CUBA? COUGH... HOW ABOUT THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN ISLANDS?

By Richard, Aruban Boycott Contributor


Dear Mr. President:

I have seen a news story today in which you ask other nations to commit moral and financial assets to the fostering of a new Cuban government and society.

Doubtless the current regime of Fidel Castro has severe failings, many of which are impeding the well-being of the Cuban people. And doubtless American policy is, and should be, dedicated to promoting improved relations.

But I am confused at an apparent lack of clarity in our policy towards "friends" and "enemies" in the Caribbean. What criteria are used to put a government in one camp or the other?

Should the PRIMARY yardstick to be employed in deciding which government is to be regarded as "friendly" not be that government's treatment of Americans ... who, after all, are the major responsibility of the U.S. government?

If this is acknowledged to be true, then I ask why the Dutch Caribbean islands are not also to be regarded as offenders?

I invite your attention to the following matters:

--In March 1998, Amy Bradley, an American citizen, went missing from a cruise ship that was docking at Curacao. Photographs and other evidence provide strong reason to believe that she may still be alive and in a situation of virtual imprisonment. The search of the Bradley family for information on their daughter has been stymied.

--In May 2005, Natalee Holloway was taken from a bar on the island of Aruba. It is patently clear to those who have followed the case that elements of the Aruban government and law enforcement have engaged in a cover-up, apparently to protect certain local individuals from prosecution. Natalee is still missing. Yet no travel advisory about "friendly" Aruba has been issued, to my knowledge. The family continue to seek answers, and the cover-up continues. Is Aruba to be regarded as "friendly"?

--In December 2006, Joel Gove, yet another American citizen, went missing on the island of Saba. My understanding is that his family are engaged in trying to raise funds to recover his body, as the local government and the Dutch cannot be bothered.

My point in all this being, simply, that "friendship" is not simply a matter of diplomacy.

In my view, these activities show that the Dutch Caribbean islands are our friends in name only. Let us uphold the interests of American citizens ... which, after all, is the primary obligation of our government ... and calculate how many Americans are missing in Cuba.