Natalee Holloway: Aruban PM Calls Boycott Irresponsible

I agree.

"This is a preposterous and irresponsible act," Oduber said Tuesday night after attending a closed session with members of Parliament.

Aruban officials have appealed to the U.S. State Department for help against a tourist boycott of the Dutch Caribbean island prompted by complaints that authorities mishandled the investigation into the disappearance of an American teenager.

Tourism Minister Edison Briesen said Wednesday that it's too early to determine whether a call by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley to boycott the island over the handling of the Natalee Holloway case has led to any cancellations.

It'll be interesting to see how the State Department responds. My guess is they'll have to spend Thanksgiving at the children's table to make sure everyone gets their drumstick and plays nice.

That will give Riley an out, if he's smart he already has it lined up. Someone at State, perhaps even Condi, will express sincere regrets to the family for this terrible tragedy. They may even have a little joint task force to look into it - read stretch it out.

But all that depends on how much cash MB and a few significant contributors have helped Sen. Shelby ET AL over the years. Who says money can't buy you love?

Comments

[ustt]

Well isn't that a case of the pot calling the kettle black!!!!!!!!!!

And why shouldn't Aruba be whinning to their "leaders", the Hague, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[Only One]

Hi Dan,I think that Bob Riley is not doing the correct way to solve the case.You can't come and boycott a whole island only because miss.Beth want it like that.Sorry but did is just my opinion.If Bob want to help Beth in my opinion why he did't come over to Aruba to check for him self what was going on before to take to go over for a boycott.Bob never did seat with the gov. here to talk only one time by phone.Ever one want to know what realy happend to Natalee is not only Beth of the U.S.

[Sue]

Now why would Aruba contact the State Department
if their not worried about it...Instead they should be contacting the Hague and requesting
Assistance in the case (lighten Karens work load)
So she can help bring this case to a resolution.
IMO If they could just re-evaluate everything carefully draw a conclusion and write up a FULL and detailed report to the family maybe we can have some closure it might not be a outcome the family wants or maybe it will ..People here must understand as stated in many reports even from Aruba this case is open for 2 years they may not find Natalee but who knows what could turn up..or who could slip up I think we all need to keep the faith for the family but also keep faith that Aruba can follow through complete this investigation and bring closure

[MOM]

I think there will be many more states follow suit, and yes Dan it will be soon.

I also, see no reason a governor would have come to Aruba to see for himself, there has been nothing to see. Show some results from Aruba. You know like the way everyone was all high and mighty when the guards were arrested. They were all eager to talk then, but after making a fool of themself with that action, they clamed up.

[VASteve]

What a nightmare for Aruba and an embarassment for the US. All this time and energy (and money) spent to point fingers. Ugly. And in my opinion - stupid.

[Fab]

The US state department has released an official responce to the Aruban goverment.

The goverment thinks that Riley can call on boycots if he wishes so. BUT that this DOES NOT reflect the US foreign policy towards Aruba in ANY way....

[Sue]

It would certainly surprise me If Washington State didnt Boycott as there is a Seattle Man
Missing in Aruba with no trace No clues
No Body No Crime

[Sue]

Last Known Location: June 9, 1999 Windsurf Village board shop, ARUBA.

Bud was wearing a t-shirt, beach shorts and no shoes. He was very much into windsurfing and had been to Aruba one time in the past.

Note: He did not have a moustache when in Aruba.

IMPORTANT!

Should you have any information please email
Curt & Helen Larson

Name: Willard 'Bud' Larson
Race: Caucasian
Age: 39
Hair: Sandy blonde
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5' 11"
Build: Muscular (construction worker)
Distinguishing marks: horizontal scar on face.

[Bitsey]

Day 2: Any other governors been stupid enough to jump onto the boycott bandwagon?

[Only One]

Mom your a mother from one of the MB kids?Why should he not come to Aruba to find out what happend, give one reason for that.Because you guys are filling you self with a lot of power.Shame to you to answer like that I tougt you was more smater.

[MOM]

The US state department has released an official responce to the Aruban goverment.

The goverment thinks that Riley can call on boycots if he wishes so. BUT that this DOES NOT reflect the US foreign policy towards Aruba in ANY way....

Posted by: Fab | Nov 9, 2005 3:08:50 PM

Wher can I find this starement?

[nilo]

The only thing that is
unfortunate is the fact
no one is paying attention
to the relationship with
the prosecuter, Aruban authorties,
court system and "Paulus Van der "

The reason the prosecuter has shut
down meetings with Beth H. and there
has been no additional work on the
tapes of Depak. WHY - who does
Paulas have pictures of - maybe
the prosecuter- or what does
he know that he is a threat and
why are they protecting him at the cost
of the reputation of Aruba and the Aruban
people. What is Karen J. hiding or who.

Karen J.- we smell your cover up and it stinks -
wake up Karen you will have to do
a better job of doing the correct
thing - we clearly understand the
old saying "if you want to reach me leave me
alone " have some professional courtesy
integrity and charater - communicate with
the Holloway family and Beth!

[kim]

shouldn't holland be contacting the state department? i thought arlene said passed the buck to them. they need to make up their minds.

[observer]

This is gonna tick off the arubans for sure and the anti-beth's will grow larger..However there is major dirt that needs to be cleaned up with the aruban officials and this may be the only way to do so.They absolutely dont want the truth out because that will expose the corruption in the ALE.Favor's have gone along way and paulus VDS should be forever gratefull.The refusal to communicate with the grieving mom and many many acts the ALE did stink of corruption.The aruban people need to stand up and demand a Investigation into the corruption of there happy island.

[nilo]

Does the way the prosecuter
is acting reflect how
Aruba feels about
the U.S?

[MOM]

Mom your a mother from one of the MB kids?Why should he not come to Aruba to find out what happend, give one reason for that.Because you guys are filling you self with a lot of power.Shame to you to answer like that I tougt you was more smater.

Posted by: Only One | Nov 9, 2005 3:21:53 PM

I am not a mother from Alabama at all, must have me confussed with some other MOM.

[nilo]

I am perplexed how the aruban government
could even consider having Paulas
be a judge of any type -
Are the Aruban official
not very forward thinking?

no one respects him and
how will he view any cases
with tourists involved
he will surely be biased and
will be discriminating

[Fab]

@MOM

I have read the statement. It has been isseud a couple of hours ago. Tomorrow it will be published by Aruban paper.

[MOM]

Thanks FAB, first I've heard of a response.

[Fab]

@ MOM I Just found a DUTCH site that has written sometyhing about it. Still It's not the response itself. It's In dutch. Try using babblefish or something to translate it.

http://www.clubmetro.nl/index.php?actie=nieuws&c=2&id=37820

[Sue]

someone post the link please to the response

[Fab]

I will keep on searching for an official copy of the response. The moment I find it I will post a link.

[Brooke]

"The US state department has released an official responce to the Aruban goverment.

The goverment thinks that Riley can call on boycots if he wishes so. BUT that this DOES NOT reflect the US foreign policy towards Aruba in ANY way....

Posted by: Fab | Nov 9, 2005 3:08:50 PM"

I would hope so!
This is just a BT temper tantrum.
No one will tell me where I can or cannot travel
especially ms queenie.

[Fab]

Brooke,

I totally Agree.

[Sharon]

COMMENT:
LAST NIGHT watching Beth I felt so sorry for her. She looked so stressed. She has lost even more weight and she looked so troubled. My love
to her and Dave and rest of the family. I pray this nightmare will be over soon and Aruba will finally come to their senses and stop the coverup and do a real investigation....

[Sharon]

COMMENT:
Karen J.- we smell your cover up and it stinks -
wake up Karen you will have to do
a better job of doing the correct
thing - we clearly understand the
old saying "if you want to reach me leave me
alone " have some professional courtesy
integrity and charater - communicate with
the Holloway family and Beth!

Posted by: nilo | Nov 9, 2005

RESPONSE:

BRAVO NILO :O)

[truthbetold]

I think it will go beyond boycott, to a full embargo, along with the US issuing a travel advisory against Aruba. I think our goal at this point is destroy the island of Aruba at any cost.
Posted by: woebegone | Nov 9, 2005 12:21:58

and I will say it AGAIN...how freaking disgusting and selfish of beth twitty to do this to the very people who gave her free hotel rooms, free meals, free rental cars, helped her put up flyers, took days off and searched for natalee all over the island while beth sat in her air conditioned hotel, the ones who donated 20 grand to terxas equisearch and covered their food and drinks also plus donated the heavy equipment used for searches....this womans sense of nobody in the world mattering but HER is sickening..I am hoping and waiitng for this whole thing to blow up in her face...you do notice even Jug does not stand by her side anymore

[richard]

Sorry, the family has said many times that they did NOT get free hotel rooms, free rental cars, etc.

If any of you can come up with a better way of getting Aruba to come clean some six months after the event, please do so.

The family were initially against a boycott ... they went to it only when they realized that Aruba's pretense of cooperation was to pull the wool over the eyes of their own people.

Let's hope they wake up and realize who is really responsible ... too bad, if there is any economic fallout from the boycott, that the van der Scums won't be there to suffer. The chief culprit is in Holland, and the others will no doubt be following. Rats deserting the ship....

[itfigures]

"This is a preposterous and irresponsible act," Oduber said Tuesday night after attending a closed session with members of Parliament.

Is this quote referring to: (choose 1 or more)

A: Aruban LE lack of urgency, botching 1st 10 days of investigation, arresting 2 black men based on coordinated, detailed, outright lies from 3 suspects.
B: Aruban underage residents and foreigners drinking and gambling at all hours of the night, clubs like Carlos n Charlies catering to underage clients.
C: Aruban LE insinuating mismanagement of search funds, banking corruption, and insurance fraud against victims family.
D: Aruban LE promising to play, but only for pay ! Doesn't my LE know missing persons cases are the wrong venue for Standup comedy.
E: The lack of respect, urgency, and details provided a missing child's family. Forgetting that nothing is more precious to a parent then their child.
F: That darn boycott. I can't believe that crazy family is so desperate to find out what happened to their child. We sure underestimated that psycho. We gave her 1, 2 months tops and figured she'd go away quietly. This is war...she's hitting us in our pocketbooks now.
G: All of the Above.

[Carri]

I should hope that the US Government issues a statement that Riley's boycott isn't endorsed by the US Gov't -- nor a reflection of our foreign policy.

When or if there's any evidence to support that Natalee Holloway was a victim of a crime perpetrated by residents of Aruba, and specifically, that Aruban law enforcement conspired to cover-up said crime...I *might* look at this most recent lunacy coming from Mountain Brook and Alabama with a different perspective. Until such time...I'm boycotting Alabama -- personally, and on a professional (business) level.

[Sharon]

COMMENT:
and I will say it AGAIN...how freaking disgusting and selfish of beth twitty to do this to the very people who gave her free hotel rooms, free meals, free rental cars, helped her put up flyers, took days off and searched for natalee all over the island while beth sat in her air conditioned hotel, the ones who donated 20 grand to terxas equisearch and covered their food and drinks also plus donated the heavy equipment used for searches....this womans sense of nobody in the world mattering but HER is sickening..I am hoping and waiitng for this whole thing to blow up in her face...you do notice even Jug does not stand by her side anymore

Posted by: truthbetold | Nov 9, 2005 3:59:43 PM

RESPONSE:
YEAH YOU ARE POINTING THE FINGER AT THE WRONG PERSON...TRY YOUR ALE....BE ANGRY/LIVID AT THEM NOT BETH...Beth is not guilty of anything, other than getting the attention of the corrupt government of Aruba to finally do a REAL investigation instead of protecting the Judge's son Joran and his two side kicks Kalpoe brothers.
She has professional people and our government now backing her from the good old USA, because your stiff necked government establishment wants to cover the crime and not do a proper investigation.

[Jody]

Anyone who thinks that anything short of those three boys hanging from a tree is going to make Beth happy is kidding themselves. Beth doesn't care about justice or answers. She just wants what she wants, and that is those three boys strung up.
Forget that she is the one who sent her "responsible" daughter to Aruba so she could get drunk, dance on bars, do jello shots, have a BJ with some unknown guy and then go off with three guys she really didn't know. Beth takes no responsibility for this at all. She also refuses to admit that this wouldn't have happened if Natalee had really been a responsible person.

Anyone with any common sense should be able to ignore this and make up their own minds about whether they want to travel to Aruba or not. Beth is just mad because she has been told off and the truth is getting too close to home for her taste. She is scared that people are going to start looking into how she has been spending all those donations, and what the other kids might tell about what else Natalee was doing while in Aruba.

[Fab]

Some people really have a very active imagination. This so cover up is just a Bogus story. P.van der Sloot was a judge in training who failed his exam. The Media is potraying hom as a very influential man but in reality he's defenelly NOT. So why a cover up to protect his guy? Can someone tell me this please?

[Sharon]

COMMENT:

F: That darn boycott. I can't believe that crazy family is so desperate to find out what happened to their child. We sure underestimated that psycho. We gave her 1, 2 months tops and figured she'd go away quietly. This is war...she's hitting us in our pocketbooks now.
G: All of the Above.

Posted by: itfigures | Nov 9, 2005 4:06:47 PM

RESPONSE:
IF YOU WANT THIS TO END ....Contact Aruba governement and start your own protest to "solve the Natalie Holloway Case"...get your own picket line going in protest on your sandy shores, so that the ALE will do a REAL investigation instead of covering up for the ciminals...It's very simple Rubian's, JUSTICE FOR NATALIE AND FAMILY

[Fab]

Sharon,

Paulus V/d Sloot was not a judge but a Judge in training who failed his exam.

Why would the government of Aruba want to cover something up after this loser?
The media is portraying him as verry influential and whealthy guy while is is most defenetelly not!

[Sue]

I guess when PVT has his court hearing to try and release him from this case will give the answers.. isnt today the day for the court hearing..

[Sharon]

COMMENT:
This is gonna tick off the arubans for sure and the anti-beth's will grow larger..However there is major dirt that needs to be cleaned up with the aruban officials and this may be the only way to do so.They absolutely dont want the truth out because that will expose the corruption in the ALE.Favor's have gone along way and paulus VDS should be forever gratefull.The refusal to communicate with the grieving mom and many many acts the ALE did stink of corruption.The aruban people need to stand up and demand a Investigation into the corruption of there happy island.

Posted by: observer
RESPONSE:
OBSERVER YOU ARE RIGHT....THE ARUBAN PEOPLE NEED TO stand up and call the ALE accountable. The ALE are the ones making the people suffer not Beth... She has suffered enough, a daughter riped out of her life...a cover up....crimals released....What a heart break for her to have to go through all this bull shit because of a corrupt coverup...WAKE UP HOLLAND YOU BETTER SHAKE THE CHANGE OUT OF ARUBA'S POCKETS AND ALL OF ITS DRUG CRIME DOWN THERE!!

[danie]

what a sad scenario...innocent people are suffering the repercussions of the actions and silence of 4 individuals...Joran & Paulus VDS and Deepak & Satish Kalpoe...the innocents are Natalee Holloway and her family and the truly good people of Aruba. If these 4 individuals had cooperated with the LE and the family on their first night in Aruba...IMVHO we would not all be here today...they (the 4)may even have helped locate Natalee and the investigation would have been quick and concise. I may be naive, but I don't understand why more people are not holding the 3 suspects + 1 advisor more accountable for their lack of cooperation....just my opinion.......danie

[Northerner]

WAKE UP HOLLAND YOU BETTER SHAKE THE CHANGE OUT OF ARUBA'S POCKETS AND ALL OF ITS DRUG CRIME DOWN THERE!!

Posted by: Sharon | Nov 9, 2005 4:31:10 PM

Or what? You are going to come down and do it for us?
Guess what: after 5 months of negative hype about Aruba in the US media, the island is still full of American tourists. Even better: tourism from Europe is on the rise, as evidenced by a new airline starting a direct Amsterdam-Aruba flight this week. This in addition to the existing KLM flights. Reason: increased demand.
Aruba has nothing to fear from a few misguided people calling for a boycot.

[Fab]

Americans you better wake up!
The Gov. of Alabama and the HT's are trying to boycott one of the few places on the planet where you are safe and welcome as an American. This is a very sad development

[Sharon]

COMMENT:
Sharon,

Paulus V/d Sloot was not a judge but a Judge in training who failed his exam.

Why would the government of Aruba want to cover something up after this loser?
The media is portraying him as verry influential and whealthy guy while is is most defenetelly not!

Posted by: Fab | Nov 9

RESPONSE:
FAB...BETTER ASK THE ALE WHY, WHO WHEN AND WHERE IS SHE....THEY DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO COVER UP any of the leads on this case. They knew who the last three suspects were to be with her and yet they did not impound the car or search their premise the first 48 hrs or for ten days let them free not under survielence to come and go as they please. They could have moved Natlie's body forty times for all we know. The underworld drug scene is very alive there and why would Joran be able to access several gambling casino's to play and drink while under age? It goes on and on as you well know...Look at it from a real perspective instead of trying to put a spin on it. Yeah they all three had sex with her like she would be willing to have sex with those three pigs NOT!! It was rape and murder! Guilty....

[knot]

It appears the boycott or at least the threat of one is getting their attention...the PM and others are crying foul!..LOL..I for one, am very excited and would like to see what damage a boycott would do to them...

[Fab]

Sharon You are one of the many people who are trying to give a spin on this case. You are already covinced that they are guilty. If you know something that the FBI or the ALE doesn't know you should really come forward with this info. I'm sure you were one of those who was already lighting the torches in the beginning when the 2 black guys were arrested without knowing is they where guilty.

[festicles]

Par for the course throughout this case - how many times did we hear Beth say "we are really on the same page now" or "we are really making progress" after meetings with the police; only to go on Fox/Nasty Disgrace/Etc. shortly thereafter and excoriate them. Sometimes on the same day or within 24 hours.

Now she meets with the tourism department to play nice, flies home, and backs a boycott? Classy. I wonder why she doesn't get enthusiastic support from the Arubans?

Her approach from the beginning put everyone on the defensive, polarized the situation, and did more to hamper the investigation than any allegedly incompetent or corrupt Aruban LE official. She just doesn't get it. I know she has been thru hell losing her daughter, but compare her behavior to the dignity shown by others in her situation.

[Fab]

@knot

I you ask me I think this boycott will have absolutly no effect. There is still a lot of people walking around who are actually sane.

[Justme]

Boycott or NO Boycott....Coruption or NO Coruption.....Long story short, a person came up missing. For whatever reason Aruba judicial system has proven that they are not able to handle a simple investigation. It doesn't give me security in their ability for my safey.

Me & my family aren't going there. Simple as that. For the sake of a happy beautiful island, why risk having to deal with a proven dysfuntional law enforcement agency?? There are tons of other places I can go to vacation & spend my money without the stress & worry.

Best advice to Aruba....solve the case & clean up this mess any way possible. Then hire a really good public relations or media spokesperson to clean up your reputation. You're spending all this time & energy fighting the wrong thing to protect your tourism & it's not working.

[Fab]

@Just me

Would you mins sharing e couple of those places with us? I feel like I need a good laugh....

[Sharon]

COMMENT:
Or what? You are going to come down and do it for us?
Guess what: after 5 months of negative hype about Aruba in the US media, the island is still full of American tourists. Even better: tourism from Europe is on the rise, as evidenced by a new airline starting a direct Amsterdam-Aruba flight this week. This in addition to the existing KLM flights. Reason: increased demand.
Aruba has nothing to fear from a few misguided people calling for a boycot.

Posted by: Northerner | Nov 9, 2005 4:38:19 PM

RESPONSE:
NORTHERNER HAVE YOU NOT HEARD of the domino effect? ..... That's what this Boycott will bring forth. So your statics above mean NOTHING..
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING....Get the BIG Picture...6 months from now a year from now, etc.

Don't be naive, Americans will think twice about ever allowing their children to go to Aruba!

[Fab]

@Sharon

Face It. Most americans are intelligent people and will not let some redneck Mom or Governer dictate where they sould go or spent their well earned dollars!

[Northerner]

@ Fab:

She probably means someplace like Phoenix, Arizona, where of course (like in the rest of the US, but unlike the Big Bad World out there) sex slavery and abduction of teenagers do not exist:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/11/09/sex.slave.ap/index.html