Referendum on Curaçao's future opens old wounds

A referendum on the future of Curaçao within the Kingdom of the Netherlands is dividing the population of the Caribbean island.

Almost 119,000 voters on Curaçao, a former Dutch colony in the Caribbean, will get a say in the future of their island this Friday. A referendum offers a choice between 'sí' or 'nò' to a deal brokered between the local Curaçao government and the Netherlands. If the population agrees, the Dutch state will take responsibility for 1.7 billion euros of the Dutch Antilles debt - most of which was built up by Curaçao. But in exchange the Dutch want supervision over state spending and the maintenance of law and order.

The Dutch say the deal is a final offer. But the opposition parties in Curaçao are offended by the agreement made between the governments; they accuse the Netherlands of neo-colonialism.

The relationship between the Netherlands and its former Caribbean colonies has always been thorny. Curaçao is currently part of the Dutch Antilles, a seperate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. But that country is set to be disolved next year. What it will be replaced with is currently the subject of intense debate. After years of negotiations, the scenario on the table now is that Curaçao and St. Maarten will become independent countries - as Aruba already is - within the kingdom, whereas the remaining smaller islands - Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba - will become special municipalities of the Netherlands itself.

The latest polls indicate the referendum race is too close to call. If the sí-vote comes out on top, the transition will proceed as planned, as will the restructuring of most of Curaçao's debt. But if the nò-camp wins, the consequences are far from clear.

Threat to cut off funds

Antillean prime minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage has said she will resign if the no camp prevails, but her coalition government may still decide to disregard the result of the referendum. In the Netherlands, prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende and a majority in parliament have threatened to cut off the funds needed to restructure Curaçao's finances if the deal is turned down. Ank Bijleveld, the deputy minister for national affairs who is responsible for the relationship with the islands, said she hopes the people of Curaçao realise this is an unique opportunity. "They should not expect to get more money for the debt restructuring by saying no. It may even become less, because we are experiencing some serious financial problems in the Netherlands too," Bijleveld said.

But according to Douwe Boersema, a professor of constitutional law, the Netherlands is obligated under UN decolonisation laws to start new talks with Curaçao regardless of the outcome of the referendum.

The Dutch government is well aware that it has to use the momentum and reach a deal before the end of its current mandate, because enthusiasm for the plan is quickly evaporating in the Netherlands. The populist Party for Freedom - which is getting high scores in the opinon polls - has already said it wants to rid the Netherlands of the islands completely.

Rooted in a history of slavery

On Curaçao itself, opposition attempts to convince the population to vote no caused chaos on one of the main roads on the island this week. A string of cars blocked the route from the capital Willemstad to the airport. In front of a shopping mall, supporters of the opposition party MAN handed out gadgets expressing their affiliation with the no-camp. Drivers abandoned their cars - motors running - to collect stickers, T-shirts and small flags.

Curaçaoans are being asked to say yes or no to the question: "I approve of the result of the round-table conference to come to an autonomous Curaçao within the kingdom". But the dispute has moved far beyond that proposition.

The negotiations have opened up all sorts of old wounds, and the historic differences within Curaçao society now seem stronger than ever. In a country rooted in a history of slavery and colonialism, the divide between yes and no runs mostly along racial and economic lines. The whiter, richer and more educated people are more likely to vote in favour of the deal, while the less privileged black population leans towards no. Traditionally, it has been the poorer segment of the population that clings to the security of close ties with the Netherlands, while the local intelligentsia says it is fed up with Dutch "interference".

Fed up with both sides

But Sonny, a mechanic living in a suburb of Willemstad, doesn't see it that way. "Those rich kids are saying: take the Dutch money and let them rule here if they want. But I would rather keep control. I don't want things to be the way they used to be. If you always take money from others, you will never gain self-respect."

Sonny's neighbourhood is dominated by nò-voters, and drivers with a sí on their car are afraid to drive through here from fear of having rocks thrown at them. Likewise, the nò-supporters are feeling less than welcome in the exclusive residential areas these days.

With the two campaigns trying to outdo each other with rallies, there is a growing minority that is fed up with both sides. "The referendum is completely politicised," said student Clark Abraham. He said he will turn in a blank ballot paper. Abraham was worried about what comes after the referendum. Violent incidents are expected no matter what the result.

"Whether sí or nò wins, we are a divided society. Democracy is not the dictatorship of the minority. The question is how we're going to deal with that," Abraham said.