actions not words, and I am waiting for an answer as soon as possible to the letter that I handed over to the Public Ministry, asking for a change of the investigative team and the representatives of the Public Ministry who are in charge of this case.”

[translated by Getagrip]

Beth Twitty heard as a witness
DIARIO Aruba
11/07/2005

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, the Public Ministry let it be known that the investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway continues.

The investigative team, under the lead of chief prosecutor Karen Janssen, is operating in three areas.

Witnesses have been heard, the investigation is now being analyzed, while the matter of the tape that was transmitted on the Dr. Phil show is being investigated.

Recently Beth Twitty, the mother of Natalee Holloway, was heard as a witness. Among other things, Twitty was asked the details of the fact that she arrived to Aruba very fast, after the disappearance of her daughter.

They also asked her to explain the public accusations she made.
The investigative team is also interviewing other witnesses, with people they have interviewed previously, as well as new witnesses.

Apart from this, other clues are being analyzed and investigated. The whole file on the case is being reviewed constantly, in order to not miss anything that can be investigated.

From this analysis, certain aspects have come out that have to be investigated.

Related to this, American authorities have been asked for help with the interrogation of some American persons.

This relates to people who have been interrogated, just after the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, but from which the Public Ministry wants to know certain other things.

Recently a tape was shown on the Dr. Phil show, where suspect Deepak Kalpoe made certain declarations which could indicate his culpability in this case.

The Public Ministry requested this tape and sent it to the Forensic Institute of Rijswijk Holland for further investigation.

The results are not yet known. With this ‘update’, the Public Ministry wants to show that they are on top of the case still, contrary to other insinuations.

[translated by Getagrip]

Editorial: According to tourists
Travel agents in the US advising against going to Aruba
DIARIO Aruba
11/07/2005

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, DIARIO conversed with a few tourists about the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and the fact that, among others, Natalee Holloway’s mother has asked for people to not come to Aruba until the case is solved.

Different tourists explained that given that they have been coming to Aruba for some time, they are not affected by this because they know how dear and safe Aruba is.

DIARIO also spoke with tourists who came to Aruba for the first time, and they said that when they first came to Aruba, they were trying to find more information about the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and during the conversation with them, it was evident that they want to be up to date about the latest developments of this case.

They also asked DIARIO a few questions related to the case, to compare with the information that they were receiving in America.

Some of the American tourists explained to DIARIO that when they went to purchase their ticket to come to Aruba, the travel agents were advising not to go to Aruba and suggesting other destinations.

This could have something to do with the supposed boycott of Aruba, however one of the tourists explained to DIARIO that there is something more behind this.

The couple from New Jersey told DIARIO that currently the prices to come to Aruba from America are very low.

According to the couple, they paid in total for two people, only $2,800 for a vacation of 10 days in Aruba. This includes the trip and the stay at a good hotel.

They explained to DIARIO that the travel agencies, who earn a commission on the tickets they sell, want to make more money so they are advising people not to go to Aruba because they are offering other more expensive destinations like the Bahamas, to earn a higher commission.

[translated by Getagrip]

Justice interrogated Twitty as witness
Amigoe
11/05/2005

ARUBA – The Public Prosecutor (OM) indicated that the investigation on the disappearance of Natalee Holloway is still going. Witnesses are being heard, the investigation is being analyzed, and they are investigating the tape that was broadcasted in the show of Dr. Phil.

During the interrogation, Twitty was asked why she showed up in Aruba so fast after the disappearance of her daughter and she had to explain a few accusations she made in public. Also other witnesses are being heard; new ones and also some that have already been heard. They have gone through the entire file once more and found some issues that need further investigation. As part of that, the US authorities were asked to assist with the interrogation of some Americans.

The OM has sent the tapes that were broadcasted in Dr. Phil’s show to the forensic institute in the Netherlands for further investigation. The results of this investigation are not yet in.

[English language original text]