Dutch Ambassador to the American People.

Statement by H.E. Boudewijn J. van Eenennaam, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the NetherlandsNovember 9, 2005

Statement by H.E. Boudewijn J. van Eenennaam, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on the Governor of Alabama’s call for a travel boycott to Aruba related to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway

9 November 2005

I strongly deplore that the Governor of Alabama has called for a tourism boycott of Aruba in an effort to put pressure on the government of Aruba in the Natalee Holloway case.

I was reassured by the United States State Department that the action of the Governor of Alabama does not represent the foreign policy of the United States. There is no U.S. government boycott or travel restriction on U.S. citizens visiting Aruba.

While I understand the ongoing anguish, a boycott of Aruba is not the answer to a legal case which is still under investigation. It is not the appropriate signal to the citizens of Aruba who have been very supportive in the efforts to find Natalee Holloway. This call ignores the fact that the Aruban authorities, actively assisted by the Kingdom, have done their utmost, and will continue to do so, to solve the case.

I want to reassure the American people that everything is being done to resolve this tragic case.

We are standing together in our efforts and our hope.

http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00001802EN