Jorge Pesquera looks at 2006 with much optimism
“The year 2005 was a record year for sales and in the increased quality of the product called ‘Aruba’”
DIARIO Aruba
01/07/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): In a conversation with Mr. Jorge Pesquera, CEO of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA), we asked him about his point of view of 2005 in the hotel branch and our tourism, as well as his perspective for the year 2006.
Mr. Pesquera stated that the year 2005, even taking into account everything that happened with Natalee Holloway, in his opinion was a record year in sales and in the increased quality of the Aruba product. “Without a doubt”, he said.
He continued to say that the first 6 months of 2005 had a never before seen occupancy rate in Aruba. He added that for the two semesters [s/b quarters?] of the year that has just passed, they still have to take a look at the results.
“It is my understanding that taking into account what happened, we’re going to have a record year in the productivity level, occupancy and partner revenues this year”.
The AHATA CEO underlined that now the uncertainty is tied to what will happen in 2006. He expressed that he is very optimistic that through initiatives such as “Meet Aruba” and having a spirit of collaboration with Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), with the respective ministry and that through converstations that have taken place with the tourism committee in Parliament, that this year will become a very productive one and that the future will hold the same.
1.07.2006
According to sources
Beth Twitty spent Christmas skiing in Utah
While there are indications that the investigative team is busy with something important
DIARIO Aruba
01/07/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Recently, DIARIO published an article which gave an idea of how Joran van der Sloot spent his days during his vacation and also later.
DIARIO published an article which gave an impression about the life of the other suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe are continuing with their lives.
Recently DIARIO obtained information about how Beth Twitty, Natalee Holloway’s mother, is spending her time.
According to information, Beth Twitty is traveling a lot, among others she is frequently in New York, where she appears on different television programs, to try to keep the story of the disappearance of her child alive.
Beth Twitty was also spotted in Utah, in the US, where around the Christmas days she was skiing with her family.
It is still not known if Beth Twitty has the intention to travel back to Aruba, or what day this will be.
In what relates to the investigation of this case, not much information has been given, but DIARIO obtained information that shows that the investigative team is busy with something very important in this case.
What this is exactly is not known still, but as they say in English, DIARIO has indications that ‘something’s cooking’.
Beth Twitty spent Christmas skiing in Utah
While there are indications that the investigative team is busy with something important
DIARIO Aruba
01/07/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Recently, DIARIO published an article which gave an idea of how Joran van der Sloot spent his days during his vacation and also later.
DIARIO published an article which gave an impression about the life of the other suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe are continuing with their lives.
Recently DIARIO obtained information about how Beth Twitty, Natalee Holloway’s mother, is spending her time.
According to information, Beth Twitty is traveling a lot, among others she is frequently in New York, where she appears on different television programs, to try to keep the story of the disappearance of her child alive.
Beth Twitty was also spotted in Utah, in the US, where around the Christmas days she was skiing with her family.
It is still not known if Beth Twitty has the intention to travel back to Aruba, or what day this will be.
In what relates to the investigation of this case, not much information has been given, but DIARIO obtained information that shows that the investigative team is busy with something very important in this case.
What this is exactly is not known still, but as they say in English, DIARIO has indications that ‘something’s cooking’.
1.06.2006
He threatened case against Public Prosecutor if he did not obtain good conduct document
Paul van der Sloot will now work as a lawyer
Bon Dia Aruba
01/06/2006
ORANJESTAD – Last week, Mr. Paul van der Sloot attended court for a meeting. This was related to the fact that his contract with the government for his function as judge expired and the Court had to know what Mr. Paul van der Sloot was going to do. The options weren’t many. Either he left Aruba and establish himself back in Holland or he stayed in Aruba but had to look for another function.
WORK AS A LAWYER
A Bon Dia investigation demonstrates that Mr. Paul van der Sloot chose to stay in Aruba and that he wants to continue working as a lawyer given that he did not completely achieve his judgeship studies. There is a rumour circulating that Mr. Paul van der Sloot will work in the office of Mr. Carlo. Bon Dia Aruba called Mr. Carlo’s office for more information, but he couldn’t be located.
CASE AGAINST PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
Paul van der Sloot asked the judge to be registered as a lawyer. When making such a petition, the judge asks the Attorney General (AG) of Aruba if they have something against the person being registered as an attorney. The AG bases her advice on data from the “Justitiele Documentatiedienst” (justice documentation service).
It is in the “Justitiele Documentatiedienst” that judge decisions in penal cases (sentence) and prosecutor decisions (sepot? Or conditional sepot?) are registered. The Justitiele
Documentatiedienst then gives a so called conduct declaration.
In the case of Mr. Paul van der Sloot, there is a case registered in the Justitiele Documentatiedienst. As it is known, in June 2005, Mr. van der Sloot was detained but there is still no decision from the prosecutor nor from the judge. This made it such that a good conduct document could not be given.
On this basis, Mr. Paul van der Sloot decided to start a case against the Public Prosecutor. Bon Dia’s investigation shows that Mr. van der Sloot made a petition to the court for this case and it was determined that this case will take place on January 11 at 2 in the afternoon.
CASE WILL NOT CONTINUE
However, yesterday the Public Prosecutor notified Mr. van der Sloot for him to drop by their office and come get his good conduct document. This was based on the last case that Mr. van der Sloot brought for damages and prejudice.
A couple of weeks back, van der Sloot started a case where he asked for damages and prejudice for his arrest and the days that he was imprisoned. During the treatment of the case Mr. van der Sloot’s attorney, Mr. Swaen, showed the judge a letter from the prosecutor that dealt with the case of van der Sloot where the prosecutor said that Mr. Paul van der Sloot could not obtain any case documents because he was no longer a suspect.
On the basis of this letter, the attorney told the judge that the prosecutor let it be known that the case against van der Sloot was over. The judge said in his decision that he is in agreement with the attorney.
Given that the prosecutor herself said that Mr. van der Sloot is no longer a suspect, which according to the judge can be looked at as the prosecutor saying that the case is over, since the prosecutor will no longer pursue the case. This signifies that Paul van der Sloot will soon start working as a lawyer in Aruba and the case he brought forth against the Public Prosecutor will not go forward since he obtained his good conduct document, which is the document he was missing to be registered as a lawyer.
Paul van der Sloot will now work as a lawyer
Bon Dia Aruba
01/06/2006
ORANJESTAD – Last week, Mr. Paul van der Sloot attended court for a meeting. This was related to the fact that his contract with the government for his function as judge expired and the Court had to know what Mr. Paul van der Sloot was going to do. The options weren’t many. Either he left Aruba and establish himself back in Holland or he stayed in Aruba but had to look for another function.
WORK AS A LAWYER
A Bon Dia investigation demonstrates that Mr. Paul van der Sloot chose to stay in Aruba and that he wants to continue working as a lawyer given that he did not completely achieve his judgeship studies. There is a rumour circulating that Mr. Paul van der Sloot will work in the office of Mr. Carlo. Bon Dia Aruba called Mr. Carlo’s office for more information, but he couldn’t be located.
CASE AGAINST PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
Paul van der Sloot asked the judge to be registered as a lawyer. When making such a petition, the judge asks the Attorney General (AG) of Aruba if they have something against the person being registered as an attorney. The AG bases her advice on data from the “Justitiele Documentatiedienst” (justice documentation service).
It is in the “Justitiele Documentatiedienst” that judge decisions in penal cases (sentence) and prosecutor decisions (sepot? Or conditional sepot?) are registered. The Justitiele
Documentatiedienst then gives a so called conduct declaration.
In the case of Mr. Paul van der Sloot, there is a case registered in the Justitiele Documentatiedienst. As it is known, in June 2005, Mr. van der Sloot was detained but there is still no decision from the prosecutor nor from the judge. This made it such that a good conduct document could not be given.
On this basis, Mr. Paul van der Sloot decided to start a case against the Public Prosecutor. Bon Dia’s investigation shows that Mr. van der Sloot made a petition to the court for this case and it was determined that this case will take place on January 11 at 2 in the afternoon.
CASE WILL NOT CONTINUE
However, yesterday the Public Prosecutor notified Mr. van der Sloot for him to drop by their office and come get his good conduct document. This was based on the last case that Mr. van der Sloot brought for damages and prejudice.
A couple of weeks back, van der Sloot started a case where he asked for damages and prejudice for his arrest and the days that he was imprisoned. During the treatment of the case Mr. van der Sloot’s attorney, Mr. Swaen, showed the judge a letter from the prosecutor that dealt with the case of van der Sloot where the prosecutor said that Mr. Paul van der Sloot could not obtain any case documents because he was no longer a suspect.
On the basis of this letter, the attorney told the judge that the prosecutor let it be known that the case against van der Sloot was over. The judge said in his decision that he is in agreement with the attorney.
Given that the prosecutor herself said that Mr. van der Sloot is no longer a suspect, which according to the judge can be looked at as the prosecutor saying that the case is over, since the prosecutor will no longer pursue the case. This signifies that Paul van der Sloot will soon start working as a lawyer in Aruba and the case he brought forth against the Public Prosecutor will not go forward since he obtained his good conduct document, which is the document he was missing to be registered as a lawyer.
High Command in Holland wants to conduct DNA tests on all suicide victims
DIARIO Aruba
1/6/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): A report which is circulating in Holland caught DIARIO’s attention, related to a declaration from the High Command of the police in Utrecht. Among other things, it is mentioned that with suicide cases, it is desired for all these cases, that DNA tests be conducted on the bodies.
Two unsolved cases were illustrated, in the first instance the victim committed suicide but it resulted later after the test, that this was not the case.
It is desired to introduce a law so that in this type of case, DNA tests can take place. What the High Command brought forward is based on a case of more or less 20 years which is considered a cold case after the test resulted in something else.
Recently in Aruba, also in past years, experts from Holland along with investigators and authorities in Paradera opened a cemetery in which the Dutch man Maas, who was owner of a pet shop here in Aruba in the Andina Ice building, was buried.
At this time, the doctor could not determine what caused Maas’s death. It has been suspected for some time that the man was poisoned. But the prosecutor ordered a DNA test be conducted on the corpse.
Now there is a result which indicated that a crime took place, this opened the way to hear suspects. One of the suspects in this case is the wife of the deceased who is a Canadian woman and who at the moment lives in Canada.
It is not known if the Public Prosecutor in this case, the Attorney General, proposed to the government of Aruba or the Kingdom to solicit the extradition of the woman whose initials are M.J.H. of 47 years of age. It is also not known if the Kingdom in these cases has a treaty. Meanwhile, this could last many months, or perhaps light will never be shed on this case.
DIARIO Aruba
1/6/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): A report which is circulating in Holland caught DIARIO’s attention, related to a declaration from the High Command of the police in Utrecht. Among other things, it is mentioned that with suicide cases, it is desired for all these cases, that DNA tests be conducted on the bodies.
Two unsolved cases were illustrated, in the first instance the victim committed suicide but it resulted later after the test, that this was not the case.
It is desired to introduce a law so that in this type of case, DNA tests can take place. What the High Command brought forward is based on a case of more or less 20 years which is considered a cold case after the test resulted in something else.
Recently in Aruba, also in past years, experts from Holland along with investigators and authorities in Paradera opened a cemetery in which the Dutch man Maas, who was owner of a pet shop here in Aruba in the Andina Ice building, was buried.
At this time, the doctor could not determine what caused Maas’s death. It has been suspected for some time that the man was poisoned. But the prosecutor ordered a DNA test be conducted on the corpse.
Now there is a result which indicated that a crime took place, this opened the way to hear suspects. One of the suspects in this case is the wife of the deceased who is a Canadian woman and who at the moment lives in Canada.
It is not known if the Public Prosecutor in this case, the Attorney General, proposed to the government of Aruba or the Kingdom to solicit the extradition of the woman whose initials are M.J.H. of 47 years of age. It is also not known if the Kingdom in these cases has a treaty. Meanwhile, this could last many months, or perhaps light will never be shed on this case.
For the first time in the history of Aruba: Aruba out with tremendous touristic promotion in the US
AHATA achieves a unique strategic alliance in the Caribbean with Dutch group
DIARIO Aruba
01/06/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): In an interview with DIARIO, AHATA CEO, Mr. Jorge Pesquera indicated that this week, during the meetings that are taking place in Aruba with foreign partners who deal with the marketing aspect of our island as a touristic destination, this time a special alliance was made with the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC).
In Pesquera’s opinion, it is fortunate for AHATA was approached by NBTC, given that when NBTC found out that AHATA was in a dialogue with the purpose of establishing a new marketing entity in what relates to groups and conventions for our islands, then they got in contact with AHATA.
“Frankly, we are intrigue by the possibility that an entity which is quasi-governmental for Holland, showed interest to do new and entrepreneurial things.
We interviewed them extensively in New York. They impressed me with their creativity, their knowledge of the market, their achievements with the things they are doing in Holland and other places. We decided to enter into a contract, which is really an alliance, because we are going to help them and they are going to help us”.
The CEO of AHATA indicated that they are very satisfied given that for the first time in the history of Aruba, there is national coverage from coast to coast, from New York to Canada, Los Angeles and San Francisco in the market of groups and conventions.
Pesquera let it be known that there are eight salesmen on the street and three administrators that are supporting this effort, which is one, he said, that is extraordinary to attract a market that was not given much importance in Aruba in the past.
NBTC’s interest, he stated, has to do with the way of working, which is very entrepreneurial. They receive part of their funds, assigned by the central government of The Hague (Holland), but there is the possibility to increase these funds by an additional 60% via the alliance and sales that they make with entities such as AHATA.
He added that NBTC represents all the museums of Holland, various convention centers, among others. He continued to say that it is this entrepreneurial/commercial spirit, the creativity that they have demonstrated during the interview that gave AHATA the interest in contacting NBTC as an entity instead of adding salespeople directly.
Currently, there are three salespeople directly contracted by AHATA, Donna Delgado in Washington, Mayline Menendez in Miami and Charly Ibarra in New York.
Pesquera added that AHATA is increasing this sales force with four or five people from NBTC, which is categorized as an extraordinary coverage for our island. “This is a unique alliance in the Caribbean”, he said.
AHATA achieves a unique strategic alliance in the Caribbean with Dutch group
DIARIO Aruba
01/06/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): In an interview with DIARIO, AHATA CEO, Mr. Jorge Pesquera indicated that this week, during the meetings that are taking place in Aruba with foreign partners who deal with the marketing aspect of our island as a touristic destination, this time a special alliance was made with the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC).
In Pesquera’s opinion, it is fortunate for AHATA was approached by NBTC, given that when NBTC found out that AHATA was in a dialogue with the purpose of establishing a new marketing entity in what relates to groups and conventions for our islands, then they got in contact with AHATA.
“Frankly, we are intrigue by the possibility that an entity which is quasi-governmental for Holland, showed interest to do new and entrepreneurial things.
We interviewed them extensively in New York. They impressed me with their creativity, their knowledge of the market, their achievements with the things they are doing in Holland and other places. We decided to enter into a contract, which is really an alliance, because we are going to help them and they are going to help us”.
The CEO of AHATA indicated that they are very satisfied given that for the first time in the history of Aruba, there is national coverage from coast to coast, from New York to Canada, Los Angeles and San Francisco in the market of groups and conventions.
Pesquera let it be known that there are eight salesmen on the street and three administrators that are supporting this effort, which is one, he said, that is extraordinary to attract a market that was not given much importance in Aruba in the past.
NBTC’s interest, he stated, has to do with the way of working, which is very entrepreneurial. They receive part of their funds, assigned by the central government of The Hague (Holland), but there is the possibility to increase these funds by an additional 60% via the alliance and sales that they make with entities such as AHATA.
He added that NBTC represents all the museums of Holland, various convention centers, among others. He continued to say that it is this entrepreneurial/commercial spirit, the creativity that they have demonstrated during the interview that gave AHATA the interest in contacting NBTC as an entity instead of adding salespeople directly.
Currently, there are three salespeople directly contracted by AHATA, Donna Delgado in Washington, Mayline Menendez in Miami and Charly Ibarra in New York.
Pesquera added that AHATA is increasing this sales force with four or five people from NBTC, which is categorized as an extraordinary coverage for our island. “This is a unique alliance in the Caribbean”, he said.
According to Jorge Pesquera of AHATA: Dutch group knows how to counteract the negative effect in the U.S. of the case of Natalee Holloway
DIARIO Aruba
01/06/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): During a meeting which took place Thursday afternoon at the Renaissance Convention Center between the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) and their partners, related to the presentation of their 2006 Business Plan, the impact that the case of Natalee Holloway has in the US was remarked upon.
DIARIO asked Mr. Jorge Pesquera, CEO of AHATA, how the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC), AHATA’s new partner in what relates to the promotion of Aruba in the US, will focus their plan of action in what terms of this case.
He indicated that there are people working at NBTC who know to deal with clients at a very sophisticated level. He continued to say that to be able to counteract the opinions that certain Americans have of Aruba due to the case of Natalee, a sophisticated level of how the style of sale will take place is required and that NBTC has this.
Pesquera stated to DIARIO that in the way questions that were asked were answered, he is convinced that NBTC are consummate professionals who know the right way to counteract the effects of the Natalee Holloway case.
“This is something that has to be explained and has to be done with logic, with information and with the conviction that we have the truth on our side”, he said.
DIARIO Aruba
01/06/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): During a meeting which took place Thursday afternoon at the Renaissance Convention Center between the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) and their partners, related to the presentation of their 2006 Business Plan, the impact that the case of Natalee Holloway has in the US was remarked upon.
DIARIO asked Mr. Jorge Pesquera, CEO of AHATA, how the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC), AHATA’s new partner in what relates to the promotion of Aruba in the US, will focus their plan of action in what terms of this case.
He indicated that there are people working at NBTC who know to deal with clients at a very sophisticated level. He continued to say that to be able to counteract the opinions that certain Americans have of Aruba due to the case of Natalee, a sophisticated level of how the style of sale will take place is required and that NBTC has this.
Pesquera stated to DIARIO that in the way questions that were asked were answered, he is convinced that NBTC are consummate professionals who know the right way to counteract the effects of the Natalee Holloway case.
“This is something that has to be explained and has to be done with logic, with information and with the conviction that we have the truth on our side”, he said.
Deepak and Satish continue with their usual lives
Deepak working at the same place and Satish still going to school, they celebrated Christmas with family at their house
DIARIO Aruba
01/06/2006
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, DIARIO interviewed one of the suspects in the case of the disappearance on Natalee Holloway, Deepak Kalpoe, via telephone.
It has been some time since nothing has been heard from Deepak and Satish, besides the Deepak recording which appeared on different American channels.
During the interview, Deepak did not want to comment on any aspect of the case, so DIARIO asked him about aspects of his daily life.
According to Deepak, he spent the holidays with his family and neither him nor his brother went out to any public parties.
About his daily life, he continues to work at the same place he has always worked, the internet café at the Seaport Market Place, where he works 8 hours a day.
DIARIO asked him if he was bothered by certain questions about the case, to which he replied that he is not bothered by anyone.
His brother, who attends Colegio Arubiano, is not bothered either and is living his life as normally as possible.
DIARIO asked Deepak if he or his brother are still in contact with Joran van der Sloot, however he said he did not want to comment on this.
Deepak working at the same place and Satish still going to school, they celebrated Christmas with family at their house
DIARIO Aruba
01/06/2006
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, DIARIO interviewed one of the suspects in the case of the disappearance on Natalee Holloway, Deepak Kalpoe, via telephone.
It has been some time since nothing has been heard from Deepak and Satish, besides the Deepak recording which appeared on different American channels.
During the interview, Deepak did not want to comment on any aspect of the case, so DIARIO asked him about aspects of his daily life.
According to Deepak, he spent the holidays with his family and neither him nor his brother went out to any public parties.
About his daily life, he continues to work at the same place he has always worked, the internet café at the Seaport Market Place, where he works 8 hours a day.
DIARIO asked him if he was bothered by certain questions about the case, to which he replied that he is not bothered by anyone.
His brother, who attends Colegio Arubiano, is not bothered either and is living his life as normally as possible.
DIARIO asked Deepak if he or his brother are still in contact with Joran van der Sloot, however he said he did not want to comment on this.
Attorney David Kock sends letter to Public Prosecutor
That his client is not interested in their invitation
DIARIO Aruba
01/06/2006
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, the Public Prosecutor’s office sent a letter of invitation to attorney David Kock and his client Satish Kalpoe, for them to come see the Deepak Kalpoe recording that Jamie Skeeter made, which appeared on different American channels, to comment on these.
Some time back, the attorney explained to DIARIO that he and his client will think about this invitation, however, Thursday attorney Kock explained to DIARIO that he was sending a reply letter that day to the Public Prosecutor to notify them that he and his client are not interested in giving comments about something that doesn’t concern them.
He also said that he finds it very strange that after so much time that this video has come out, that it is now that the Public Prosecutor finds the time to call his client to comment.
Kock also explained that it is a fact that the Public Prosecutor cannot force the three suspects to come back to be interrogated.
If they are interested in doing this, they have to have very key and urgent reasons to try to convince a judge, to permit them to interrogate the suspects once again.
That his client is not interested in their invitation
DIARIO Aruba
01/06/2006
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, the Public Prosecutor’s office sent a letter of invitation to attorney David Kock and his client Satish Kalpoe, for them to come see the Deepak Kalpoe recording that Jamie Skeeter made, which appeared on different American channels, to comment on these.
Some time back, the attorney explained to DIARIO that he and his client will think about this invitation, however, Thursday attorney Kock explained to DIARIO that he was sending a reply letter that day to the Public Prosecutor to notify them that he and his client are not interested in giving comments about something that doesn’t concern them.
He also said that he finds it very strange that after so much time that this video has come out, that it is now that the Public Prosecutor finds the time to call his client to comment.
Kock also explained that it is a fact that the Public Prosecutor cannot force the three suspects to come back to be interrogated.
If they are interested in doing this, they have to have very key and urgent reasons to try to convince a judge, to permit them to interrogate the suspects once again.
1.05.2006
In Holland
Former suspect fails ‘lie detector test’
DIARIO Aruba
01/05/2006
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently in Holland, in the well-known program of Peter R. de Vries, there were 4 men who voluntarily participated in a test, using the so called ‘lie detector test’, which can detect if a person is lying.
All these men were suspects in the case of the rape and murder of 19 year old Milica van Doorn in June 1992. The men were set free at the time, after DNA tests were made.
These persons offered to participate in this test, to show once more that they are innocent. However, one of them failed the test, which could indicate that he could know more about the rape and murder of the youth in 1992.
According to E. Meijer of the University of Maastricht, who performed the test on the 4 men, the fact that one of the men failed the test does not mean that he is 100% certain that he has something to do with the murder.
It is only an indication that if there was still an investigation ongoing, police would have advised to interrogate this person again. Perhaps it would be a good idea to let the suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway take this test.
Former suspect fails ‘lie detector test’
DIARIO Aruba
01/05/2006
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently in Holland, in the well-known program of Peter R. de Vries, there were 4 men who voluntarily participated in a test, using the so called ‘lie detector test’, which can detect if a person is lying.
All these men were suspects in the case of the rape and murder of 19 year old Milica van Doorn in June 1992. The men were set free at the time, after DNA tests were made.
These persons offered to participate in this test, to show once more that they are innocent. However, one of them failed the test, which could indicate that he could know more about the rape and murder of the youth in 1992.
According to E. Meijer of the University of Maastricht, who performed the test on the 4 men, the fact that one of the men failed the test does not mean that he is 100% certain that he has something to do with the murder.
It is only an indication that if there was still an investigation ongoing, police would have advised to interrogate this person again. Perhaps it would be a good idea to let the suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway take this test.
1.03.2006
According to American press
Attorney Carlo did not react on invitation to his client from Public Prosecutor
Public Prosecutor invited Joran van der Sloot to give a voluntary declaration
DIARIO Aruba
01/03/2006
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Given that the case of Natalee Holloway turned out to be one of the top stories of 2005 in the U.S., the media continues to follow the case, where the interviewed different people to maintain the story of the disappearance of the young American alive.
Recently, on one of the TV programs in the US, Natalie’s aunt [s/b stepmother], Robin Holloway, was interviewed, and she said that she spoke with Karen Janssen on the telephone, who said that the intention was not to force the suspects to be interrogated, but for them to come in voluntarily.
Robin Holloway declared that she felt that the conversation with Karen Janssen went well, and was very informative, which contradicts the impression that Beth Twitty has of Karin Janssen.
On the same program, they interviewed Joran van der Sloot’s attorney, Antonio Carlo, who confirmed that the judge’s verdict, at the moment where the suspects were set free, was such that they could not be forced to come give a declaration again.
They can simply be invited to voluntarily give a declaration.
The lawyer also said that he doesn’t have a list of questions from the Public Prosecutor’s Office for his client, however, the Public Prosecutor sent a letter to the lawyer, to invite Joran to give a voluntary declaration. Carlo said that he hasn’t reacted to the letter.
Attorney Carlo did not react on invitation to his client from Public Prosecutor
Public Prosecutor invited Joran van der Sloot to give a voluntary declaration
DIARIO Aruba
01/03/2006
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Given that the case of Natalee Holloway turned out to be one of the top stories of 2005 in the U.S., the media continues to follow the case, where the interviewed different people to maintain the story of the disappearance of the young American alive.
Recently, on one of the TV programs in the US, Natalie’s aunt [s/b stepmother], Robin Holloway, was interviewed, and she said that she spoke with Karen Janssen on the telephone, who said that the intention was not to force the suspects to be interrogated, but for them to come in voluntarily.
Robin Holloway declared that she felt that the conversation with Karen Janssen went well, and was very informative, which contradicts the impression that Beth Twitty has of Karin Janssen.
On the same program, they interviewed Joran van der Sloot’s attorney, Antonio Carlo, who confirmed that the judge’s verdict, at the moment where the suspects were set free, was such that they could not be forced to come give a declaration again.
They can simply be invited to voluntarily give a declaration.
The lawyer also said that he doesn’t have a list of questions from the Public Prosecutor’s Office for his client, however, the Public Prosecutor sent a letter to the lawyer, to invite Joran to give a voluntary declaration. Carlo said that he hasn’t reacted to the letter.
Public Prosecutor invited Satish Kalpoe and his lawyer to comment on Deepak recording
DIARIO Aruba
01/03/2006
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, information has come out that the intention was to speak once again with the suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
This has still not happened, however the Public Prosecutor’s Office sent a request to the lawyer of Satish Kalpoe, David Kock, for him to come with his client so they can see the recording of the conversation of Deepak that Jamie Skeeter made.
The intention is for them to see the original video, as well as the version that passed on the Dr. Phil program, which was supposedly manipulated.
DIARIO interviewed attorney Kock, who explained that he has still to sit down with his client to evaluate if they will accept the invitation.
According to Kock, he’s not sure if they will decide to go and comment on the tape, because it does not have to do with his client.
However, after he meets with Satish Kalpoe, it will be then that the decision will be certain.
DIARIO Aruba
01/03/2006
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, information has come out that the intention was to speak once again with the suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
This has still not happened, however the Public Prosecutor’s Office sent a request to the lawyer of Satish Kalpoe, David Kock, for him to come with his client so they can see the recording of the conversation of Deepak that Jamie Skeeter made.
The intention is for them to see the original video, as well as the version that passed on the Dr. Phil program, which was supposedly manipulated.
DIARIO interviewed attorney Kock, who explained that he has still to sit down with his client to evaluate if they will accept the invitation.
According to Kock, he’s not sure if they will decide to go and comment on the tape, because it does not have to do with his client.
However, after he meets with Satish Kalpoe, it will be then that the decision will be certain.
According to American press
Joran van der Sloot went back to Holland on December 30
DIARIO Aruba
01/03/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Recently, the American press published that Joran van der Sloot left Aruba on December 30, to go back and continue his studies in Holland, without being interrogated once again as was speculated.
DIARIO found this date a little strange, however, according to information, the flights to Holland in January are very full, so perhaps Joran was not able to find another date than the 30 of December. DIARIO called Joran’s attorney, Antonio Carlo, to find out if it was true that Joran already went back to Holland, however, we were not able to get in touch with the lawyer.
DIARIO called the van der Sloot family home, where Joran’s brother said that he already went back to Holland. DIARIO asked on what day he went back to Holland, but the brother did not want to say.
Joran van der Sloot went back to Holland on December 30
DIARIO Aruba
01/03/2006
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Recently, the American press published that Joran van der Sloot left Aruba on December 30, to go back and continue his studies in Holland, without being interrogated once again as was speculated.
DIARIO found this date a little strange, however, according to information, the flights to Holland in January are very full, so perhaps Joran was not able to find another date than the 30 of December. DIARIO called Joran’s attorney, Antonio Carlo, to find out if it was true that Joran already went back to Holland, however, we were not able to get in touch with the lawyer.
DIARIO called the van der Sloot family home, where Joran’s brother said that he already went back to Holland. DIARIO asked on what day he went back to Holland, but the brother did not want to say.
12.31.2005
The impact of Natalee Holloway
Story of the disappearance of a young American in Aruba and her mother’s determination to keep it in the world’s attention, at our island’s expense
Bon Dia Aruba
12/31/2005
The news surprised many. A young American of 18 years of age did not return to her hotel after a night at Carlos ‘n Charlies, and missed her flight home. However, there was no reason for alarm, because no one disappears in Aruba and tourists always turn up one or two days later. Police say that they experience this regularly.
It is because of this that no one expected that this story would turn global and certainly not a nightmare for a whole country on the one hand, and various families on the other. The story of Natalee Holloway does not end in 2005, and given the attention that it has found, especially on American TV channels, it will continue strong in 2006. It is the story about Natalee, but perhaps still more about Beth Twitty, her mother, who is determined to boycott Aruba, as long as authorities do not return her daughter or punish the three youths suspected of having something to do with the disappearance of the blonde, white and pretty daughter. It is a story that has three ingredients, Natalee, Beth and the attack against Aruba.
It is a story that begins as many others. A youth enthused with the end of school and who came to Aruba in a group of approximately 140 students from the same school, Mountain Brook High from Birmingham, Alabama. According to her mother, Beth Twitty, a girl who finished school with honours and a scholarship to go to the University of Alabama. Not much else is known about Natalee. Her mother has never said much about her daughter, except for saying that her favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz. We hear about Natalee every day, but we don’t know much more about her, and no one has said who this girl really is.
JUNE:
The first week.
The group came to Aruba for 5 days, and on the last night, May 29, Natalee met Joran van der Sloot in the casino of the Holiday Inn and invited him to go to Carlos ‘n Charlies. Joran, 17 at the time, went home at 11:00 pm, where his father passed to pick him up at the McDonald’s Palm Beach. But later, he called his friend Deepak for them to go to the night spot to meet the group from Mountain Brook. Satish Kalpoe also went, and as soon as Carlos ‘n Charlies closed, Natalee got in Deepak’s car and went with the three supposedly to the Lighthouse and the area where the sharks are. This was the last time that Natalee’s companions say they saw the young woman, the suspects and Aruba. Bon Dia observed especially the first weeks, which was marked with many developments in the case.
In the morning, May 30, when it was time to go to the airport, it was noticed that Natalee wasn’t there. However, they waited until they were at the airport to advise the family and afterwards, police.
In less than 12 hours after receiving the call, Natalee’s family, Beth Twitty, was already in Aruba, with the conviction that her daughter was kidnapped. With the help of some people in Aruba, she was able to identify Joran van der Sloot and went to his house. Here, she confronted Joran’s father, Paul van der Sloot, who determined that his son was not home. Joran was once again with Deepak and when they got home, they found themselves in front of a desperate mother. Here came the version that they left Natalee in front of the lobby of the Holiday Inn. Natalee tripped, and got up. They also said that there was a man who resembled a security guard close by.
In the morning of the 31st of May, there were already ‘kidnapped’ posters, which afterwards turned into ‘missing’. And who can forget the most salient, where Beth asked Natalee to call her “Mom is really here in Aruba and I really want to talk to you”. At that time there was already a reward for people who could have more information.
Although police had not yet reacted, the Tuesday in question (something that was later followed), they were able to organize an intense search.
Wednesday 1st of June, the Royal Marines as well as local groups organized for people from Aruba and International Friends of Aruba searched especially in the area of the Lighthouse, Arashi, North of the Marriott and also in crack houses, with no results. The matter turned serious and fell under the charge of Commissioner Jan van der Straten of the Noord district, and chief prosecutor Karin Jansen was put in charge of the case. In the meantime, the FBI was already in Aruba.
The news reached the U.S. and for the 1st of June, there were already in the news of some important web sites. Thursday, the news was already on all TV channels. The first news teams from the U.S. arrived in Aruba, FOX, with NBC being the first. By the following Friday there were already CNN, CBS. ABC and various teams from FOX and NBC/MSNBC.
Minister of Justice Rudy Croes arrived in Aruba Friday June 3 and was the first to criticize the investigation openly, during a press conference that took place in Santa Cruz, in the presence of Commissioner Gerold Dompig. The Minister’s intention was to remove Jan van der Straten from the case, especially for not arresting the three who were last seen with Natalee. The same night, a tip came in that Natalee was in an apartment. An intense search led to another American, but the family was completely destroyed since it wasn’t Natalee.
Saturday, June 4 an ‘inval’ was done at the Alegro Resort, under construction. Police searched the whole hotel for a possible lead. This was the same day that CNN reported that Aruba is a trampoline for drugs and prostitution. Although the reportage was based on a State Department report published in March, and that the reported pointed out that Aruba had little crime, this was the first ‘flavour’ of all negative reporting to come. Minister Croes was furious and threatened to expel the CNN team if they did not rectify. Neither happened. CNN did not rectify, nor were they expelled.
However, in these days, SPA (Police Union) stood firmly behind Jan van der Straten, and finally he remained in charge of the case.
Sunday, June 5, two former security guards were arrested, Mikky John and Abraham Jones, under suspicion of having something to do with the disappearance. An intense search started in Grapefield and area, and a mattress with blood was found, which later resulted to be the blood of a dog. By the afternoon, Commissioner van der Straten and Chief Prosecutor Jansen held the first press conference of the investigative team, which was one of the biggest there have ever been. In the afternoon hours there was a vigil and prayers for Natalee at the Lighthouse.
Next two weeks:
Monday there was another press meeting, which announced that the Minister of Justice called for a National Day of Search for Natalee. Carlos ‘n Charlies had to go to court to prevent the government from closing their facilities.
The next day, June 7, the government closed half a day and under the supervision of Commissioner Trudy Hassell, a big search was organized. About 700 people participated with no result. Meanwhile, lawyers for Jones and John started to fight the detention of their clients. It was the first in a long series of cases in court for this entire case, which is still ongoing.
Thursday, June 9, police detained simultaneously Joran van der Sloot and brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, exactly on the day that Joran was to receive his diploma from ISA (International School of Aruba). They also searched their rooms and confiscated a computer, a car, and other articles. Lawyers Antonio Carlo, Rudy Oomen and David Kock are their defense attorneys. According to Commissioner van der Straten, the reason they delayed the arrest of the three was a tactic, to follow their steps. The Prime Minister met with the American press to clear up the negative reports and said that the American press is putting and end to 50 years of hard work in tourism.
Friday, June 10, information came in that Joran had confessed. The news was transmitted by CNN and people came out to the street, looking for something without knowing what. Police denied this confession later. However, what did come out was that the three started to change their first version. Joran said that he left Natalee on the beach north of the Marriott. Meanwhile, prosecutor Flanegin joined the team and Joran’s mother, Anita van der Sloot spoke for the first time to say that his son was innocent.
Monday, June 13, the two security guards were set free, and Mikky John in particular became a regular that week on American television. Aruba was already being accused of ‘racial profiling’. It has to be said that already for this time, the tone of announcers in the US was very negative against police and the judicial system, especially given that the three principal suspects were not officially accused.
What followed were intense searches for any proof of culpability. Police were already looking for a body, while Beth Twitty was still talking of her daughter alive. But the tone started to change, and every time there was increasing criticism of police and she started accusing the police force and the investigative team of a ‘cover up’ and corruption. They combed the area north of the Marriott, along with the FBI and three experts from the Dutch Forensic Institute. They brought in a dog from Miami, and a Coast Guard helicopter equipped with a special machine, which made its turns on top of Aruba. It was in this week that the first call of boycott against Aruba came in, on the part of radio announcers Russ and Dee.
The case took a turn when they detained Steve Croes, who said that he saw the three suspects drop off Natalee at the Holiday Inn. Police already knew that this was a lie, according to them, to have someone he knew, Deepak, be set free. Croes was later set free, but he lost his job and his reputation.
On the 23 of June, Paul van der Sloot was detained on suspicion of helping to get rid of the body or to cover up the case. On the same day, Texas Equusearch arrived in Aruba, to start their search. They came with a dog, and more sophisticated equipment. The group found assistance from Aruba and local businesses. Banks gave the organization $20,000. In the end, Tim Miller also spoke against Aruba that authorities were “interfering with their search”. This came after Miller received a special pin from Prime Minister Nelson Oduber and had thanked Aruba for all the cooperation received.
Paul van der Sloot did not remain locked up much time. The following Sunday, the Judge Commissioner from Curacao found that there wasn’t enough motive for his detention. This took place while it was published that Joran tried to blame Deepak. Lawyers categorically deny this.
Given the supremely negative tone, the government along with AHATA and ATA, formed a Strategic Communications Commission to counteract all bad information on the case and Aruba.
JULY:
One month after her disappearance, the Strategic Commission organized a human chain to remember Natalee and pray for a solution to the case. After letting the three suspects show authorities where they finally left Natalee, not much later the Judge Commissioner set Deepak and Satish Kalpoe free. Joran’s detention was prolonged.
Beth Twitty reacted strongly, calling the Kalpoe brothers criminals and asking the rest of the world not to accept these two. This comment set off a reaction from a group of citizens worried with the manner in which the American media was covering the case. They organized a spontaneous protest, followed a day after with an apology from Beth Twitty, who in the meantime sought the services of attorney Vinda de Souza.
For the first time, Dutch Ambassador in Washington, Boudewijn van Eenennaam declared that Aruba was doing everything possible to solve the case. Meanwhile, insistent rumours started about the tension between Attorney General Theresa Croes and Chief Prosecutor Karin Jansen.
It can also be remembered that duct tape was found in Boca Tortuga and Texas Equusearch made much noise about a hole found at the Arirok National Park, which also resulted in nothing.
Authorities brought the suspects to give saliva for a DNA test, since they found someone’s DNA on Natalee’s toothbrush. In any case, it wasn’t Satish’s and later, Jug Twitty declared that perhaps it was his, since he helped Natalee pack her bags. Meanwhile Natalee’s family increased the reward to 200 thousand dollars and brought in their own private investigators. Some days later, the reward went to 1 million dollars. They didn’t want to say who made the donation.
At the end of the month, prosecutor Flanegin went to the U.S. with the interrogation tapes for analysis at the FBI, and expert interrogators were requested from Holland to speak with Joran.
At the same time, the Alabama parliament passed a resolution asking for a boycott against Aruba. Beth Twitty said that she didn’t know anything about it, and her spouse, Jug Twitty sent a letter to stop the boycott.
Meanwhile, police were looking for Joran’s show and found indications that it could be in the pond near the Racquet Club. An immense undertaking was initiated to take out the water from the pond, which lasted a few days. There were no results.
AUGUST:
Texas Equusearch went to look at the van der Sloot house and found a problem with Commissioner Dompig, who had in the meantime replaced van der Straten who took his retirement. Beth Twitty, on her side, became completely negative against Aruba in all her daily interviews with American television, especially with FOX and Headline News. Her lawyer urged Aruba for understanding for pain of a mother with a lost child.
In all this, a gardener who saw the three at the pond the night Natalee disappeared presented himself. The gardener went ‘missing’ himself on the day that he had to give a declaration to the Judge Commissioner, supposedly for fear that he was an illegal. But at the end, his declaration did not help the investigation much, given that the judge did not consider his declaration very valid. Also, police asked the community to locate a jogger who also could have seen something that night. There was no reaction.
On the other side, Beth Twitty and a cameraman from MSNBC went to Deepak’s work, where she offered him 250 thousand dollars to say what Joran did with her daughter. Deepak filed a complaint, and Beth reacted with a complaint of her own.
Another search expert, Fred Golba, came to Aruba with his special dog. But in this case, he did count with the respect of the Aruba police.
In the U.S. some more respected media, such as the New York Times and the St. Petersburg Times questioned all the attention of the case of Natalee Holloway. Even the CNN President, Jonathan Klein accused FOX of giving worth to ‘nonsense’ for the sake of ratings. When it was thought that nothing else would happen, MSNBC went to KIA for an interview with the director, Mr. Freddy Maduro, who invited them to go look where Joran was. The case resulted in a lightning treatment in court, where Joran himself described what happened. MSNBC was prohibited from airing the images and Maduro found a suspension of a few weeks.
At the end of the month, the prosecutor added rape accusations against Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers, who were once again detained, along with Joran’s friend, Freddy Arambatsis. This was also the time that attorneys de Sousa, Mohamed and Rojer pulled back from Beth Twitty and remained representing only Dave Holloway. Helen Lejuez became the Twitty family attorney.
The end of August was marked also by a series of cases in court, where the detention of the suspects was challenged and vice-versa. The Judge Commissioner decided to let the three suspects confront each other in court. According to witnesses, Joran cried on this occasion and all denied the new rape charges.
SEPTEMBER:
The American press was preparing for Hurricane Katrina, which happened at the same time that they had to either prolong the detention or let the suspects go free. The Judge decided to suspend the detention conditionally, as much for Joran as for the Kalpoe brothers could leave prison the first Saturday of the month. All this happened at the moment that once again Karin Jansen ordered a new search north of the Marriott. On the same day, Beth criticized the decision but as strange as it sounds, thanked Aruba and Dutch authorities for all their cooperation.
After giving his first public declaration, where he emphasized his innocence, Joran van der Sloot traveled to Holland where he is now studying. The Public Prosecutor tried to stop the case via a court case, but was not able to. Some days later, the court determined that there was no reason for the detention of the three, and all three remained free, officially, although they are still suspects.
Beth Twitty, who in Aruba expressed gratitude for our people, but who in her interviews was speaking against our island, left Aruba after being here two months. A friend of hers, Joe Mammana, in the US threatened to bring ‘hell to Aruba’ but Beth did not want to say if she supported this view. But in the meantime, she was already planning to appear in the Dr. Phil show, who did openly ask for a boycott against Aruba. One of the reasons was an interview with Deepak, by the former FBI agent, Jamie Skeeters. Here, Deepak admitted to having sexual relations with Natalee and that it was easy. Deepak Kalpoe denied saying such a thing, and already the rumours that the tape was ‘doctored’ began.
But the damage was done and the Strategic Commission was aware of the negative impact of the Dr. Phil show, but they couldn’t do much.
And while the investigation continued in Aruba, among other things a search in the sea on the side of the Lighthouse, A Current Affair was able to obtain an interview with Joran in Holland. Here, Joran stood firm again that he didn’t do anything and that he regretted lying the first time.
OCTOBER:
The Strategic Commission urged the government for a meeting to see what would be the best way to deal with the grave accusations against Aruba. The reason was that they wanted an official person to explain the process. They were in agreement with Commissioner Dompig to take the word.
On the other side, Paul van der Sloot started a case to see if he was a suspect or not, following up with a case of damages and prejudice.
Dave Holloway on his side, asked the community of Aruba to continue to help with information and tips and spoke against the boycott given that “my mother works in a gas station. If she were working in Aruba, then she would also be affected by a boycott. I do not support a boycott against Aruba.” Further still, Holloway said that he supports the police force of Aruba, who in the meantime was able to obtain the Jamie Skeeters tape of the interview with Deepak Kalpoe and sent it to the Dutch Forensic Institute for analysis.
NOVEMBER:
After canceling her trip to Aruba, given that in her interview in which she declared to America that she was threatened and was going to be arrested, Beth Twitty returned to Aruba for two days to speak with police. Along with her, again, were some members of the American press. At first instance, it was feared that she came to disturb the ATCA conference. However, this did not happen. Beth Twitty spoke with police and also with the Strategic Commission where she promised better cooperation and communication.
But one week later, she was standing next to her husband, Jug Twitty, in the presence of Alabama Governor Bob Riley who asked for a boycott against Aruba. The accusation was made that authorities in Aruba were not doing anything to solve the case of Natalee Holloway. Prime Minister Nelson Oduber claimed that Riley did not make an attempt to get in touch before the call for a boycott and showed how many disappearance cases there are in Alabama. The State Department, on the other hand, said that there is no official boycott. Ambassador van Eenennaam in Washington condemned the call for a boycott and Minister Ben Bot attended to the matter with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
In one of two shows, Dr. Phil showed that perhaps Natalee is alive, based on a call that Beth received. But some days later, it was announced that DFI confirmed the suspicion that they ‘played’ with Skeeter’s Deepak interview. They manipulated where the tape said ‘no we didn’t’ to say only ‘we did’. In the same time period, an American citizen in California Lisa Chiafullo got in contact with Aruba because she was angry with Beth’s circus and that it was time to start a boycott against Natalee’s mother. A certain quantity of signatures was collected to support Chiafullo, but the action was never followed up. What’s more, the Strategic Commission did not agree.
After sending letters to all Governor colleagues, Bob Riley found support from Mike Huckabee of Arkansas in the call for a boycott against Aruba. Dave Holloway approached Mississippi Governor to get his opinion, but there has still not been any reaction from this state. Lawyers for Dave Holloway denied that he also asked for a boycott. On the other side, Dave Holloway also now is strongly criticizing Aruba.
Ironically, the same month that the calls for boycott were made, Aruba opened its doors to 7 American Congressmen who were denied entry at the Venezuela airport. Prime Minister Oduber said to the leader of the delegation, Mr. Henry Hyde that friends have to be treated well if they want to keep a good relationship. Hyde, on his side, complimented Aruba for supporting the U.S. in the region.
To close the month, Beth Twitty was named one of the 10 most fascinating people of 2005 by Barbara Walters.
DECEMBER:
Aruba named Steve Cohen, co-founder of Court TV and former CBS executive as Aruba spokesperson to the US, along with Arlene Ellis-Schipper. His first declaration was that “sadness is no reason to not speak the truth”, referring to Beth Twitty.
Renowned American lawyer Mark Garagos criticized Dr. Phil on the Larry King show, saying that the psychologist acted in a supremely irresponsible manner when he involved himself in the investigation.
On his side, Paul van der Sloot, who according to the Court is not a suspect in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, tended to the case of damages and prejudice personally in the other year. He wants monkey to cover lawyer expenses. The divide between the Attorney General and the Chief Prosecutor continued, and Minister of Justice reminded Mrs. Jansen that the Attorney General remains her boss. This happened at the time when he forbid Commissioner Dompig from speaking. According to information, he took the decision because he was not happy with his declarations on the American press, among others on the prestigious magazine Vanity Fair, where he said that Beth Twitty is also at fault for the investigation not going as it should have. It is ironic that SPA, after their criticism of Dompig in June, stood firmly behind the Commissioner.
There was another divide between ATA and AHATA in the thought of whether they have to send a special mission to the Alabama Congressman, Spencer Bachus. Finally, the visit turned out to be a success, since they took all documents. Bachus complimented the investigators and said that never had he seen such a complete dossier. The mission consisted of Arlene Ellis-Schipper, Commissioner Dolfi Richardson, and Steve Cohen.
However, the trip did not stop Georgia Governor George Perdue to join the boycott. However, the reaction in Atlanta, in particular was not much, and even negative against this call.
Joran returned to Aruba to spend Christmas vacation and there are indications that they want to interrogate him again, along with the Kalpoe brothers.
Current events:
Until today, no one knows where Natalee Holloway is. The suspicion remains on Joran van der Sloot, and Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. There is neither a confession, nor any admission of sexual relations in the most explicit sense. And it in this way that the investigation has no solid proof to say that the three suspects are indeed responsible for her death or disappearance. Of rape, nothing can be said still, since Natalee is not there to clear this up. However, there has still not been an official interrogation of the students who were with Natalee in Aruba. There are many questions in Aruba that have gone unanswered. That the coverage of the case of Natalee Holloway had an impact is a fact. How it will affect our island, time will tell. There is already fear that perhaps the constant and negative coverage affected the business of the Aruba airport. AHATA foresees an ‘off season’ 2006 with many challenges, especially given that they conducted research on some important markets for Aruba and the results showed that the people who were surveyed did not have much trust in our judicial system. On the other hand, every crisis creates a need to become creative.
Perhaps the story of Natalee Holloway is more of a ‘wake up call’ for Aruba, for us to procure a more secure infrastructure for our country, as much as for our people as for tourists, and most importantly, to remove an almost complete dependence on only one market and open our eyes to others.
But most important is for justice to prevail and that any person who could be involved in the disappearance or who knows more about the case be identified. Because Natalee and Aruba deserve this.
Story of the disappearance of a young American in Aruba and her mother’s determination to keep it in the world’s attention, at our island’s expense
Bon Dia Aruba
12/31/2005
The news surprised many. A young American of 18 years of age did not return to her hotel after a night at Carlos ‘n Charlies, and missed her flight home. However, there was no reason for alarm, because no one disappears in Aruba and tourists always turn up one or two days later. Police say that they experience this regularly.
It is because of this that no one expected that this story would turn global and certainly not a nightmare for a whole country on the one hand, and various families on the other. The story of Natalee Holloway does not end in 2005, and given the attention that it has found, especially on American TV channels, it will continue strong in 2006. It is the story about Natalee, but perhaps still more about Beth Twitty, her mother, who is determined to boycott Aruba, as long as authorities do not return her daughter or punish the three youths suspected of having something to do with the disappearance of the blonde, white and pretty daughter. It is a story that has three ingredients, Natalee, Beth and the attack against Aruba.
It is a story that begins as many others. A youth enthused with the end of school and who came to Aruba in a group of approximately 140 students from the same school, Mountain Brook High from Birmingham, Alabama. According to her mother, Beth Twitty, a girl who finished school with honours and a scholarship to go to the University of Alabama. Not much else is known about Natalee. Her mother has never said much about her daughter, except for saying that her favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz. We hear about Natalee every day, but we don’t know much more about her, and no one has said who this girl really is.
JUNE:
The first week.
The group came to Aruba for 5 days, and on the last night, May 29, Natalee met Joran van der Sloot in the casino of the Holiday Inn and invited him to go to Carlos ‘n Charlies. Joran, 17 at the time, went home at 11:00 pm, where his father passed to pick him up at the McDonald’s Palm Beach. But later, he called his friend Deepak for them to go to the night spot to meet the group from Mountain Brook. Satish Kalpoe also went, and as soon as Carlos ‘n Charlies closed, Natalee got in Deepak’s car and went with the three supposedly to the Lighthouse and the area where the sharks are. This was the last time that Natalee’s companions say they saw the young woman, the suspects and Aruba. Bon Dia observed especially the first weeks, which was marked with many developments in the case.
In the morning, May 30, when it was time to go to the airport, it was noticed that Natalee wasn’t there. However, they waited until they were at the airport to advise the family and afterwards, police.
In less than 12 hours after receiving the call, Natalee’s family, Beth Twitty, was already in Aruba, with the conviction that her daughter was kidnapped. With the help of some people in Aruba, she was able to identify Joran van der Sloot and went to his house. Here, she confronted Joran’s father, Paul van der Sloot, who determined that his son was not home. Joran was once again with Deepak and when they got home, they found themselves in front of a desperate mother. Here came the version that they left Natalee in front of the lobby of the Holiday Inn. Natalee tripped, and got up. They also said that there was a man who resembled a security guard close by.
In the morning of the 31st of May, there were already ‘kidnapped’ posters, which afterwards turned into ‘missing’. And who can forget the most salient, where Beth asked Natalee to call her “Mom is really here in Aruba and I really want to talk to you”. At that time there was already a reward for people who could have more information.
Although police had not yet reacted, the Tuesday in question (something that was later followed), they were able to organize an intense search.
Wednesday 1st of June, the Royal Marines as well as local groups organized for people from Aruba and International Friends of Aruba searched especially in the area of the Lighthouse, Arashi, North of the Marriott and also in crack houses, with no results. The matter turned serious and fell under the charge of Commissioner Jan van der Straten of the Noord district, and chief prosecutor Karin Jansen was put in charge of the case. In the meantime, the FBI was already in Aruba.
The news reached the U.S. and for the 1st of June, there were already in the news of some important web sites. Thursday, the news was already on all TV channels. The first news teams from the U.S. arrived in Aruba, FOX, with NBC being the first. By the following Friday there were already CNN, CBS. ABC and various teams from FOX and NBC/MSNBC.
Minister of Justice Rudy Croes arrived in Aruba Friday June 3 and was the first to criticize the investigation openly, during a press conference that took place in Santa Cruz, in the presence of Commissioner Gerold Dompig. The Minister’s intention was to remove Jan van der Straten from the case, especially for not arresting the three who were last seen with Natalee. The same night, a tip came in that Natalee was in an apartment. An intense search led to another American, but the family was completely destroyed since it wasn’t Natalee.
Saturday, June 4 an ‘inval’ was done at the Alegro Resort, under construction. Police searched the whole hotel for a possible lead. This was the same day that CNN reported that Aruba is a trampoline for drugs and prostitution. Although the reportage was based on a State Department report published in March, and that the reported pointed out that Aruba had little crime, this was the first ‘flavour’ of all negative reporting to come. Minister Croes was furious and threatened to expel the CNN team if they did not rectify. Neither happened. CNN did not rectify, nor were they expelled.
However, in these days, SPA (Police Union) stood firmly behind Jan van der Straten, and finally he remained in charge of the case.
Sunday, June 5, two former security guards were arrested, Mikky John and Abraham Jones, under suspicion of having something to do with the disappearance. An intense search started in Grapefield and area, and a mattress with blood was found, which later resulted to be the blood of a dog. By the afternoon, Commissioner van der Straten and Chief Prosecutor Jansen held the first press conference of the investigative team, which was one of the biggest there have ever been. In the afternoon hours there was a vigil and prayers for Natalee at the Lighthouse.
Next two weeks:
Monday there was another press meeting, which announced that the Minister of Justice called for a National Day of Search for Natalee. Carlos ‘n Charlies had to go to court to prevent the government from closing their facilities.
The next day, June 7, the government closed half a day and under the supervision of Commissioner Trudy Hassell, a big search was organized. About 700 people participated with no result. Meanwhile, lawyers for Jones and John started to fight the detention of their clients. It was the first in a long series of cases in court for this entire case, which is still ongoing.
Thursday, June 9, police detained simultaneously Joran van der Sloot and brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, exactly on the day that Joran was to receive his diploma from ISA (International School of Aruba). They also searched their rooms and confiscated a computer, a car, and other articles. Lawyers Antonio Carlo, Rudy Oomen and David Kock are their defense attorneys. According to Commissioner van der Straten, the reason they delayed the arrest of the three was a tactic, to follow their steps. The Prime Minister met with the American press to clear up the negative reports and said that the American press is putting and end to 50 years of hard work in tourism.
Friday, June 10, information came in that Joran had confessed. The news was transmitted by CNN and people came out to the street, looking for something without knowing what. Police denied this confession later. However, what did come out was that the three started to change their first version. Joran said that he left Natalee on the beach north of the Marriott. Meanwhile, prosecutor Flanegin joined the team and Joran’s mother, Anita van der Sloot spoke for the first time to say that his son was innocent.
Monday, June 13, the two security guards were set free, and Mikky John in particular became a regular that week on American television. Aruba was already being accused of ‘racial profiling’. It has to be said that already for this time, the tone of announcers in the US was very negative against police and the judicial system, especially given that the three principal suspects were not officially accused.
What followed were intense searches for any proof of culpability. Police were already looking for a body, while Beth Twitty was still talking of her daughter alive. But the tone started to change, and every time there was increasing criticism of police and she started accusing the police force and the investigative team of a ‘cover up’ and corruption. They combed the area north of the Marriott, along with the FBI and three experts from the Dutch Forensic Institute. They brought in a dog from Miami, and a Coast Guard helicopter equipped with a special machine, which made its turns on top of Aruba. It was in this week that the first call of boycott against Aruba came in, on the part of radio announcers Russ and Dee.
The case took a turn when they detained Steve Croes, who said that he saw the three suspects drop off Natalee at the Holiday Inn. Police already knew that this was a lie, according to them, to have someone he knew, Deepak, be set free. Croes was later set free, but he lost his job and his reputation.
On the 23 of June, Paul van der Sloot was detained on suspicion of helping to get rid of the body or to cover up the case. On the same day, Texas Equusearch arrived in Aruba, to start their search. They came with a dog, and more sophisticated equipment. The group found assistance from Aruba and local businesses. Banks gave the organization $20,000. In the end, Tim Miller also spoke against Aruba that authorities were “interfering with their search”. This came after Miller received a special pin from Prime Minister Nelson Oduber and had thanked Aruba for all the cooperation received.
Paul van der Sloot did not remain locked up much time. The following Sunday, the Judge Commissioner from Curacao found that there wasn’t enough motive for his detention. This took place while it was published that Joran tried to blame Deepak. Lawyers categorically deny this.
Given the supremely negative tone, the government along with AHATA and ATA, formed a Strategic Communications Commission to counteract all bad information on the case and Aruba.
JULY:
One month after her disappearance, the Strategic Commission organized a human chain to remember Natalee and pray for a solution to the case. After letting the three suspects show authorities where they finally left Natalee, not much later the Judge Commissioner set Deepak and Satish Kalpoe free. Joran’s detention was prolonged.
Beth Twitty reacted strongly, calling the Kalpoe brothers criminals and asking the rest of the world not to accept these two. This comment set off a reaction from a group of citizens worried with the manner in which the American media was covering the case. They organized a spontaneous protest, followed a day after with an apology from Beth Twitty, who in the meantime sought the services of attorney Vinda de Souza.
For the first time, Dutch Ambassador in Washington, Boudewijn van Eenennaam declared that Aruba was doing everything possible to solve the case. Meanwhile, insistent rumours started about the tension between Attorney General Theresa Croes and Chief Prosecutor Karin Jansen.
It can also be remembered that duct tape was found in Boca Tortuga and Texas Equusearch made much noise about a hole found at the Arirok National Park, which also resulted in nothing.
Authorities brought the suspects to give saliva for a DNA test, since they found someone’s DNA on Natalee’s toothbrush. In any case, it wasn’t Satish’s and later, Jug Twitty declared that perhaps it was his, since he helped Natalee pack her bags. Meanwhile Natalee’s family increased the reward to 200 thousand dollars and brought in their own private investigators. Some days later, the reward went to 1 million dollars. They didn’t want to say who made the donation.
At the end of the month, prosecutor Flanegin went to the U.S. with the interrogation tapes for analysis at the FBI, and expert interrogators were requested from Holland to speak with Joran.
At the same time, the Alabama parliament passed a resolution asking for a boycott against Aruba. Beth Twitty said that she didn’t know anything about it, and her spouse, Jug Twitty sent a letter to stop the boycott.
Meanwhile, police were looking for Joran’s show and found indications that it could be in the pond near the Racquet Club. An immense undertaking was initiated to take out the water from the pond, which lasted a few days. There were no results.
AUGUST:
Texas Equusearch went to look at the van der Sloot house and found a problem with Commissioner Dompig, who had in the meantime replaced van der Straten who took his retirement. Beth Twitty, on her side, became completely negative against Aruba in all her daily interviews with American television, especially with FOX and Headline News. Her lawyer urged Aruba for understanding for pain of a mother with a lost child.
In all this, a gardener who saw the three at the pond the night Natalee disappeared presented himself. The gardener went ‘missing’ himself on the day that he had to give a declaration to the Judge Commissioner, supposedly for fear that he was an illegal. But at the end, his declaration did not help the investigation much, given that the judge did not consider his declaration very valid. Also, police asked the community to locate a jogger who also could have seen something that night. There was no reaction.
On the other side, Beth Twitty and a cameraman from MSNBC went to Deepak’s work, where she offered him 250 thousand dollars to say what Joran did with her daughter. Deepak filed a complaint, and Beth reacted with a complaint of her own.
Another search expert, Fred Golba, came to Aruba with his special dog. But in this case, he did count with the respect of the Aruba police.
In the U.S. some more respected media, such as the New York Times and the St. Petersburg Times questioned all the attention of the case of Natalee Holloway. Even the CNN President, Jonathan Klein accused FOX of giving worth to ‘nonsense’ for the sake of ratings. When it was thought that nothing else would happen, MSNBC went to KIA for an interview with the director, Mr. Freddy Maduro, who invited them to go look where Joran was. The case resulted in a lightning treatment in court, where Joran himself described what happened. MSNBC was prohibited from airing the images and Maduro found a suspension of a few weeks.
At the end of the month, the prosecutor added rape accusations against Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers, who were once again detained, along with Joran’s friend, Freddy Arambatsis. This was also the time that attorneys de Sousa, Mohamed and Rojer pulled back from Beth Twitty and remained representing only Dave Holloway. Helen Lejuez became the Twitty family attorney.
The end of August was marked also by a series of cases in court, where the detention of the suspects was challenged and vice-versa. The Judge Commissioner decided to let the three suspects confront each other in court. According to witnesses, Joran cried on this occasion and all denied the new rape charges.
SEPTEMBER:
The American press was preparing for Hurricane Katrina, which happened at the same time that they had to either prolong the detention or let the suspects go free. The Judge decided to suspend the detention conditionally, as much for Joran as for the Kalpoe brothers could leave prison the first Saturday of the month. All this happened at the moment that once again Karin Jansen ordered a new search north of the Marriott. On the same day, Beth criticized the decision but as strange as it sounds, thanked Aruba and Dutch authorities for all their cooperation.
After giving his first public declaration, where he emphasized his innocence, Joran van der Sloot traveled to Holland where he is now studying. The Public Prosecutor tried to stop the case via a court case, but was not able to. Some days later, the court determined that there was no reason for the detention of the three, and all three remained free, officially, although they are still suspects.
Beth Twitty, who in Aruba expressed gratitude for our people, but who in her interviews was speaking against our island, left Aruba after being here two months. A friend of hers, Joe Mammana, in the US threatened to bring ‘hell to Aruba’ but Beth did not want to say if she supported this view. But in the meantime, she was already planning to appear in the Dr. Phil show, who did openly ask for a boycott against Aruba. One of the reasons was an interview with Deepak, by the former FBI agent, Jamie Skeeters. Here, Deepak admitted to having sexual relations with Natalee and that it was easy. Deepak Kalpoe denied saying such a thing, and already the rumours that the tape was ‘doctored’ began.
But the damage was done and the Strategic Commission was aware of the negative impact of the Dr. Phil show, but they couldn’t do much.
And while the investigation continued in Aruba, among other things a search in the sea on the side of the Lighthouse, A Current Affair was able to obtain an interview with Joran in Holland. Here, Joran stood firm again that he didn’t do anything and that he regretted lying the first time.
OCTOBER:
The Strategic Commission urged the government for a meeting to see what would be the best way to deal with the grave accusations against Aruba. The reason was that they wanted an official person to explain the process. They were in agreement with Commissioner Dompig to take the word.
On the other side, Paul van der Sloot started a case to see if he was a suspect or not, following up with a case of damages and prejudice.
Dave Holloway on his side, asked the community of Aruba to continue to help with information and tips and spoke against the boycott given that “my mother works in a gas station. If she were working in Aruba, then she would also be affected by a boycott. I do not support a boycott against Aruba.” Further still, Holloway said that he supports the police force of Aruba, who in the meantime was able to obtain the Jamie Skeeters tape of the interview with Deepak Kalpoe and sent it to the Dutch Forensic Institute for analysis.
NOVEMBER:
After canceling her trip to Aruba, given that in her interview in which she declared to America that she was threatened and was going to be arrested, Beth Twitty returned to Aruba for two days to speak with police. Along with her, again, were some members of the American press. At first instance, it was feared that she came to disturb the ATCA conference. However, this did not happen. Beth Twitty spoke with police and also with the Strategic Commission where she promised better cooperation and communication.
But one week later, she was standing next to her husband, Jug Twitty, in the presence of Alabama Governor Bob Riley who asked for a boycott against Aruba. The accusation was made that authorities in Aruba were not doing anything to solve the case of Natalee Holloway. Prime Minister Nelson Oduber claimed that Riley did not make an attempt to get in touch before the call for a boycott and showed how many disappearance cases there are in Alabama. The State Department, on the other hand, said that there is no official boycott. Ambassador van Eenennaam in Washington condemned the call for a boycott and Minister Ben Bot attended to the matter with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
In one of two shows, Dr. Phil showed that perhaps Natalee is alive, based on a call that Beth received. But some days later, it was announced that DFI confirmed the suspicion that they ‘played’ with Skeeter’s Deepak interview. They manipulated where the tape said ‘no we didn’t’ to say only ‘we did’. In the same time period, an American citizen in California Lisa Chiafullo got in contact with Aruba because she was angry with Beth’s circus and that it was time to start a boycott against Natalee’s mother. A certain quantity of signatures was collected to support Chiafullo, but the action was never followed up. What’s more, the Strategic Commission did not agree.
After sending letters to all Governor colleagues, Bob Riley found support from Mike Huckabee of Arkansas in the call for a boycott against Aruba. Dave Holloway approached Mississippi Governor to get his opinion, but there has still not been any reaction from this state. Lawyers for Dave Holloway denied that he also asked for a boycott. On the other side, Dave Holloway also now is strongly criticizing Aruba.
Ironically, the same month that the calls for boycott were made, Aruba opened its doors to 7 American Congressmen who were denied entry at the Venezuela airport. Prime Minister Oduber said to the leader of the delegation, Mr. Henry Hyde that friends have to be treated well if they want to keep a good relationship. Hyde, on his side, complimented Aruba for supporting the U.S. in the region.
To close the month, Beth Twitty was named one of the 10 most fascinating people of 2005 by Barbara Walters.
DECEMBER:
Aruba named Steve Cohen, co-founder of Court TV and former CBS executive as Aruba spokesperson to the US, along with Arlene Ellis-Schipper. His first declaration was that “sadness is no reason to not speak the truth”, referring to Beth Twitty.
Renowned American lawyer Mark Garagos criticized Dr. Phil on the Larry King show, saying that the psychologist acted in a supremely irresponsible manner when he involved himself in the investigation.
On his side, Paul van der Sloot, who according to the Court is not a suspect in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, tended to the case of damages and prejudice personally in the other year. He wants monkey to cover lawyer expenses. The divide between the Attorney General and the Chief Prosecutor continued, and Minister of Justice reminded Mrs. Jansen that the Attorney General remains her boss. This happened at the time when he forbid Commissioner Dompig from speaking. According to information, he took the decision because he was not happy with his declarations on the American press, among others on the prestigious magazine Vanity Fair, where he said that Beth Twitty is also at fault for the investigation not going as it should have. It is ironic that SPA, after their criticism of Dompig in June, stood firmly behind the Commissioner.
There was another divide between ATA and AHATA in the thought of whether they have to send a special mission to the Alabama Congressman, Spencer Bachus. Finally, the visit turned out to be a success, since they took all documents. Bachus complimented the investigators and said that never had he seen such a complete dossier. The mission consisted of Arlene Ellis-Schipper, Commissioner Dolfi Richardson, and Steve Cohen.
However, the trip did not stop Georgia Governor George Perdue to join the boycott. However, the reaction in Atlanta, in particular was not much, and even negative against this call.
Joran returned to Aruba to spend Christmas vacation and there are indications that they want to interrogate him again, along with the Kalpoe brothers.
Current events:
Until today, no one knows where Natalee Holloway is. The suspicion remains on Joran van der Sloot, and Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. There is neither a confession, nor any admission of sexual relations in the most explicit sense. And it in this way that the investigation has no solid proof to say that the three suspects are indeed responsible for her death or disappearance. Of rape, nothing can be said still, since Natalee is not there to clear this up. However, there has still not been an official interrogation of the students who were with Natalee in Aruba. There are many questions in Aruba that have gone unanswered. That the coverage of the case of Natalee Holloway had an impact is a fact. How it will affect our island, time will tell. There is already fear that perhaps the constant and negative coverage affected the business of the Aruba airport. AHATA foresees an ‘off season’ 2006 with many challenges, especially given that they conducted research on some important markets for Aruba and the results showed that the people who were surveyed did not have much trust in our judicial system. On the other hand, every crisis creates a need to become creative.
Perhaps the story of Natalee Holloway is more of a ‘wake up call’ for Aruba, for us to procure a more secure infrastructure for our country, as much as for our people as for tourists, and most importantly, to remove an almost complete dependence on only one market and open our eyes to others.
But most important is for justice to prevail and that any person who could be involved in the disappearance or who knows more about the case be identified. Because Natalee and Aruba deserve this.
12.29.2005
According to Otmar Oduber
ATA’s duty is to publish the tourism numbers
It has been more than 6 months since they’ve done this
DIARIO Aruba
12/29/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Otmar Oduber, from the AVP faction, signaled during a press conference of the green party, that it is very troublesome and reproachable that the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), for the last 6 months hasn’t published tourism numbers.
He explained that this is something very irresponsible.
Oduber also said that he saw on NBC that they reported that Aruba was in the 10 news stories with the most impact of 2005, while the case of Natalee Holloway is the number 1 unresolved case.
According to Oduber, they also said that tourism has declined by a certain percentage, which is something that ATA has to give information about.
The parliamentarian also said that Aruba received 42,000 less tourists from cruise ships in 2005, compared with 2004.
If one multiplies this by the average amount of money that they would have spent in Aruba, which is $112, Aruba potentially lost more than 4 million dollars.
Oduber also indicated that there were 4.2% less travelers who passed through our airport, which could turn into 10%, which is an alarming effect that cannot continue.
ATA’s duty is to publish the tourism numbers
It has been more than 6 months since they’ve done this
DIARIO Aruba
12/29/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Otmar Oduber, from the AVP faction, signaled during a press conference of the green party, that it is very troublesome and reproachable that the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), for the last 6 months hasn’t published tourism numbers.
He explained that this is something very irresponsible.
Oduber also said that he saw on NBC that they reported that Aruba was in the 10 news stories with the most impact of 2005, while the case of Natalee Holloway is the number 1 unresolved case.
According to Oduber, they also said that tourism has declined by a certain percentage, which is something that ATA has to give information about.
The parliamentarian also said that Aruba received 42,000 less tourists from cruise ships in 2005, compared with 2004.
If one multiplies this by the average amount of money that they would have spent in Aruba, which is $112, Aruba potentially lost more than 4 million dollars.
Oduber also indicated that there were 4.2% less travelers who passed through our airport, which could turn into 10%, which is an alarming effect that cannot continue.
Alabama boycott violates an old Superior Court judgment
DIARIO Aruba
12/29/2005
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Information received from the US indicates that the boycott against Aruba that the Alabama Governor anounced, apparently violates a Superior Court decision which was rendered in the US in 1999.
The US Superior Court explained in a case in 1999 that the Federal Government is the one that represents the collective interest of the 48 American states, and is entrusted with the complete and exclusive responsibility for dealing with foreign countries. The system of government in the US is that the interests of cities, counties and states, imperatively requires that federal power which affects foreign relations, has to be free from local interference.
Therefore, the decision of March 1, 1999 demonstrates that every state has to let this decision up to the Federal Government. Observers said that the Alabama boycott, specifically, violates this Superior Court decision.
The case was National Foreign Trade Council vs. The Government of Massachusetts, who has problems with the country of Myanmar.
DIARIO Aruba
12/29/2005
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Information received from the US indicates that the boycott against Aruba that the Alabama Governor anounced, apparently violates a Superior Court decision which was rendered in the US in 1999.
The US Superior Court explained in a case in 1999 that the Federal Government is the one that represents the collective interest of the 48 American states, and is entrusted with the complete and exclusive responsibility for dealing with foreign countries. The system of government in the US is that the interests of cities, counties and states, imperatively requires that federal power which affects foreign relations, has to be free from local interference.
Therefore, the decision of March 1, 1999 demonstrates that every state has to let this decision up to the Federal Government. Observers said that the Alabama boycott, specifically, violates this Superior Court decision.
The case was National Foreign Trade Council vs. The Government of Massachusetts, who has problems with the country of Myanmar.
According to Steve Cohen
Majority of Americans convinced that Aruba is doing everything possible to solve the Holloway case
DIARIO Aruba
12/29/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN): According to the spokesman from America who is part of the Strategic Communications Task Force, Steve Cohen, in 8 to 10 weeks, it will be known if the Ministry of Justice collected sufficient proof against the 3 suspects in the case of Natalee Holloway, to bring the case in front of a judge.
This is a personal calculation that Cohen made. Cohen is being informed of all developments on the case, by Commissioner Dolfi Richardson.
According to Cohen, the 3 suspects, Joran van der Sloot, Satish Kalpoe and Deepak Kalpoe will be interrogated in the coming days.
According to Cohen, the reaction from people in the US is less negative than everyone believes.
He said that the majority of people in the US is convinced that justice in Aruba is doing everything possible to solve the case.
Majority of Americans convinced that Aruba is doing everything possible to solve the Holloway case
DIARIO Aruba
12/29/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN): According to the spokesman from America who is part of the Strategic Communications Task Force, Steve Cohen, in 8 to 10 weeks, it will be known if the Ministry of Justice collected sufficient proof against the 3 suspects in the case of Natalee Holloway, to bring the case in front of a judge.
This is a personal calculation that Cohen made. Cohen is being informed of all developments on the case, by Commissioner Dolfi Richardson.
According to Cohen, the 3 suspects, Joran van der Sloot, Satish Kalpoe and Deepak Kalpoe will be interrogated in the coming days.
According to Cohen, the reaction from people in the US is less negative than everyone believes.
He said that the majority of people in the US is convinced that justice in Aruba is doing everything possible to solve the case.
12.27.2005
In a telephone interview with Joran van der Sloot
I would have sued those responsible for the tape manipulation
Referring to the supposed manipulation of the Deepak recording
DIARIO Aruba
12/27/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, DIARIO obtained an interview with Joran van der Sloot via telephone and asked him how he’s doing now that he’s back in Aruba.
As it is known, Joran arrived in Aruba on the 14 of December to spend Christmas and New Year’s with his family, after he left for Holland a few months ago to study.
He confirmed to DIARIO that he’s studying International Business and that it is going very well.
He explained that he still has not gone to any parties [in Aruba], but he has received visits from friends and family and is enjoying his time with loved ones.
DIARIO asked him if he’s recognized on the street, and he said that it’s true that this is the case.
At the time where he goes out, different people recognize him and wish him a merry Christmas and a happy new year for him and his family.
Joran explained to DIARIO that he cannot talk about the details of the case, until it is resolved, but he said that he does not believe that it is fair what Natalee Holloway’s mother is trying to do to Aruba, in regards to the boycott.
He said that he understands that the mother perhaps is angry at him, because she believes that he has something to do with the disappearance of Natalee, but this is not a reason to start a boycott against Aruba.
Joran said that Beth Twitty’s anger is unfounded, because he didn’t do anything bad to the American girl.
In what relates to the matter of the recording of Deepak Kalpoe, where supposedly the Dr. Phil program manipulated the tape, Joran told DIARIO that he doesn’t understand how Deepak does not look for a way to sue the program.
At the end of the interview he said that he is happy that he still hasn’t been bothered by the press here in Aruba, now that he’s back, and that he’s happy that he’s back to spend time with his family.
I would have sued those responsible for the tape manipulation
Referring to the supposed manipulation of the Deepak recording
DIARIO Aruba
12/27/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, DIARIO obtained an interview with Joran van der Sloot via telephone and asked him how he’s doing now that he’s back in Aruba.
As it is known, Joran arrived in Aruba on the 14 of December to spend Christmas and New Year’s with his family, after he left for Holland a few months ago to study.
He confirmed to DIARIO that he’s studying International Business and that it is going very well.
He explained that he still has not gone to any parties [in Aruba], but he has received visits from friends and family and is enjoying his time with loved ones.
DIARIO asked him if he’s recognized on the street, and he said that it’s true that this is the case.
At the time where he goes out, different people recognize him and wish him a merry Christmas and a happy new year for him and his family.
Joran explained to DIARIO that he cannot talk about the details of the case, until it is resolved, but he said that he does not believe that it is fair what Natalee Holloway’s mother is trying to do to Aruba, in regards to the boycott.
He said that he understands that the mother perhaps is angry at him, because she believes that he has something to do with the disappearance of Natalee, but this is not a reason to start a boycott against Aruba.
Joran said that Beth Twitty’s anger is unfounded, because he didn’t do anything bad to the American girl.
In what relates to the matter of the recording of Deepak Kalpoe, where supposedly the Dr. Phil program manipulated the tape, Joran told DIARIO that he doesn’t understand how Deepak does not look for a way to sue the program.
At the end of the interview he said that he is happy that he still hasn’t been bothered by the press here in Aruba, now that he’s back, and that he’s happy that he’s back to spend time with his family.
12.22.2005
According to veteran policeman he will restructure the Bonaire force
Jan van der Straten will serve as High Commissioner for 6 to 12 months
He has an agreement with the Bonaire police union so he doesn’t understand the conflict
Bon Dia
12/22/2005
ORANJESTAD – As long as the country decision is not signed and in his hands, Jan vd Straten does not plan to start his new job in Bonaire as High Commissioner of the island of flamingos. Jan vd Straten said this to Bon Dia Aruba yesterday in an exclusive interview.
He confirmed the Bon Dia Aruba news that he will be the next chief of police of Bonaire and said that while he accepted this job, Aruba remains his home.
REQUEST FOR VD STRATEN
It was 2 to 3 years ago that the Antilles made the first attempt to seek vd Straten to work in Bonaire. “But my contract (in Aruba) was to end in August 15, 2005, so there wasn’t a possibility to go”, vd Straten said to this publication. He will procure to finalize this re-organization in Aruba first. After the invitation from the current Minister of Justice of the Anitlles, David Dick, he accepted the position. It was after two months passed that he spoke to his colleague and current Bonaire police chief Gerold Daantje.
WORKING TOGETHER
Here, they spoke about how they’re going to work together to see how vd Straten can work in Bonaire to prepare the police force in a new way and establish a relationship with Holland. While Daantje shared his opinion about the functioning in Bonaire, he expressed his preference to continue to study IT via a study task of the government of the US. As such, he came to an agreement with Minister Dick to leave Bonaire.
COUNTRY DECIDES
Once the country decision is made and in vd Straten’s hands, in what relates to his new function, he has to write a letter to Holland to postpone the payment of his pension for 6 to 12 months, which is the duration of his contract with Bonaire. The reason is that during this time, vd Straten will prepare the position for another person who has to assume the role as commissioner. The intention is to work on some project that will procure more security for the people of Bonaire, something that vd Straten considers an assured challenge.
UPSET IN THE FORCE
The fact that there is mention of an upset among members of the Bonaire police force with the arrival of vd Straten, is no very comprehensible for the former police commissioner of Aruba. This is because, according to the veteran policeman, he had a good understanding with the Bonaire police union. “It has always been my opinion that you have to care about these things that are very regulated for my colleagues. Then vd Straten will come”, the former commissioner continues to say. “That is an agreement with the union that they said to me 2 months ago. They assured me that they didn’t have a problem with anything”, vd Straten continued to say, reiterating that these issues have to be solved. “Van der Straten will not go work in a place where a colleague is already sitting as police chief”, vd Straten said.
STARTING DATE
The initial date mentioned for the police veteran to start his new position in Bonaire, according to Minister David Dick, is the 1st of January, 2006. But in practice, it seems that this will be a little later. “This is the main point. But everything has to be settled” vd Straten continued to say. He will not base it on a verbal agreement nor on a written one, but on a country decision.
“It is on a letter from the Minister that they will be in full agreement, but for me it has to be a country agreement to delay my pension”, vd Straten said. About the question that if he is asked to extend his permanency in Bonaire after a year, he categorically said no. “I am willing to work between 6 and 12 months in Bonaire. However, do not forget that I am retired. And my heart is in Aruba. I like working in Bonaire, but until now I live very well in Aruba” vd Straten finally said.
Jan van der Straten will serve as High Commissioner for 6 to 12 months
He has an agreement with the Bonaire police union so he doesn’t understand the conflict
Bon Dia
12/22/2005
ORANJESTAD – As long as the country decision is not signed and in his hands, Jan vd Straten does not plan to start his new job in Bonaire as High Commissioner of the island of flamingos. Jan vd Straten said this to Bon Dia Aruba yesterday in an exclusive interview.
He confirmed the Bon Dia Aruba news that he will be the next chief of police of Bonaire and said that while he accepted this job, Aruba remains his home.
REQUEST FOR VD STRATEN
It was 2 to 3 years ago that the Antilles made the first attempt to seek vd Straten to work in Bonaire. “But my contract (in Aruba) was to end in August 15, 2005, so there wasn’t a possibility to go”, vd Straten said to this publication. He will procure to finalize this re-organization in Aruba first. After the invitation from the current Minister of Justice of the Anitlles, David Dick, he accepted the position. It was after two months passed that he spoke to his colleague and current Bonaire police chief Gerold Daantje.
WORKING TOGETHER
Here, they spoke about how they’re going to work together to see how vd Straten can work in Bonaire to prepare the police force in a new way and establish a relationship with Holland. While Daantje shared his opinion about the functioning in Bonaire, he expressed his preference to continue to study IT via a study task of the government of the US. As such, he came to an agreement with Minister Dick to leave Bonaire.
COUNTRY DECIDES
Once the country decision is made and in vd Straten’s hands, in what relates to his new function, he has to write a letter to Holland to postpone the payment of his pension for 6 to 12 months, which is the duration of his contract with Bonaire. The reason is that during this time, vd Straten will prepare the position for another person who has to assume the role as commissioner. The intention is to work on some project that will procure more security for the people of Bonaire, something that vd Straten considers an assured challenge.
UPSET IN THE FORCE
The fact that there is mention of an upset among members of the Bonaire police force with the arrival of vd Straten, is no very comprehensible for the former police commissioner of Aruba. This is because, according to the veteran policeman, he had a good understanding with the Bonaire police union. “It has always been my opinion that you have to care about these things that are very regulated for my colleagues. Then vd Straten will come”, the former commissioner continues to say. “That is an agreement with the union that they said to me 2 months ago. They assured me that they didn’t have a problem with anything”, vd Straten continued to say, reiterating that these issues have to be solved. “Van der Straten will not go work in a place where a colleague is already sitting as police chief”, vd Straten said.
STARTING DATE
The initial date mentioned for the police veteran to start his new position in Bonaire, according to Minister David Dick, is the 1st of January, 2006. But in practice, it seems that this will be a little later. “This is the main point. But everything has to be settled” vd Straten continued to say. He will not base it on a verbal agreement nor on a written one, but on a country decision.
“It is on a letter from the Minister that they will be in full agreement, but for me it has to be a country agreement to delay my pension”, vd Straten said. About the question that if he is asked to extend his permanency in Bonaire after a year, he categorically said no. “I am willing to work between 6 and 12 months in Bonaire. However, do not forget that I am retired. And my heart is in Aruba. I like working in Bonaire, but until now I live very well in Aruba” vd Straten finally said.
12.21.2005
According to American prosecutor
Aruban investigative team is very professional in the gathering of evidence and interrogation
DIARIO Aruba
12/21/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN): After the Aruban delegation met with American Congressman Spencer Bachus and Shelby county prosecutor Robby Owens and David Barber of Jefferson county, Barber said to the American press that he offered Aruba his help to obtain interviews win Natalee Holloway’s classmates.
For this to happen, however, according to the prosecutor, certain international protocols must be taken into account so that the information is legally obtained and is able to be used in court.
Congressman Bachus continues to say that it is Aruba’s intention to continue forging ahead and not close this case, which has 14 investigators working on it.
Prosecutor Owens said that Aruba lacks experience in homicide cases, because there are hardly ever any homicides [in Aruba], but he said that Aruba is very professional in the gathering of evidence and interrogation of suspects.
“I feel better about the investigation, after meeting with them.” This according to Congressman Spencer Bachus, after his meeting with the delegation from Aruba.
Aruban investigative team is very professional in the gathering of evidence and interrogation
DIARIO Aruba
12/21/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN): After the Aruban delegation met with American Congressman Spencer Bachus and Shelby county prosecutor Robby Owens and David Barber of Jefferson county, Barber said to the American press that he offered Aruba his help to obtain interviews win Natalee Holloway’s classmates.
For this to happen, however, according to the prosecutor, certain international protocols must be taken into account so that the information is legally obtained and is able to be used in court.
Congressman Bachus continues to say that it is Aruba’s intention to continue forging ahead and not close this case, which has 14 investigators working on it.
Prosecutor Owens said that Aruba lacks experience in homicide cases, because there are hardly ever any homicides [in Aruba], but he said that Aruba is very professional in the gathering of evidence and interrogation of suspects.
“I feel better about the investigation, after meeting with them.” This according to Congressman Spencer Bachus, after his meeting with the delegation from Aruba.
12.20.2005
According to attorney Schipper and Commissioner Richardson in regards to the case of Natalee Holloway
American Congressman Spencer Bachus is willing to help Aruba
DIARIO Aruba
12/20/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN): As it is known, a delegation from Aruba travelled to Washington to meet with American member of Congress Spencer Bachus and two prosecutors from Alabama to explain to the American Congress, how the investigation of the case of Natalee Holloway has gone so far and what the intention is for the continuation of the investigation in order to arrive at a solution to this case.
Commissioner Dolfi Richardson, who said that the trip was very fruitful, where on behalf of Aruba, he and attorney Schipper succeeded in raising various important points.
According to Richardson, the American member of Congress said that if Aruba needs any help with this investigation, he can request and get it.
DIARIO also conversed with attorney Arlene Schipper, who said that when they arrived in America at around 8 pm Thursday, they met with the consultants they are working with, to prepare for the meeting with Congress, this meeting ending at around 2 am.
Thursday morning at 9, they met with the Congressman Spencer Bachus, along with two prosecutors from Alabama, one of whom is from the same part of Alabama as Beth Twitty. This happened in the well known Capitol Hill in Washington.
The delegation from Aruba explained in detail the manner in which the police force and other investigators in Aruba worked on this case and are working still, to demonstrate that they have not and are not doing a bad job.
According to Schipper the meeting was to last one hour, but it went well and Mr. Bachus and others in the American delegation had so many questions that the meeting lasted 2 hours.
In what has come out in the American press, the Congressman said that he knows how the press works and that there are many things that have come out in the press that he doesn’t believe.
Congressman Bachus also said to the representatives of Aruba that he is willing to help with anything in this case.
The Aruban delegation took the opportunity to speak about the fact that Aruba handed over some time ago a request for ‘Rechtshulp’ (legal advice) from America, and never heard about it again.
This is very important, for example, for the interrogation of Natalee Holloway’s classmates.
Bachus told the Aruban delegation that will procure that the process is undertaken so that the investigative team can find the opportunity to get information out of the students, which may be relevant to this case.
According to Mrs. Schipper, the whole meeting progressed in a pleasant manner and after the meeting, one of the prosecutors gave a press conference, where he expressed that he is convinced that the manner in which the investigation is going in Aruba is very professional.
One of the most important things to come out of the meeting, according to attorney Schipper, is that Aruba and the Twitty/Holloway family have to reconcile, because both parties will benefit from solving this case.
American Congressman Spencer Bachus is willing to help Aruba
DIARIO Aruba
12/20/2005
ORANJESTAD(AAN): As it is known, a delegation from Aruba travelled to Washington to meet with American member of Congress Spencer Bachus and two prosecutors from Alabama to explain to the American Congress, how the investigation of the case of Natalee Holloway has gone so far and what the intention is for the continuation of the investigation in order to arrive at a solution to this case.
Commissioner Dolfi Richardson, who said that the trip was very fruitful, where on behalf of Aruba, he and attorney Schipper succeeded in raising various important points.
According to Richardson, the American member of Congress said that if Aruba needs any help with this investigation, he can request and get it.
DIARIO also conversed with attorney Arlene Schipper, who said that when they arrived in America at around 8 pm Thursday, they met with the consultants they are working with, to prepare for the meeting with Congress, this meeting ending at around 2 am.
Thursday morning at 9, they met with the Congressman Spencer Bachus, along with two prosecutors from Alabama, one of whom is from the same part of Alabama as Beth Twitty. This happened in the well known Capitol Hill in Washington.
The delegation from Aruba explained in detail the manner in which the police force and other investigators in Aruba worked on this case and are working still, to demonstrate that they have not and are not doing a bad job.
According to Schipper the meeting was to last one hour, but it went well and Mr. Bachus and others in the American delegation had so many questions that the meeting lasted 2 hours.
In what has come out in the American press, the Congressman said that he knows how the press works and that there are many things that have come out in the press that he doesn’t believe.
Congressman Bachus also said to the representatives of Aruba that he is willing to help with anything in this case.
The Aruban delegation took the opportunity to speak about the fact that Aruba handed over some time ago a request for ‘Rechtshulp’ (legal advice) from America, and never heard about it again.
This is very important, for example, for the interrogation of Natalee Holloway’s classmates.
Bachus told the Aruban delegation that will procure that the process is undertaken so that the investigative team can find the opportunity to get information out of the students, which may be relevant to this case.
According to Mrs. Schipper, the whole meeting progressed in a pleasant manner and after the meeting, one of the prosecutors gave a press conference, where he expressed that he is convinced that the manner in which the investigation is going in Aruba is very professional.
One of the most important things to come out of the meeting, according to attorney Schipper, is that Aruba and the Twitty/Holloway family have to reconcile, because both parties will benefit from solving this case.
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