ARUBA - Robyn Gardner, 35, Maryland woman missing in Aruba, 2 Aug 2011 - # 8

[LambChop]

Here's a transcript of an interview with Greta Van Susteren and Ambassador Mark Lagon, Sr. Advisor to the Secretary of State, regarding human trafficking in Aruba.


Human Trafficking: A Closer Look at a Growing Worldwide Problem
Published December 02, 2008
FOXNews


<snip>

Dec. 1, 2008

VAN SUSTEREN: Is there any record or history of actual trafficking through Aruba?

LAGON: There is. Aruba, being small, is not ranked in our report, but there are cases. Admittedly, much of the pattern seems to be going to Aruba. But it is quite conceivable that trafficking from Aruba is possible.

VAN SUSTEREN: In Aruba, do you find that the policemen are willing to look at the problem? Are they honest, thorough, good, or does our state department have any problem with the law enforcement in Aruba?

LAGON: I am not in a position to give a really good assessment of that. But it is a region in which, in Latin America, corruption and lack of efficacy and law-enforcement is serious.

VAN SUSTEREN: We have some been dealing with the Natalee Holloway case, and you are not part of this investigation, but we have some information that we would like them to look at. But there is an unwillingness to even look at what we have. Do you find that unusual?

LAGON: Everyone should be open to the opportunity to look at evidence, because the possibility of trafficking in this region is serious.

VAN SUSTEREN: What do these women say, and I don't know if you have ever spoken to them or talked to people who have been the victim of trafficking-everyone says why don't you just walk away? I have talked to them, and I know what-but what to do here?

LAGON: The definition of human trafficking by law and under U.N. treaties involved force, fraud, and coercion.

In general prostitution, there is a lot of violence and manipulation by pimps. And in the situation of the human trafficking it is terribly acute.
Oftentimes people are kept in a brothel and cannot leave. They are living and being exploited in the same place. Their traffickers get them into debt. They make them afraid that if they run they will only be treated like a criminal.

VAN SUSTEREN: I take it then that you are not dismissive of the possibility that this could have happened to Natalee Holloway?

LAGON: I'm not. The flow of human trafficking through this region is significant. Rule of law is lacking. Where there are even laws, like in Aruba, they are not well implemented. It is quite possible that this is happening on a significant scale. So you really can't reject out of hand that idea.

VAN SUSTEREN: Ambassador, thank you.

LAGON: Pleasure.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,460130,00.html#ixzz1gN5YKKRH

The difference here is he is saying it could, not that it is. If there were women disappearing on a regular basis I would believe it was a problem in Aruba and could possibly account for RG's disappearance. But they are not, nor are European woman, Dutch woman or women visitors from SA reported missing from the island. Someone would report them missing. You come in by plane or cruise ship and you are accounted for coming and leaving. They ask you where you are staying and know exactly where to find you if they have to. jmo

 

[Dushi]

That information didn't come from any sort of official source though, it came from some anonymous person who claimed to know details. That doesn't make it corrrect and certainly not verified. Simply being reported in a news source doesn't make it any more believable. It would be different if the insurance company or the prosecutor who was making that allegation, but as far as we know they have not.

Yes the anonomous source close to the investigation!!

 

[LolliPop]

Perhaps you should check the facts. According to the following artice; BETH HOLLOWAY'S PLANE LANDED JUST 12 HOURS AFTER SHE RECEIVED THE FIRSRT CALL.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37650865/ns/dateline_nbc-crime_reports/t/deadly-connection/

I was referring to your post about her catching the first plane to Aruba.

She didn't catch it, she organised it.

But enough of reality checks.

 

[Sapphire]

I swear, you learn something new every day - would you please source this for me? Seriously, poor misguided GG - he actually thought he was going to have to incur the expense of Aruba searching for a missing person.

You know, it occurs to me that maybe, IMO, he was lying about her being alive the last time he saw her, and knew the search was futile. If so, then perhaps he learned something from another famous case where a mother claimed her child was missing, when she knew she was dead, and had to pay back the tax payers the cost of the wild goose chase searches. It's a thought...IMO

Regarding the life insurance policy:



Gary Giordano proclaims on GMA that he did not murder Robyn Gardner
Joel Siegfried, News Analysis Examiner
December 2, 2011


<snip>

Mr. Giordano seemed in command, answered every query without hesitation, and at one point, took charge when Ms. Roberts, his interviewer, appeared flustered and hesitated to confront the former prisoner with tough questions.

When she obliquely referenced the $1.5 million dollar life insurance policy Giordano had taken out on his traveling companion, Giordano quickly shot back, "Let's talk about the life insurance policy."

Without pausing, he launched into an explanation that the coverage offered by American Express was to insure against a canceled trip, and that he was not given the choice to exclude Ms. Gardner from the same coverage that he was purchasing for himself, which in addition to cancellations, lost baggage, and medical benefits, also covered his own accidental death, with his children listed as beneficiaries.

Mr. Giordano also pointed out that his attorney in Aruba had advised him to contact the insurance company as soon as Ms. Gardner vanished. Helicopters, vehicles, search dogs, scuba divers, and other private resources were being used to look for the missing woman, raising concerns if the insurance policy would cover such costs.

"My lawyer at the time, Michael Lopez, said you need to call insurance immediately. Helicopters and divers might send you an invoice. Call insurance and ask them how they deal with these expenses," Giordano said.

He then added that a book for tourists, the Holland Handbook for Travelers, allegedly published by the Dutch government, instructs travelers that when someone goes missing they should first call authorities, then contact their insurance company.

A book with a similar title, Belgium and Holland. Handbook for travellers, is archived and available for reading online, but was published in 1891 by Karl Baedeker.

<snip>

http://www.examiner.com/news-analys...s-on-gma-that-he-did-not-murder-robyn-gardner

 

[katydid23]

I was referring to your post about her catching the first plane to Aruba.

She didn't catch it, she organised it.

But enough of reality checks.

Who cares if she caught it or organized it? She immediately made a mad dash for the island the moment she heard her girl was missing. And within a few hours she was knocking on VanderSloots front door. She knew it and could do nothing about it.

 

[LolliPop]

Yes the anonomous source close to the investigation!!

Who claimed that ?

Someone anonymous ? LOL

 

[Micheline]

In five-plus years of discussing Natalee Holloway, I don't believe I ever once saw an American use the term "human trafficking" with regards to Aruba in the sense you are using it today.

All references to "human trafficking" in that case (and I believe in this one) refer to women being abducted and forced into drug use and prostitution, usually elsewhere in SA.

I see no reason to believe GG suddenly decided to opine on the subject of Aruba's illegal immigration problem.

I am not using any terms, I am simply referring to something Giordano brought up not me.

 

[LolliPop]

Who cares if she caught it or organized it? She immediately made a mad dash for the island the moment she heard her girl was missing. And within a few hours she was knocking on VanderSloots front door. She knew it and could do nothing about it.

I notice you use the word "mad".

 

[vlpate]

So the FBI was involved right at the beginning and ABC is a FBI affiliate.

Yes, a very smart move.

Media material is very conclusive in a court of law.

What are you talking about, ABC and media material?

 

[Sapphire]

Who cares if she caught it or organized it? She immediately made a mad dash for the island the moment she heard her girl was missing. And within a few hours she was knocking on VanderSloots front door. She knew it and could do nothing about it.

Yes, the Reality is Beth did the best she could given the situation. I applaud her for her efforts.

 

[katydid23]

I notice you use the word "mad".

Of course. I think she was pretty mad. Don't you?

Do you think joran was innocent and misunderstood?

 

[MaryAnn]

I notice you use the word "mad".

LolliPop

I know it's something very hard for you to understand! MOST Mothers do rush to find their children when they go missing.

 

[Dushi]

Yes, the Reality is Beth did the best she could given the situation. I applaud her for her efforts.

yes, applauding as well

Has anyone figured out yet whether there are two fisherman statements or are we dealing with one that seem to morph into something else?

 

[JeannaT]

I swear, you learn something new every day - would you please source this for me? Seriously, poor misguided GG - he actually thought he was going to have to incur the expense of Aruba searching for a missing person.

You know, it occurs to me that maybe, IMO, he was lying about her being alive the last time he saw her, and knew the search was futile. If so, then perhaps he learned something from another famous case where a mother claimed her child was missing, when she knew she was dead, and had to pay back the tax payers the cost of the wild goose chase searches. It's a thought...IMO

His lawyer advised him to call his insurance company, and also Holland has published a tourist guide for Aruba that says if you have one in your party go missing, call your travelers insurance company to see about search insurance.

 

[katydid23]

yes, applauding as well

Has anyone figured out yet whether there are two fisherman statements or are we dealing with one that seem to morph into something else?

Lamb posted upthread some links that seemed to show it might have been 2, I believe.

 

[SyraKelly]

Does anyone remember a case where a guy planned a murder here in the US and went a broad and killed,I think it was wife and they were on their honeymoon-they found her on the bottom of a lagoon or something.they actually showed her down there with her scuba gear still on..They charged him here in the US with pred,murder and he now sits in jail..it was on dateline/20/20 or something..I wonder if they could do that in this case?

 

[vlpate]

I was referring to your post about her catching the first plane to Aruba.

She didn't catch it, she organised it.

But enough of reality checks.

Where would we be without such stellar observations. I, for one, am glad you caught that.

 

[MaryAnn]

Does anyone remember a case where a guy planned a murder here in the US and went a broad and killed,I think it was wife and they were on their honeymoon-they found her on the bottom of a lagoon or something.they actually showed her down there with her scuba gear still on..They charged him here in the US with pred,murder and he now sits in jail..it was on dateline/20/20 or something..I wonder if they could do that in this case?

Yes, I remember that case. So sad to see the Bride laying at the bottom of the ocean. I hope that can happen with GG. Anyone in their right mind knows he's guilty!

 

[Dushi]

Does anyone remember a case where a guy planned a murder here in the US and went a broad and killed,I think it was wife and they were on their honeymoon-they found her on the bottom of a lagoon or something.they actually showed her down there with her scuba gear still on..They charged him here in the US with pred,murder and he now sits in jail..it was on dateline/20/20 or something..I wonder if they could do that in this case?

They need evidence
There isn't enough

If there was enough evidence he would have been charged

If more evidence is discovered he can be extradited

 

[LambChop]

His lawyer advised him to call his insurance company, and also Holland has published a tourist guide for Aruba that says if you have one in your party go missing, call your travelers insurance company to see about search insurance.

Aruba does not charge for searches, at least they have not up until this case. But thanks GG for coming up with that idea when they suspect it's not an accident but a crime. The flyer was published in the late 1800's long before there ever was search insurance, if there is such a thing now????

Plus whatever GG claims happened without it being verified from someone else is hard to believe. His stories change like the wind. jmo