OPEN LETTER TO NELSON ODUBER

The Right Honorable Mr. Nelson Oduber

Prime Minister of Aruba

Office of the Prime Minister

L.G. Smith Boulevard 76

Oranjestad, Aruba

Excellency:

It is said that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Historians dispute this assessment, but the belief prevails today that, due to inaction from the top, the Eternal City was ravaged.

I am writing to express my grave concern that history may be repeating itself in Aruba.

I would like to begin this letter with a quotation from an interview that you granted Summit Communications following your second electoral victory in October 2001:

"Tourism is the most important pillar of Aruba�' economy. We want to stress safety. We are a good product as a tourist destination because of our relations with the United States, the Latin American and Caribbean region and the Dutch Kingdom." All these create a perfect combination on a small island with happy people�

This idyllic vision seems to be collapsing owing to the unresolved Natalee Holloway case. AM Digital recently reported that in the October-December quarter, air travel to Aruba declined and cruise ship arrivals plunged, even as Caribbean tourism rose overall. As the perception mounts that Aruba is anything but safe, and that crimes against foreign visitors will not be seen as matters of high importance, tourism is sure to decline more.

It is presumptuous for me to comment on internal Aruban matters, but it is evident that the lack of progress in the search for Natalee has fomented widespread suspicion of Aruba�s good will. More and more Americans believe that the government of Aruba is failing to investigate the case vigorously, and many are convinced that members of your government are conspiring to protect those responsible for her disappearance or death.

I believe that American volunteers will soon begin searching for Natalee off the Aruban shore. It is my understanding that this will be the final such search. If it is unsuccessful, nobody can imagine a limit to the suspicion and animosity that will be engendered.

Soon after Natalee disappeared, you resisted FBI intervention on the belief that the case would be solved in a week. Allowing American authorities to participate fully in the investigation, including rights to interview whom they choose, would go far to convince the American people that Aruba is a sincere partner in the quest for answers in this case.

Excellency, in the name of our two peoples may I implore you to intervene personally? If solving this case is indeed, as you have stated, Aruba�s major goal, then nothing could be more effective than direction from the top. According to some translations, you recently stated that you are �sick and tired� of the case, but surely the good will of the American people, not to mention the ideal of justice itself, merits renewed dedication on your part.

We Americans want the Holloway Twitty family to know the fate of their daughter. This is no more than a basic human right. I ask in the name of the family that you intervene.

And finally, I ask it in the name of Natalee Holloway, a girl who traveled abroad in the belief that the standards of decency and integrity by which she was raised would be honored by those whom she met. Your sincere efforts to prove that Aruba, too, wishes to live up to these ideals would go far to convince the world that this tragedy has an ending.

I beg you to seize the moment. There is little time left, and action is necessary. On December 23, you said that solving the case is "Aruba's number one goal." It appears that your personal leadership is necessary; do not fail your people or mine at this time.

Respectfully,

Richard, Vermont USA