THE HAGUE - The draft Kingdom Act to make it possible for Curaçao to adhere to the treaty that the Kingdom has with the United States on the admission to and residence of American soldiers has been submitted by the Minister of Foreign Relations Stef Blok to the parliaments from Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands.

The minister had asked for "silent consent", but at the initiative of Sadet Karabulut, Member of Parliament for the Socialist Party, it did not take place. That means the regular legislative process must be followed. Blok quickly got his civil servants to put together a proposal for a national law.

The Second Chamber Committee on Foreign Affairs has decided today to hold a written round of questions. The political groups have until 23 April to submit their possible questions. The minister will respond to this in writing again, after which the House will continue the hearing orally.

The Parliaments of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten also have the right to submit questions.

It is a long-standing treaty that Aruba and Sint Maarten immediately joined. The then government of Curaçao has abandoned this at the time. However, the Rhuggenaath Cabinet sees economic benefits. Once affiliation to the treaty is a fact, US Navy ships can call at the port of Willemstad and US troops can use practice facilities on the island.

Part of the Second chamber thinks the timing is unfortunate because of the tension between the US and Venezuela.