Erno Labega October 2nd 2009: Status Appartus

PHILIPSBURG--
"The setting of October 10th, 2010 as the date in which St. Maarten will become a country within the Dutch Kingdom is a victory for the island's people, who gave their leaders a mandate in the June 23rd 2000 referendum to pursue country status," said Democratic Party (DP) deputy leader parliamentarian Erno Labega, on Thursday. The date was signed off on by kingdompartners Wednesday night at the end of the Kingdom Political Steering Group Meeting in the World Trade Center in Curacao. The date is irrevocable, but there are still some conditions the island has to fulfill even after October 2010."This achievement is largely the fruit of the labour and perserverance of DP leader Island Councilwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams, who until June 8th, was constitutional affairs commissioner of the referendum," Labega said. "Her dedication and unrelentng pursuit of country status along with the drive of the island's advisors and participation of the the the opposition National Alliance (NA) made this milestone possible.