In this special edition of Dutch Horizons, “The Kingdom at a Crossroads”, we look at the ties between the Netherlands and its former colonies in the Caribbean—Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles—which together form one Kingdom. Many people feel this relationship should be revised, and a search is underway for models more suited to the present age: full independence? municipal or provincial status? crown colony? We also discuss the growing problem of the Caribbean drugs trade and “the Dutch sandwich”.
Our guests include: the minister in charge of Antillean affairs Gijs de Vries, Dutch parliamentarian Gerritjan Van Oven, Professor Gert Oostindie of the University of Leiden, Antillean Justice Minister Rutsel Martha and Antillean author Frank Martinus Arion (1936-2015).
Producer: Marijke van der Meer
Broadcast: 2002