Aruba - Natalee Holloway, 18, Oranjestad, 30 May 2005 #1

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Natalee Holloway update: potential problems for search parties bound for Aruba

Tensions are building between two search parties involved in the search for missing Mountain Brook teen Natalee Holloway.
Right now, private investigator Fred Golba is currently in Aruba, searching a retention pond.
Tim Miller and Texas EquuSearch are planning a deep water search on the ocean floor in the next few months.
They’ve raised $1.5 million dollars to go back to Aruba to finish a search that began last March, then stalled when funding ran out.
Underwater rovers will inspect suspicious containers on the ocean bottom that could hold Natalee’s remains.
“We still have 140 plus targets over there. We’re going to be bringing in a 360 ft boat from Trinidad,“ says Miller.
But Miller is worried Fred Golba is damaging relationships with Aruba’s government—- possibly for all future search parties - because he allegedly isn’t following Aruba’s rules.
Golba allegedly did not get permission beforehand from Aruba before arriving on the island for his current search. Plus, Aruban officials learned about it through the media.
“When people do this, and take off over there like a Rambo, how in the world can we expect to get any future cooperation from the Aruban authorities?“ wonders Miller.
Miller doesn’t think there’s much chance Natalee’s remains are in the pond Golba plans to spend the next two weeks searching. He also doesn’t think much of Golba’s efforts.
“All he’s doing - and Nancy Grace is letting him do it - is turning Natalee’s disappearance into entertainment. This is just putting on a show as far as I’m concerned and ruining relationships we do have with authorities in Aruba,“ warns Miller.
But some Aruban insiders says - although there were tensions when Golba first arrived - he and government officials have now worked everything out.

http://www.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local...blems_for_search_parties_bound_for_aru/65265/

Thanks, Tonia, for this article and link.

I think that searchers, no matter how altruistic they are or aren't, have to think about future funding. And it would only be natural that Tim Miller would have some sense that this is his turf; that he has worked the work and shelled out the bucks.

And he does have a point: If a body were found, the presence and participation of Aruban officials would be crucial for bringing it to possible trial.
 
"Authorities in Aruba are helping a U.S. private investigator search a pond for signs of missing U.S. teen Natalee Holloway despite having no new leads in the case.Firefighters are using a hose to blast mud and debris out of a pond that witnesses previously identified as a possible location for her remains. The pond was drained for the search."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gM4lWnpFfSI8U0EzxCHT8WVehRowD977AGMO0

This is good to hear!
 
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/03/official_pond_search_in_aruba.html

Official: Pond search in Aruba for Natalee Holloway nearly done
AP, March 30, 2009

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A private investigator scouring a drained pond in Aruba for clues that could help solve the mystery of a missing U.S. teen is preparing to wrap up his latest search and report any findings, an official on the Dutch Caribbean island said today.
Ruben Croes, president of the Aruba Search and Rescue Foundation, which has helped look for Natalee Holloway off and on since she vanished in May 2005, said U.S. investigator Fred Golba will end his probe of the garbage-strewn retention pond Tuesday and then depart the island......
 
http://diamonds-international-jewelry.com/WordPress/?p=116

Diamonds International Aruba


Greetings From the Most Beautiful Place on Earth

The Price Of Saving Face

February 17, 2009 - That Aruba is one of the most beautiful places on earth, a prime tourist destination and a mecca for wreck divers is undisputable, but as with any great or small landmass in the world, it’s not without its problems. One of those problems reared its ugly head with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway on May 30th of 2005 and the subsequent investigation.
From Dutch police commissioner Jan van der Straten lagging on search efforts in a perceived attempt to help the father of the prime suspect to chief prosecutor Hans Mos, who incorrectly equated spending on the case with the solving of the case, something definitely smells rotten in Denmark. That the case was mishandled has been well documented by the major media outlets of the Netherlands, the U.S. and any other nation who covered the story. Cries of malfeasance from politicians in Holloway’s home state have been continual since her disappearance. Even Denmark’s right wing political MP has spoken out against the Arubian authorities’ handling of the investigation.
But one crime committed by a spoiled rotten no’er-do-well does not a dangerous island make. Aruba is still and will likely always be one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. Likewise, while a few corrupt politicians and law enforcement officers may have done irreparable damage to the reputation of the Arubian authorities, they’re certainly not the norm and shouldn’t be considered representative of the police force or governement as a whole. The fact that a crime was committed is obvious, but it was another crime altogether that rightfully drew the ire of many who might otherwise one day visit this exquisite paradise and see it for the wonderful place that it truly is.
The crime in question was perpetrated by the Arubian government and the Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force.
When Alabama, followed by Georgia and Arkansas, called for a national travel boycott to Aruba, it was in response to the mishandling of the Holloway investigation. In a letter to the American Society of Travel Agents, Alabama senator Richard Shelby stated that, “For the safety, security and wellbeing of our citizens, I do not believe that we can trust that we will be protected while in Aruba”. And why would he? Why would anyone familiar with the Natalee Holloway story feel the Island is safe for their loved ones? After all, the investigation was rightfully maligned by the world press at the time of the boycott and it had become readily apparent that a criminal remained unprosecuted.
Joran van der Sloot, it is widely believed, had provided Holloway with drugs which caused her death, then made arrangements to dispose of her body in an effort to conceal himself from prosecution. Whether or not this was her final fate or whether there was any truth to alternate scenarios involving sexual assault or physical violence, it was evident that van der Sloot was the last person with Holloway, had lied to investigators on multiple occasions regarding his actions that night and was aided in avoiding prosecution by corruption among some of Aruba’s law enforcement and political authorities.
What stands out is the amount of money spent on the Holloway investigation and how it must have been as misappropriated as the investigative manpower spent looking into Jan van der Straten’s initial handling of the case. Although accusations have been publicly stated, no one in the Arubian government has moved forward to make a case against him. Is the corruption so deep that an investigation into the obvious mishandling of the original investigation couldn’t be undertaken? In short, who’s policing the police? This is just one of many areas where nothing, at least publicly, has been done in an effort to get to the truth. If money is influence (and with a prime suspect who has practically done everything but handcuff himself in admission of his lies and guilt), this case should have been solved long ago. It has cost the Island in the form of negative press and the resulting loss in tourist revenue. If connecting the dots to who did what and who got in the way of finding out would not only bring a killer to justice but reassure visitors from around the world that Aruba is indeed a safe place to visit, why not financially provide the pressure to make sure that happens?
But instead of acknowledging a purposefully bungled investigation, vowing to bring the guilty to justice and committing funds to stamp out the corruption that had let a killer go free, the Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force decided it best to go on the counterattack, denouncing the boycott and falsifying the numbers of reported visitors to the island in an effort to make it appear as though the boycott was ineffective.
It can’t be argued that the people of Aruba proceeded with the best intentions when it came to the Holloway case, especially considering all the donations, personal and government allowed search hours devoted to finding her. Aruba is filled to capacity with caring people who don’t want to see anyone hurt, harmed or missing. Those employed by the tourism industry don’t deserve to suffer from the actions of corrupt politicians any more than Natalee Holloway deserved to be a victim of Joran van der Sloot.
But the truth of the matter is that reactions to the misdeeds of those who bungled the Holloway case had to be reflected on the many, as that’s the purpose, right or wrong, for the boycott. Those who have repeatedly reaped the benefit of their position can’t have it both ways. Police and elected officials in Aruba are paid through tourist dollars. They cannot embrace tourism when it benefits them to do so yet grossly fail in their duties when it comes time to protect those same tourists from harm.
The boycott was (and is) an effort by those outside of Aruba to put pressure on those in Aruba who have the power and funds to root out the corruption that has defined the Holloway case. Its purpose was not to classify the population of an island as criminal, but to encourage the tourism industry, which pays for the political representatives of Aruba and their lifestyles, to do the right thing. In this instance, the “right thing” isn’t limited to the successful prosecution of Joran van der Sloot, but to the prosecution of those who stood in the way of or failed to provide a competent investigation.
Aruba is, in a word, great. It’s great weather, great places and most of all, great people. But in the end, a refusal to acknowledge and deal with corruption plays like publicly portrayed indifference on the part of the Arubian government and the Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force. Through defensive statements and unnecessary ad campaigns, they’ve managed to make Aruba look great at ignoring the fact that a crime was covered up. Falsified numbers can’t take away that perception any better than Lewis Black or all the advertisements in the world. The Natalee Holloway murder began with one guilty party and ended with several. Until those who are guilty are brought to justice for their crimes, there are better uses for monetary resources than saving face.
-Submitted by Don Verbeck
As with all user submitted material, the opinions expressed here are those of the author and are not to be interpreted as representative of the Diamonds International Aruba website or our parent company, Diamonds international, LLC. We encourage commentary by our readership, accepting submissions of original content pertaining to the island of Aruba, the Caribbean, cruising (cruise ship travel), the jewelry industry or related topics of interest which may be posted at our discretion. Submit your editorial here, complete with full name, date and any necessary formatting instructions.

One Response to “The Price Of Saving Face”

  1. ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536
    WorldJOURNIER Says:
    February 17th, 2009 at 2:58 pm Thank You, Mr. Verbeck, for your courage in speaking to The Truth.
 
I saw Tracy Pollen on GMA and The View today. Looks like a very good movie. I can't wait!

This Sunday on Lifetime

Tracy said she had followed the Holloway case very closely. She was nervous about Beth coming to the set, afraid it would be too emotional for Beth.

I bet it was. :(

fran
 
With baths and bedtime for my DSs, I only saw the last 5 minutes. I hope they repeat it.

What'd everyone think about the movie?
 
FWIW, the movie was pretty much what I expected..
I did think Tracey Pollen did a good job ... but I was rather annoyed / disappointed at the way Dave was portrayed.. maybe it was just me... While Beth and Jug were portrayed by attractive actors...the actor playing Dave was balding, dishelved looking.. and ALSO was kinda made out to be a "jerk" in the movie... making it look like he was a cheapskate that didnt want Natalee to go to Aruba because of the money...(when in fact, iirc, he was concerned about Natalee being off in a foreign country without a parent) And.. also portraying him as barely being on Aruba.. I realllllllly did NOT like that.. As I recall... it was Dave who was out in the "trenches" himself.. searching thru the landfill, etc..
also.. not a single mention of TES... in the entire movie.. even if perhaps they did not want to out and out mention the name TES.. I think there should have been SOME mention of a private search group from TX that spent 1000s of hours & $$$$ looking for Natalee.
Since it was based on her book, Obviously the movie is suppposed to be from Beth's perspective.. but I still feel like some of the "artistic license" that she (or writers) took was rather callous or just downright fabricated... and yes.. I realize that there is only so much that can fit into a 2 hour movie.. but still.. how long would it take to mention the countless hours volunteers spent..
JMO..
 
I thought the movie was great. It made my fiance and me cry.
It's so terrible how those boys got away with this, especially Joran.
Deepak actually didn't seem as bad, but they all know where Natalee is.
 
Oh, and for those who haven't seen it yet, it does end with what they believe actually happened to Natalee. I will leave it at that.
 
Hi MvD.
Thanks for the great review.
I have yet to see the movie so thanks for the info. I was wondering about what would be ommited or skimmed over.

Hi PrayersForMaura.

"Deepak actually didn't seem as bad, but they all know where Natalee is." -PFM

ty.
 
FWIW, the movie was pretty much what I expected..
I did think Tracey Pollen did a good job ... but I was rather annoyed / disappointed at the way Dave was portrayed.. maybe it was just me... While Beth and Jug were portrayed by attractive actors...the actor playing Dave was balding, dishelved looking.. and ALSO was kinda made out to be a "jerk" in the movie... making it look like he was a cheapskate that didnt want Natalee to go to Aruba because of the money...(when in fact, iirc, he was concerned about Natalee being off in a foreign country without a parent) And.. also portraying him as barely being on Aruba.. I realllllllly did NOT like that.. As I recall... it was Dave who was out in the "trenches" himself.. searching thru the landfill, etc..
also.. not a single mention of TES... in the entire movie.. even if perhaps they did not want to out and out mention the name TES.. I think there should have been SOME mention of a private search group from TX that spent 1000s of hours & $$$$ looking for Natalee.
Since it was based on her book, Obviously the movie is suppposed to be from Beth's perspective.. but I still feel like some of the "artistic license" that she (or writers) took was rather callous or just downright fabricated... and yes.. I realize that there is only so much that can fit into a 2 hour movie.. but still.. how long would it take to mention the countless hours volunteers spent..
JMO..
Excellent! I agree with everything you said.
 
FINALLY!! A court somewhere in the world is starting to stick up for what is right in the Natalee Holloway Case! I hope that this is just one ruling with MORE to follow, AGAINST, IMHO, at least two of the people who harmed Natalee Holloway that night long ago in Aruba. We may never know the whole story leading up to the demise and disappearance of Natalee, but one thing has now been ruled on by a U.S. Court,.... the Kalpoes will not be getting rich off the work and memory of Jamie Skeeters. Jamie can finally rest in peace and his wife can get on with her life.

It was bad enough that those three (J2K) kept the family and world hostage for months on end with their lies and manipulation in their cover-up of the role they played in Natalee's disappearance. It was deplorable the way the power behind Aruba worked to cover-up what happened to Natalee AND their attempts to help the K2's win an award of $$, after what they did. It was bad enough that J2K have seeked out any opportunity to exploit their misdeeds that night long ago and become rich off of the media's reporting the FACTS of the case. But when they bring into their manipulation, the work and memory of a good man such as Jamie Skeeters, I just don't know what to say..............Disgusting!:mad:

I'm confident when all is said and done, Dr. Phil will win his case. But a first shot has been fired over the bow, the Kalpoes have lost round one! Mr. Skeeters has been released from liability by a U.S. Court.

JMHO
fran


PS (sorry, no link, but it's true!) :(
A Supplemental Tentative Ruling has been entered, naming as defendant Kay Skeeters, the Executrix of the Estate of Jamie Skeeter's, a "Special Motion to Strike is granted"..........................

PPS.........Oh, and thanks for the summary of the Natalee Holloway Story showing. Appreciate it.........fran
 
Spotlight Back on Holloway Disappearance

WASHINGTON, D.C. - It is a case that sparked a media sensation around the world. High school student Natalee Holloway vanished May 30, 2005 in Aruba during a graduation trip. Four years later there are no new leads in the case.

The National Museum of Crime and Punishment is helping to put the case back in the spotlight. Natalee's case is the newest addition to the Unsolved Crimes exhibit, replacing the now solved Anthrax Murders.

<<<<<<<<<full article at link>>>>>>>>>>>>

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/051109_spotlight_back_on_holloway_disappearance
 
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