HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY NATALEE

Today would have been Natalee's 23rd birthday. She would have been in medical school by now, on her way to becoming a doctor.

We are all missing you and thinking of you on this day in 1986 when Beth and Dave became proud parents who named you Natalee Ann.

GOD BLESS NATALEE, and all her family and friends! We haven't forgotten and never will.

MY HERO--BETH HOLLOWAY

Beth--

I have learned from you, Dave Holloway, your entire family, and the loving public, that we, as people, should NEVER give up on what is right and fight for what we believe in.

As a woman and a mother, you have shown and proven to NEVER give up on loved ones, friends, families, even our enemies. We all are here in life for a reason, a purpose. Since May, 2005, you have changed so many people's lives...and personally I will never forget the invisible, yet powerful strength you have given me and to so many others to pursue the dream of helping others who are lost, hurt, despaired, in need...

It has been over four years since Natalee has been gone...but you and Dave have done the greatest thing...spending a lifetime making sure no one forgets. And guess what? You have done your job...

Natalee will NEVER be forgotten.

Dave and Beth: You and your family have been a blessing to me. I now know and am completely aware to live life to the fullest, to be thankful, and to fight. Both of you have shown your strength as parents and as true human beings. Your actions have not only affected me, but to so many others. Thank you both for your inspiration, hope and perseverance.

We all look up to you both, and hope to be just like you.

Natalee would be so proud, and I'm sure she is aware, wherever she may be.

Thank you!

Love always---

MICHELLE

THE KRISTIN FOUNDATION TO REMEMBER NATALEE HOLLOWAY, OTHERS

The Kristen Foundation for missing adults is hosting a remembrance ceremony at Frazier Park tonight for people who have disappeared.

The foundation will lay memorial bricks for missing people who've made national headlines in recent months – Natalee Holloway, a teenager who disappeared in Aruba in May 2005 while on a graduation trip;

Jamie Fraley, a 22-year-old from Gaston County missing since April 2008, and Carla Vicentini, a 26-year-old missing from New Jersey since 2006, according to Joan Petruski, who started the foundation.

Jamie Fraley

Carla Vicentini

The candlelight ceremony will also include a tribute to Nikki McPhatter, who was missing for weeks before her burned body was located in South Carolina.

Nikki McPhatter

The Kristen Foundation offered a reward for information about McPhatter's disappearance shortly before her body was found.

Petruski started The Kristen Foundation in 1999 after Kristen Modafferi, a Charlotte woman who disappeared a decade ago while working and studying in San Francisco. The organization raises money to help families pay for the costs of searching for missing adults.

Kristen Modafferi

CLICK HERE FOR THE KRISTIN FOUNDATION WEBSITE

The Kristen Foundation

2330 Bonnie Butler Way

Charlotte, NC 28270-4415

(704) 996-5066

Help@KristenFoundation.org

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/795005.html

BETH HOLLOWAY DISCUSSES NATALEE AT UNSOLVED CRIMES EXHIBIT

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/05/john_walsh_left_and_beth.html

NATALEE HOLLOWAY TO BE REMEMBERED AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CRIME & PUNISHMENT

I received some correspondence from Beth Holloway yesterday.  She had some great news!  I'll share it with you below:

(Email from Beth):  "Natalee's case is being put on display at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment....Her info. will be placed with 9 other unsolved cases!"

I don't have any other information as to when the exhibit will be on display because I don't see it mentioned at the National Museum of Crime & Punishment's website, but if anyone knows of any further information, please post it or send it to me!  

A great remembrance of Natalee for the month of May!

http://www.crimemuseum.org/

BOYCOTT ARUBA DECLARES MAY AS INTERNATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS MONTH

Boycott Aruba--Justice for Natalee Holloway has declared the month of May "International Crime Victims Month" in dedication to Natalee Holloway who has been missing since May, 2005.

FOUR YEARS

...Nearly 1460 days have passed since Natalee has been gone.  Natalee and her story will not be forgotten and the boycott of Aruba will continue until justice is served.

NATALEE HOLLOWAY MOVIE RE-AIRS TODAY AND TUESDAY

The Lifetime Movie Network plans to re-air it’s movie about the disappearance of Mountain Brook teen Natalee Holloway.

The movie is the most watched ever for the Lifetime Movie Network.

• Monday, April 27 at 10 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 28 at 2 p.m.

If you don’t get the Lifetime Movie Network, click on the link below to watch the movie online.

http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/lmn/natalee-holloway-movie/full-movie/video/natalee-holloway-part-1

http://www.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/article/lifetime_movie_network_re-broadcasts_natalee_holloway_movie/69976/

THOUSANDS SOUND OFF ABOUT THE NATALEE HOLLOWAY MOVIE

By JEN HALE

Lifetime Movie Network’s new film “Natalee Holloway” takes viewers back to Natalee’s final days in Mountain Brook leading up to her senior trip to Aruba - then into what are now believed to be her final hours. 

The movie stars Michael J. Fox’s real life wife Tracy Pollan as Beth Holloway Twitty…a mother desperately searching for her daughter, a process that is still ongoing.  The movie, which originally aired Sunday night, is based on Beth Holloway Twitty’s book, Loving Natalee: A Mother’s Testament of Hope and Faith.

Hundreds of viewers have now posted comments on the Lifetime chat boards, sounding off about the movie…everything from support for Natalee’s family and frustration at how the Aruban government handled the case - to anger about the way the Aruban people and the island have been portrayed.

Birmingham attorney Charlie Ratcliff was born in Aruba but now lives here. He says Natalee’s disappearance is still a difficult topic for folks in Aruba.

“To say it’s been devastating to the island is an understatement. Devastating emotionally. A lot of people are heart broken and horrified one of our guests was missing,“ says Ratcliff.

At the end of the movie, the real Beth Holloway Twitty warns parents about how to prepare a safety plan for a child’s trip abroad - lessons she learned fast the hard way.

Lifetime does plan to post the movie, so folks who missed it can watch it online.

http://www.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/article/hundreds_sound_off_about_new_natalee_holloway_movie/69149/

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

Lifetime Movie Network’s premiere of “Natalee Holloway” Sunday night ranks as the highest rated and most viewed movie in the network’s history.

“Holloway,” based on the novel “Loving Natalee: A Mother’s Testament of Hope and Faith,” scored a 1.8 rating and 3.2 million total viewers among viewers P+2. That bested the second part of “Capture of the Green River Killer,” which scored a 1.5 rating and 2.4 million viewers P+2 in March 2008.

Sunday night’s premiere also was the highest rated telecast among women 18-49 in all of basic cable over the last 12 months, scoring a 2.5 rating and 1 million viewers in the demographic.

In addition to total viewers and women 18-49, the film also set network records among households (3.4 rating, 2.4 million households) and women 25-54 (2.7 rating, 1.1 million viewers).

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/04/natalee_holloway_draws_lifetim.php

DID THE NATALEE HOLLOWAY MOVIE HELP THE BOYCOTT?

My Rating:  

By Michelle

Overall, I think that the Natalee Holloway movie was well done. Tracy Pollan played a very good Beth Holloway in her dire moments of sadness; however, Pollan could have played up the raging anger Beth suffered by the blatant police cover up and the government's plan to protect Joran and the Van der Sloot family.

I enjoyed the beginning sequence during the infamous secret recorded car conversation between Joran and Patrick van der Eem. It was a great use of foreshadowing of what was to unfold.  

Omissions? 

After Beth and Jug landed in Aruba and found Joran's house and his father, what happened to the running back and forth between casinos in order to buy Joran time to get back to his house?  

Why wasn't Joran nervous, disheveled and sweaty when he pulled up to the house during the initial confrontation like Beth described in her book?  

Why did he not act defensive while pounding his chest screaming, "What do you want me to do about it?!"    

And what about Paulus Van der Sloot?  

No mention of his arrest, his "pool side chat" with the boys telling them "no body, no case", his "sweaty" meeting with Beth during the first week, his lawsuits against the police for arresting him, his "best friend" in the police department, and the obvious lies used to cover up where Joran was that night and the next morning.

The actor who played Joran didn't come through as evil as Joran really is.  All the features of his psychological demeanor were left out of Joran's character.  Instead the actor portrayed Joran as this charming spoiled brat like someone out of "Gossip Girl", who has a habit for preying and drugging girls.  But oops..."after like 20 times" of doing this (Joran's exact admission on TV), "something bad happened", and he just got scared and lied.  

Joran's character did not display the diabolical, sociopathic, and pathological liar that he is in real life.  The only time he appeared cold and sinister were in the secretly recorded car scenes.

I was also disappointed in the complete absence of the "catch and release" of the other characters such as Steve Croes, Geoffrey Van Comvoirt, Guido Wever, and Lorenzo Zedan-Arambatzis.  These omitted facts add to the pain that Beth and Dave had to endure while trying to find the truth of what happened to Natalee and that could have helped the strength of the film.

However, I do think the movie's perception of how Beth was treated by an angry Aruban mob with signs saying "Get Out", while screaming "Go Home!" was great. This, coupled with the police's lack of investigation has done and will continue to do harm to Aruba's already bad reputation and tourism crisis.

With that said, I think this movie did everything possible to shed light on this case while destroying Aruba at the same time.

Intentional or not?  We'll never know!  But who's complaining?

End Note:

One thing that I found somewhat creepy was the first time that the Mountain Brook kids went to Carlos-n-Charlies, a "man" was bumping into the girls and Natalee's stepbrother stepped in to push him away.  In real life it is purported to have been Geoffrey van Comvoirt. 

However, if you have a copy of the movie, watch this "man" because he looks exactly like Paulus Van der Sloot.

REVIEWER: "NATALEE HOLLOWAY MOVIE SLOPPY AND UNEVEN"

Natalee Holloway' a disappointing TV movie

Posted by Alec Harvey -- The Birmingham News April 17, 2009 1:34 PM

Maybe it's because we lived through it, with wall-to-wall media coverage after Natalee Holloway disappeared in Aruba in 2005.

Maybe it's because there still are no definitive answers as to what happened to the Mountain Brook teen who was on her senior year trip.

Maybe it's just because this Lifetime TV movie was hastily put together.

Whatever the reason, "Natalee Holloway," which premieres at 7 p.m. April 19 on Lifetime Movie Network, is sloppy and uneven, a forgettable look at the tragedy that consumed the nation's attention for months.

Based on "Loving Natalee," the book by Natalee's mother, Beth, "Natalee Holloway" stars Tracy Pollan as Beth and newcomer Amy Gumenick in the title role. Although this is a vehicle for Pollan, it's the youngster who lends the film its most interesting moments.

The main culprit here is Teena Booth's clunky script, part over-the-top movie-of-the-week melodrama and part mystery. The problem is that there really is no mystery - we all know most everything that took place in Aruba, from the body shots at Carlos 'n Charlie's to Natalee jumping in the car with Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers to Beth Holloway's dogged determination to find her daughter in Aruba.

Since the details are well known, Booth tries to mine interest elsewhere, and the dramatic moments come across as cheesy and manipulative.

For instance, a chaperone for the Mountain Brook High School trip seems to set the travelers up for disaster from the beginning.

"We won't be doing headcounts or bed checks," he says to the parents before the trip. "We're there for emergencies and to do a little gambling in the casinos." This puts much more of the blame for Natalee's disappearance on the chaperone than was the case in real life.

Or Beth's admonishment to Natalee right before her senior prom: "You have to be careful around boys and alcohol," she says. "They're liable to take advantage." Yes, Beth Holloway probably taught that lesson to her daughter, but in such an un-subtle, foreshadowing way? Doubtful.

Or the moment when Beth discovered Natalee's cell phone in her backpack: "It didn't work here, did it?," she says immediately, before even turning it on. "Her phone didn't have international calling. I never, I never, I should've, oh, my God. Oh, my God." Would the lack of international calling actually have been Holloway's first thought?

Pollan does look and sound a little like Beth Holloway, but Holloway through the years has come across much more composed, thoughtful and pragmatic than the melodramatic character Pollan creates here. A moment where Holloway flings herself in front of a cross on a hillside in Aruba doesn't help matters. It's a grand, tearful Lifetime TV movie moment, but it's contrived and over-acted.

Gumenick, on the other hand, paints a vivid and likeable portrait of the young Holloway, a bright, focused doctor-to-be who drank too much on a trip with her friends and got herself into a bad situation. Oddly, although he certainly is the villain here, Joran van der Sloot comes off looking not like the instigator of the entire evening, but a guy who took advantage when a drunk Natalee began coming on to him.

In addition to Beth, Natalee and Joran, Joran's cohorts Deepack and Satish Kalpoe are characters, as well as Jug Twitty (Beth's husband at the time) and Dave Holloway (Natalee's father). The rest, including Natalee's friends, seem to be composites, not real people.

It's tough to be objective about a movie that hits so close to home. As soon as one of Natalee's friends refers to her going to "U of A," a term we've never heard used when referring to Alabama, you wonder how credible the rest of it might be.

South Africa locations double as both Alabama and Aruba, so there's no real sense of place, other than the beach in Aruba, which looks real enough.

"Natalee Holloway" is sure to have interest, particularly in her hometown. We only wish that her tragic story had received a little classier and more thoughtful attention.

http://blog.al.com/aharvey/2009/04/natalee_holloway_a_disappointi.html

DON'T FORGET--THE NATALEE HOLLOWAY MOVIE, APRIL 19, 2009

Premieres Sunday, April 19 at 8 pm EST, airing on LMN

Teenager Natalee Holloway vanished in 2005 while visiting Aruba on a senior class trip. In a passionate and relentless effort to discover the truth behind her daughter’s disappearance, Beth Holloway captured the nation’s attention by working tirelessly to solve the mystery that shattered her family’s life.

Today, Holloway continues to speak publicly about the potential dangers of international travel. Her resolve and unwavering strength are at the center of this emotional story that takes viewers behind the headlines and into the heart of an extraordinary woman. The movie, about a mother's search for truth and justice, is based on the book "Loving Natalee: A Mother's Testament of Hope and Faith" by Beth Holloway.

INTERVIEW WITH BETH HOLLOWAY

What prompted you to write the book “Loving Natalee: A Mother’s Testament of Hope and Faith”?

The writing of the book actually evolved over a period of time. Shortly after this happened to Natalee, I made a pledge that I would share her story with every high school I could, because I hoped that no other family would have to endure the challenges that we faced during our first few weeks in Aruba. I lived in Aruba for about four months while I was searching for her, and during the fifth month, I thought it was time for me to make good on my pledge as Natalee’s case was now in the hands of John Kelly, attorney at law. I began traveling and, over the course of two years, presented personal safety messages to over 20,000 high school and college students in 22 states. During this time I thought, “How could I reach more travelers?” and I started thinking about writing a book.

How did this movie come to be?

It’s a direct result of the book. We started talking about it with Lifetime, and at first I wasn’t sure if I could take the next step. But then I had the privilege and opportunity to fly to Los Angeles and to sit down with an incredible creative staff from Sony and Lifetime. I knew instantly that this was the next step and the right thing to do.

What was it like being on set?

I was nervous and overwhelmed at first. Even the equipment and the logistics were fascinating to me. I had my camera and took pictures whenever I could. It was really an honor to be there.

Has it been emotional to replay these events?

I don’t think that anything could compare with the first four months of what we endured while searching for Natalee in Aruba. The movie is something I view as an accomplishment, because we are able to help shed light on a lot of things that I wrote about in my book.

What is it like having Tracy Pollan play you?

It’s an honor. I think she’s a genuine, sincere, real person. There could not have been a better choice.

In the movie, we watch Beth change and grow into an activist as she searches for her daughter and for the truth about what happened. Tell us about that experience.

There seems to be a common thread among all of us who have experienced a devastating or traumatic event, and that is the wanting to reach out to others — whether it’s through philanthropic events or in my case, taking Natalee’s story podium to podium, high school to high school and college to college. You want to make a difference and ensure that no other family will have to endure the same tragedy.

What do you really think happened to Natalee?

We have tried to be so careful not to speculate over the last four years. We always go back to the known facts, and the known facts are that we have indentified the three individuals who were last seen with Natalee alive. As she was leaving Carlos and Charlie’s, we know the condition that Natalee was in. And when the suspects took her from the establishment, we have 22 different versions that they have given to the police to explain what they did with her that night. We know the sexual conduct they engaged in with her in the car as she was semiconscious, falling asleep and waking up. So we know it doesn’t look good, the things that were transpiring. Other than this, we have no further information.

You are very involved in helping others stay safe while traveling abroad. As a public speaker, what words of guidance do you give your audiences?

I remind them about the importance of their personal safety and that personal safety boils down to making a plan. Whether that plan is investigating the infrastructure of a country that you will be visiting, securing police numbers and embassy contacts, or understanding what the United States Embassy can and cannot provide for tourists who find themselves in a crisis outside our borders, it’s important to be prepared. I also remind my audiences that a lot of these occurrences transpire in the early morning hours. I cannot tell you the exhausted list of families that I have been working with whose loved one was last seen leaving an establishment at 12:30 am, 1 am or 1:30 am.

It’s the same scenario time after time, and it’s never a good outcome. It sounds so simple and something you’d even tell an elementary child — never go anywhere with strangers, never leave a place alone, and have a time and place to meet with friends before you leave the establishment.

What would you like audiences to take away from this movie?

I think the overall message is the message of hope, the hope for justice and the hope of making a difference in other people’s lives. I think what this movie will do after all is said and done is give my definition of hope — which is the inexplicable empowerment that enables us to move successfully from challenge to resolution with courage. It’s more than just wishful thinking; it’s the guarantee that there’s light at the end of whatever tunnel we’re trying to find our way through. My first phase was a fantasy phase of hope, and I thought I was coming to Aruba and taking Natalee home alive. When I left home, I told my son I’d return with her in a couple of days. As you move through a crisis and your hope is shattered, you have to find a new hope to carry you through. If I had stayed in my fantasy hope for too long, I could have never have fought so hard for Natalee’s life to make a difference.

Another message is the importance of justice. I was going to bring Natalee home whether she was alive or not. I was going to have justice and put her perpetrators behind bars. Well, none of that happened, and I can only hope that it does one day, but if it doesn’t, I still have a real hope — and real hope has actions behind it.

And my real hope is that, when I present to colleges, churches, civic groups and attorney generals, I am making a difference. It’s tangible for me, and that is why I keep going.

http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/movies/natalee-holloway

CALLING ALL MEDIA--A RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS SARFA ARTICLE

These comments and questions were posed by Richard, Aruban Boycott Member:

Let's hope the media get hold of that story ... those poor Arubans whining because Dave Holloway didn't pay for their lunch. I really think that it should get publicity, because if they move to restrict Golba's activities, this will show up how petty they are.

(I don't have any hope for the pond search, but it's worth doing if only to eliminate a possibility.)

One thing that worries me ... the article ends by saying it isn't known where Golba is now searching on the island. How can that be, if ALE is dogging his every footstep, as we were told they were?

Are they going to say: "Okay, you broke the rules ... NO MORE SEARCHES"? That would make perfect sense; try to discredit the Americans, thereby glossing over the true issue.

(I also wonder why the media aren't raising the question I keep posing: Why should the search for a missing American in Aruba be OUR responsibility? But we know why...)

ECONOMICS 101: "THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH"

Sounds like Search and Rescue Aruba (SARFA) didn't pay attention during their economics class..."there is no such thing as a free lunch." I guess they were bitter about Dave Holloway paying for Fred Golba's lunch...and not giving them anything. (See article below)

And why should he? The only reason SARFA is involved is to "to maintain the image of Aruba towards the outside world. The rescue organization wanted to prevent that the media would publish that they had not participated with the searches for the American teenager."

So, it isn't about finding Natalee. It's about restoring their reputation. GO FIGURE. This article is not only transparent in their actions by helping Fred Golba, but it also shows their selfishness and ultimate bitterness towards the whole situation.

BITE THE BULLET PEOPLE! Get with the program and DO THE RIGHT THING! Quit the bitching and moaning! It only makes you look like insensitive bastards!

Search for Holloway continues without help of Sarfa

ORANJESTAD — Fred Golba, who was hired by Dave Holloway to search the island for his missing daughter Natalee, is still on the island. After the search had produced nothing new, he initially was scheduled to leave on Tuesday, but postponed his departure. The agreement with the authorities was that Golba would perform his search, amongst others, in the so-called Dam of Monserat until Tuesday, but suspect Joran van der Sloot was seen by a witness during the night that Natalee disappeared.


This dam is originally known as Tanki Real by the surrounding habitants. Golba searched the environment with a tracker dog and also used water pumps. These pumps as well as the generators were supplied by the rescue organization Search & Rescue Aruba (Sarfa).

However, Sarfa was not satisfied with the cooperation. The volunteers arranged for the material, but had to arrange for fuel, says a co-worker. Moreover, Golba enjoyed lunch at the expense of Dave Holloway, while not a penny was spent by Dave Holloway on the Sarfa-people as well as other volunteers.

Sarfa says they also participated in the search to maintain the image of Aruba towards the outside world. The rescue organization wanted to prevent that the media would publish that they had not participated with the searches for the American teenager.


It is unknown where Golba is now searching on the island.

MAILBAG TIME! RESPONSE FROM THE HAGUE, J.H. GERRITSEN

Read below the correspondence between Aruban Boycott Member, Richard (our God to letter writing!) and the Netherlands State Secretary for Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations.

The Hon. Ank Bijleveld-Schouten
State Secretary for Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations
Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninksrijkrelaties
Postbus 20011
2500 EA Den Haag
The Netherlands


Dear Madam Secretary:

In a recent news article you were quoted as saying that the Netherlands has done "everything possible" in the case of Natalee Holloway, missing in Aruba since May 2005.


As an American concerned about this tragedy, I find this statement frankly astonishing. I therefore wish to submit for your consideration some additional measures that the Netherlands could undertake, particularly since, I understand, Aruba has handed over to it jurisdiction in this case:


1. Help provide funding for the search offshore Aruba. I have never understood why the financial burden for this mission should be the responsibility of the family and of American supporters and volunteers. Texas Equusearch, as you are aware, has carried out efforts in this regard. Before funding was exhausted, it had identified a number of sites of particular interest. Since the initial search was made possible by American generosity, perhaps the Dutch government could assist with the investigation of an obvious crime that took place in Aruba.


2. Refer to the Dutch body responsible for legal propriety the behavior of Paulus van der Sloot, who continues to work for the Aruban government despite having provided contradictory explanations for his statements and behavior at the time of Natalee's disappearance. As you are aware, the Aruban government itself overturned his request for additional "damages" following his arrest on these grounds. One would think that this prima facie impropriety would suffice for disbarment; while apparently it does not on Aruba, the Dutch bar may take an interest.


3. Investigate the activities of Jan van der Straaten, chief of police on Aruba at the time of Natalee's disappearance and a known friend of Paulus van der Sloot. It was van der Straaten who said he knew that Natalee was dead "because I've seen the evidence and you haven't"; to my understanding, none of this evidence has been produced. That alone casts suspicion on his statement. Any full-scale investigation of this tragedy must include the sworn testimony of van der Straaten; it is inconceivable that no such testimony has yet been demanded.


4. Natalee's father, Mr. Dave Holloway, said in his book "Aruba" that narcotics detective Dennis Jacobs (after asking "How much money have you got?") warned him that drugging of drinks at Carlos 'n' Charlies was known to occur. One presumes that Aruba, where American tourism at the time accounted for 80 percent of the economy, would have some interest in protecting foreign visitors. Yet apparently this situation was tolerated. Perhaps the Netherlands might investigate this, as well as why a narcotics detective was assigned to a missing-person case.


5. The testimony that various persons in the Netherlands have already provided might be reviewed. In one case, a person tied to the main suspect, Joran van der Sloot, was said to be unable to cause harm to her because he was homosexual. The logic of this statement is elusive.


6. Aruba has said that it has given jurisdiction over this case to the Netherlands. That being so, perhaps as a gesture of good will, attorneys for Natalee's family might be allowed to inspect the Aruban police files. I believe that such access now is allowed only if the case is closed.


7. A review of security tapes from the casino where Natalee was seen in the company of Joran van der Sloot would be in order. It seems that parts of those tapes were made public over a period of time, but the full tapes apparently have not been released. In one shot, a person with a strong resemblance to Paulus van der Sloot appears to be addressing Natalee. Aruba has said that that person was an (unnamed) cook on the island, but the visual identification of that figure with van der Sloot is persuasive. Certainly the Netherlands could resolve this question.


8. The family previously announced a reward for information leading to a solution of this case. Perhaps the Netherlands could contribute to such a reward and help publicize it.


I also wish to remind you of the case of Amy Bradley, an American who in March 1998 vanished from a cruise ship as it was docking in Curacao. The previous day, her ship had stopped in Aruba and certain crew members were urging her to go with them to Carlos 'n' Charlies, the same bar from which Natalee vanished. It is not known whether common factors or persons were involved in the two cases, but photographs, sightings, and other evidence strongly suggests that Amy remains alive, in a situation of duress. Meanwhile, Curacao seems as indifferent to the family's plight as is Aruba towards Natalee.


Should you be interested, I will gladly suggest many more ways in which the Netherlands could act. I send these few merely to show that your statement that the Netherlands has "done everything possible" is anything but accurate. As I write this letter, a news story says that Dutch scientists are testing a pill that erases painful memories. No such pill exists for the families of Natalee Holloway or Amy Bradley, nor does any pill exist that, in the absence of new initiatives, will convince Americans that the Dutch government is devoted to uncovering the truth and prosecuting the guilty in these cases.


Respectfully,

(Richard)


cc: Royal Netherlands Embassy to the United States, Washington, D.C.

Dear (Richard),

Thank you for your letter of February 16th 2009 concerning the disappearance of Natalee Holloway with suggestions for further investigation.


Within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba is an autonomous country and is responsible for justice affairs in Aruba. The Netherlands provide assistance whenever requested by the Aruban authorities. I am of the opinion that the Netherlands have provided in this case all possible assistance. For example the case has been extensively reviewed by a joint Dutch-Aruban police team. Unfortunately the case has, so far, not been solved. However, investigations are still ongoing.

THE STATE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND KINGDOM RELATIONS,
on her behalf,
The director for Kingdom relations,
/s/ J. H. Gerritsen

Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations
The Hague, The Netherlands

BETH HOLLOWAY SPEAKS AT DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Kaitlyn Tucker
Staff Writer

Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009

There were few dry eyes in the Bologna Performing Arts Center Tuesday by the time Beth Holloway concluded her presentation.




Holloway came to Delta State University to speak to college students, high school juniors and seniors, as well as parents, about travel safety.

Her story is a familiar one to most in the audience.

On May 30, 2005, her daughter, Natalee, went missing during a graduation trip to Aruba. “She didn’t get to go to college like she planned,” said Holloway. “She didn’t get to do any of the things she’d planned. She was kidnapped, raped and murdered on the last night of her vacation.”

Natalee’s friends reported the 18-year-old missing after she did not return to their hotel or show up to the airport on their last day in Aruba.

“We discussed certain safety issues before she left,” Holloway remembered. “I told her to watch out for herself at the night clubs they’d be going to. Four days later, my cell phone rang. “It was a number I didn’t recognize,” continued Holloway. “Her friends had called to say that no one had seen her.

“I had to find out what happened.”

Holloway flew to Aruba and launched a search for her missing daughter. She arrived at the same hotel where Natalee and her high school friends had stayed. “We found her clothes packed neatly, her passport, her cell phone,” said Holloway. “She was all set to come home.”

For the next week, Holloway searched for her daughter without eating, sleeping or bathing.

After a whirlwind week of putting up fliers, searching through brothels and crack houses and trying to discover what had happened to Natalee, Holloway was dealt a blow.

“On the fourth morning, we got back to the hotel in the wee hours of the morning,” said Holloway. “There was a knock on our door. It was one of the hotel employees telling us the security tapes were ready.”

Holloway entered a room lined with Aruban police officers and sat down to watch the tapes from the hotel lobby from the night Natalee disappeared. Holloway and the investigators had been told that Juran Van der Sloot and two of his friends dropped Natalee off at the hotel.

Natalee never walked through the door.

“After being numb for days, there was pain,” Holloway said.

Holloway had known 17-year-old Van der Sloot was one of the last people to see Natalee. She had confronted him early on in the investigation.

“He bought drinks for her,” Holloway said. “He graphically described the sexual acts he did with her as she fell asleep and woke back up. He described Natalee getting out of the car, stumbling and bumping her head going in to the hotel.”

Nearly three years later, Van der Sloot confessed to the crimes while in a taxicab. A Dutch crime reporter named Peter De Vries had a hidden camera set up in the vehicle and the confession was caught on tape.

“He said that she had a seizure,” said Holloway. “He said that he didn’t know what to do and wasn’t sure if she was alive or not. “He arranged someone to take her body out to sea,” Holloway continued. “I believe a date rape drug was used and Natalee overdosed.

“Aruban authorities will not take action against (Van der Sloot), a judge’s son.”

Holloway’s own experiences have lead her to teach travel safety and education to young people across 25 states. “I think it’s the best way to remember Natalee,” she said. “The best thing I can ask is that you initiate a full circle safety plan.

“You are the only one who can save yourself,” continued Holloway. “Thoroughly prepare before you leave. Get educated about where you’re going.”

Holloway suggested learning basic laws of any country you’re visiting, as well as locations and phone numbers for the American Consulate and police precincts. “Activate international calling,” said Holloway, remembering Natalee’s cell phone laying in her hotel room. She had left it because she did not have international calling.

“Never tell anyone what day you’re leaving,” continued Holloway. “The entire island knew it was Mountain Brook High School’s last night.”

Holloway noted that in some tourist locations, like Aruba, visitors are likely to get taken advantage of on their last day. “If they know when you leave, they know you have a plane to catch and will be less likely to file a report,” explained Holloway.

“No matter what, personal safety is up to you,” Holloway continued. “Create a plan and take it full circle.”

The evening ended with a video tribute to Natalee.

http://www.bolivarcom.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=F7564D1C-19B9-E2E2-67A38D7B28954FA8

JOHN Q. KELLY ON HANS MOS--"NOTHING BUT DEAFENING SILENCE"

JOHN Q. KELLY--WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY

John Q. Kelly wants action. In a letter to Aruban Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos, Kelly calls for the arrest of Joran van der Sloot, his father, Paulus, and the Kalpoe brothers.

ARUBA'S RESPONSE TO KELLY'S LETTER?

KELLY: Nothing but deafening silence of Aruba...no I haven't heard from him (Hans Mos).

VAN SUSTEREN: This is the story. Either he has gone on vacation...or he is incompetent, or he is corrupt...He does not want to see it. They do not want to solve this or make any attempt to either prove this or disproved this.

KELLY: I think incompetent would almost be kind. There are sinister things going on.


KELLY:...He is just ignoring the whole issue, and it is a shame. And, quite frankly, we are not going away...Beth and Dave or any parent out there watching, to just think that if their child was missing, there was a one in one in a million chance that they could still be alive somewhere. And, believe me, there is no evidence to the contrary that Natalee Holloway is not possibly alive somewhere, to think for one second these parents would let go of this is just sorely mistaken.

HOLLAND'S INDIFFERENCE?

VAN SUSTEREN: But this is what I don't get-what is Holland's problem? Holland has responsibility in this too. And Holland is just sitting up there I don't know how many thousands of miles away from Aruba looking the other way, refusing anyone just to look at this information.

TRUE OR FALSE?

VAN SUSTEREN: ...We got an e-mail from someone, and I do not know if it is true or not, but I posted it on gretawire.com, that Joran was seen last night at a casino in Manila.


MICHELLE SAYS SO: I found this comment on www.nowpublic.com today: "Joran is hiding in Manila. I saw him last night playing poker at the Hyatt casino in Manila. He's going by the name Murphy."

(http://my.nowpublic.com/world/thailand-wants-van-der-sloot-transcript)

Watch Video:

PROSECUTOR HANS MOS "MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING"!

Greta weighs in on this "new witness" information from last night's show. Jossy Mansur of Diario newspaper thinks that the prosecutor is doing NOTHING to investigate new leads or this witness. He said "they are indifferent to this case...people of Aruba are not interested in this case."

"TIPS RENEW HOPES OF SOLVING CASE?" WHATEVER...

As many of you know, I have been actively reporting on Natalee's case from day one, and most of you have been following this case just as closely if not closer than me.

Do you know how many of these "new reports" that will "solve the case" have surfaced over the last three years? Every time something new is reported, or someone comes forward, nothing happens.

Do I think they ever will conclude Natalee's case with the justice she deserves? Probably not. I just don't take these reports of "solving the case" seriously anymore. We've already solved the case. We know what happened. It's just a matter of putting the right people in prison.

Last year after Joran Van der Sloot confessed under hidden surveillance that he deposed of Natalee's body in the ocean, the Dutch prosecutor in Aruba, Hans Mos did NOTHING.

His logic?

Since Joran had lied so many times in the past, how could he know he was telling the truth now? Therefore, he never pursued any of the new information, nor did he bring anything to the Judges in Aruba.

What was Joran's defense after spilling the beans? He was lying because he was high on "pot". That boy has more lies than Pinocchio.

Even Natalee's father Dave Holloway stated, "As far as Aruba’s concerned, I doubt very seriously if they are going to do anything. It seems like every time you try to give them some information it’s discounted by the judges who are over this case." (http://www.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/article/dutch_expose_reveals_new_information_into_natalee_holloways_disappearance/46176/)

It was recently reported that Hans Mos has decided to "close" Natalee's case at the end of the year. To the denial and dismay of the Aruban Tourism Authority, their economy and tourism has greatly suffered since this debacle of justice. The "powers that be" want this case, Beth Holloway, and the name Natalee Holloway to go away. Sorry. I think Aruba's reputation will forever be tarnished. There are millions out there that will not forget what happened to Natalee.

Incidentally, none of these reports and witnesses are "new" evidence and Hans Mos has pubicly dismissed them in the past. So why is he changing his tune now? Could it be that he has some political pressure on him? Or is this just another opportunity for him to look like he's doing something?

With the whacked-out legal system in Aruba, Joran has a better chance of seeing prison after his sex trafficking scandal in Thailand.

Read the "new hopes" here. I'm not holding my breath:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/11/18/grace.coldcase.holloway/index.html?eref=rss_crime

RENEE GIELEN: "WHY HASN'T THE FAMILY BEEN INVESTIGATED?"

ORANJESTAD – With her documentary “Natalee. The Unrevealed Timelines’ which premiered on Telearuba on Saturday, the movie maker Renee Gielen wanted to once more emphasize the reputed, ‘dubious’ role the Holloway family played in the disappearance of Natalee. Various speakers repeat what has already had a lot of attention in the media: why hasn’t the family been investigated? Did the FBI thwart the investigation? Was there political pressure put on the Kingdom?

One of the former head of the Holloway investigation, Gerold Dompig, has answered all these questions to Gielen, just as he did previously in front of the Dutch tv program ‘Netwerk’ and ‘EenVandaag’. The film maker had already heard it when she spoke to him last year. After Dompig was sidetracked by the FBI, was threatened by the FBI and was put under pressure by the American consul on Curaçao, he revealed to every journalist which asked him that there were obscure interests at stake.

According to him the highest ranks saw to it that the investigation did not focus on the Holloway family themselves. This was possible due to the fact that the Holloway family counted the American vice-president Dick Cheney as part of their circle of friends, says Dompig in the documentary. He was responsible for having set the case rolling. That is why also the American minister of Foreign Affairs Condoleeza Rice had contact with the Dutch government. That is why expensive F-16 planes were sent to Aruba to scan the island. This is all brought forward by Gielen in her movie in which she shows how the Justice department never actually gave a clear reaction to the public.

“The approach of this documentary is not sensational and is not meant to deal with Joran van der Sloot”, says the Curacaoan film maker right before the premier. “I focus on aspects of the case which others left lying.” She traveled to the US, to the state of Alabama where the Holloway family come from. She did not achieve however, with the exception of Natalee’s father Dave, to come into contact with her friends. Dompig experienced the same thing when he wanted to question them, but this is being prevented on a diplomatic level, Gielen reveals. She did manage to interview a well-known American dj in the US which had his doubts from the beginning about the American interference in the case. “And why a boycott against the whole country (Aruba), while there are cases in the US where Danish people and Germans have disappeared”, he points out.

Except for Dompig, Gielen also talked to various people on Aruba about the case. Apparently an ambulance plane had arrived on Aruba (too) shortly after the disappearance of the girl to fly her to the US once found, an account which Gielen had already revealed to the media. The plane had stood on standby on the airport for days, without having informed the Aruban authorities. Why was it better to keep this from the Aruban authorities? There’s also the question as to why the family left the police in uncertainty about a possible golden tip which mother Beth received shortly after the disappearance? A lot of questions which also Gielen doesn’t have the answers to in the documentary, but which remain fascinating.

http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_49115.php

ORANJESTAD – Renown scientists believe that the ‘tv-confession’ by Joran van der Sloot (21) about his involvement in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway is reliable. Their statement was made after crime reporter Peter R. De Vries requested to review the conversations between Van der Sloot and infiltrator Patrick van der Eem. The scholars don’t believe that Joran lied, which he claimed he did after the results of the undercover action. Also concerning the reputed trafficking in women, Van der Sloot reported that it was bluff.

According to professor of psychology Harald Merkelback, Joran felt ‘at ease’ in the car. “His story against Van der Eem made a very authentic impression. A crucial moment lies in the movements he makes when he says that Natalee started trembling. You don’t act like that when a story is fabricated.” The scientists Corine de Ruiter (forensic psychology) and Peter van Koppen (legal psychology) also believe that the story doesn’t come over rehearsed.

In yesterday’s broadcast by De Vries, a friend of the suspect by the name of Celes said that Van der Sloot made insinuations about getting rid of a body and hinted that his father knew more about the case. “Only one person knows exactly what happened. He made Joran always lie and twist things around”. The friend had given an detailed testimony at the Dutch investigation bureau.

Public Prosecution

The Public Prosecutor in the Netherlands will not be taking any steps yet after the broadcast. “If there’s a case of a criminal offence, then further investigation has to be done”, says a spokesperson of the National Prosecutor’s Office. “Punishable acts are not determined on the basis of a television broadcast.”

The Public Prosecution on Aruba is still conferring about a possible reaction, says spokesperson Ann Angela. Also about whether the ‘new witness’ plays a role in the investigation. Only in December will they decide whether or not action will be taken against Van der Sloot. His testimonies on tv seem to be insufficient material for the Justice Department to prosecute him.

Whether the Public Prosecution will also investigate possible criminal practices of the 21 year old Van der Sloot is left in the middle. It is possible that the Thai authorities will act as according to criminal reporter De Vries, while in the Thai capital Bangkok Van der Sloot proposed to pay Thai women to go to the Netherlands to work for the sex industry. It did not result in real business. In the new undercover action Van der Sloot did accept a downpayment of 1000 euros for the preparations of this ‘human trafficking’, something which could be punishable.

Fugitive

Joran van der Sloot did not wait for the Thai authorities. According to the Dutch media he’s on the run after he was exposed as a trafficker of women on Sunday. Shortly before the broadcast yesterday of De Vries’ program he disappeared without a trace. The Thai justice department has woken up following the commotion surrounding the case and has asked the Dutch embassy for video material.

“They want the broadcast translated, so that the Justice Department in Thailand can view it from a criminal point of view”, decalred De Vries today. “They have told me that they will come into action as the approach to trafficking of women is very important.” The Thai embassy wasn’t available for comments today.

Joran van der Sloot has threatened to send a hired killer from Thailand to Peter R. de Vries if the criminal reporter doesn’t stop trailing him or approaching Van der Sloots’ friends or family. “If it really is bullshit again, I will send someone for him”, wrote Van der Sloot this week in an msn-message.

According to a witness, Joran was at a party in Bangkok last Friday evening, but didn’t return home after that. Another man claims to have seen him on an inland flight to the island of Koh Samui off the Thai coast. Van der Sloot’s lawyer, Bert de Rooij, reported that the talks with his client are strenuous.

Millions of viewers

According to the figures by the Nederlandse Stichting KijkOnderzoek (Dutch viewers research foundation) De Vries’ broadcast last night attracted almost 3.5 million viewers. That’s half of the number of viewers which followed Van der Sloot’s confession at the beginning of the year in a broadcast about Natalee Holloway. The broadcast wasn’t aired on Aruba or in the Netherlands Antilles.

http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_49114.php

HANS MOS TO CLOSE NATALEE HOLLOWAY CASE FOR GOOD

Hans Mos--The Worst Prosecutor in the World

An undisclosed source close to Dave Holloway announced this information in an email:

Dutch Prosecutor Hans Mos has said:

1 - The recent Joran/Thailand sex trafficking story is unrelated to the Natalee case so there is nothing relevant to Natalee's case.

2 - The new statements by Joran's girlfriend: Mos says this does not add enough new info or anything he can use against Joran, so he is dismissing her statement.

3 - Mos plans to finally close Natalee case in December (for good this time).

The only reason it remained open this year was De Vries' tape that went global media which forced him to open it - but since then he sees no valid reasons to keep it open so he will close it in December.


PLEASE NOTE MR. MOS--There is NO statute of limitations for MURDER. You may "close" this case, but it will never be closed to the American public and all those who support the Holloway family who want justice for Natalee and that she be found and returned home to her family.