Minister Bijleveld to visit SSS islands

Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bi­jleveld will be visiting the Dutch Windward Islands this week. In addition to visits to Dutch soldiers in St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius, she is expected to have discussions with various authorities in the islands.

In St. Maarten, Bijleveld will visit the Royal Nether­lands Marechaussee’s fam­ily day, the Pointe Blanche naval support point, the Belair location of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and the Coast Guard sup­port point on Thursday, September 26. A conversa­tion with Governor Eugene Holiday and Justice Minis­ter Cornelius de Weever is also scheduled.

Bijleveld travels to Saba and St. Eustatius on Friday, September 27, on board Coast Guard cutter Poema. Discussions are scheduled with Marechaussee person­nel on both islands. She will also visit with Saba Gover­nor Jonathan Johnson and St. Eustatius Government Commissioner Marcolino “Mike” Franco.

Bijleveld’s visit falls dur­ing the Atlantic hurricane season. Earlier this month Dutch navy vessels Zr. Ms. Johan de Witt and Zr. Ms. Snellius were sent on a hu­manitarian assistance mis­sion to the Bahamas.

St. Maarten was hit hard by Hurricane Irma two years ago. Bijleveld wants to keep abreast of the Dutch soldiers’ work, their living conditions, and the progress of repair work, ac­cording to a press release.

The Daily Herald.