Alabama's first lady condemns Aruba

Alabama First Lady Patsy Riley promised the family of missing teenager Natalee Holloway that the state will always support the search for her, and accused the Aruban government of turning its back on the family*. (see bottom)

"To know that another country turned its back," Riley said, her voice breaking with emotion during a candlelit prayer meeting Thursday night for missing children. "The people of Alabama will never turn their back."

Holloway was last seen leaving a bar with three young men from Aruba during a graduation trip to the island May 30. Holloway's mother, Beth Twitty, and her stepfather, Jug Twitty, attended the prayer meeting at the Gov.'s Mansion along with two dozen friends from the 18-year-old's hometown of Mountain Brook, a suburb of Birmingham.

At least four other families of missing children also attended the meeting."It touches me that they have so much strength to stand up for our family," Jug Twitty said, referring to Gov. Bob Riley and his wife.

Two glass bowls were set out for what Riley called a "love offering" to help the Holloways in their search. She said the money would not be counted at the meeting and the family could "do with that what they choose."

Some 40 Alabama children are missing, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Tara Frazier, whose 15-year-old niece Sharnecia went missing a year ago, said that while the prayer meeting was largely focused on Holloway, she still felt consoled. "It was a comfort," she said after the meeting. "Not so much sad, but comforting."

Patsy Riley, speaking from the steps of the mansion, asked the victims' families to stand together and draw from one another's strength. They held hands in prayer, later lighting white candles in memory of their missing children.

"This is about all missing children," the first lady told them. "The difference with Natalee is that a different country is involved. ...Therefore, there's a different crisis." Holloway's family initially praised Aruban authorities for their work on the case, but they turned critical, alleging incompetence and conflicts of interest, and joined the governor in calling for a nationwide boycott of travel to Aruba.

Riley has sent letters to the 49 other American governors, urging them to join him in the boycott. So far, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has been the only governor to join.

Meanwhile, Assistant Aruban Police Chief Gerold G. Dompig has said in interviews that Beth Twitty has hurt the investigation by releasing sensitive information during her frequent appearances on U.S. television shows. And he said Holloway's classmates need to be questioned more because of "disturbing" statements they've made on TV and the Internet.

The first lady said she decided to hold the prayer meeting this year because the holidays can be the toughest time for families who have lost a child. Patsy Riley told the families that blowing out their candles does not mean the end of this prayer meeting.

"We will never stop searching for your loved ones."

* "accused the Aruban government of turning its back on the family."

The government of Aruba turned its back on the family by investing over $ 1.500.000,00 importing Dutch investigators, World reknown interrogator, psychologists, allowing F.B.I., C.I.A., and Interpol their help and expertise, providing Dutch Marines to search, helicopters, F-16's and it's 100 men support team, giving public workers day off to search, Red Cross, community groups, Search and Rescue Teams, providing 25% of the police force to work on the case, Fire fighters and many others which for the First Lady means turning their backs.

The Community and local businesses supported the family with free meals, booze, stays, transportations, reduced fares and rates for services, accumulating up to almost $ 400.000,00 in help and that excluding donations to the Twitty's fund and banks donating thousands of dollars to the Miller Team and reward money.

That is why Aruba deserves the BOYCOTT !!