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PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister William Marlin released a statement to mark the recent launch of the National Security Service (NSS) St. Maarten website.

“’We must have systems of checks and balances to make sure that those people who are making critical decisions for our country are held accountable, and nowhere is that more important than in the area of national security,’ US Senator, Chris Van Hollen said,” Prime Minister Marlin began.

“It is within this context of checks and balances that one of the initiatives of this government is to address integrity issues, and increase transparency and accountability within the government organization,” the PM continued.

“The website of the National Security Service St. Maarten is, therefore, another important step towards achieving that goal. The NSS St. Maarten may be known to many as the institution that carries out the screening of nominees for the position of ministers, but they do much more,” the PM said.

“The legal basis for the functioning of the NSS St. Maarten is the National Ordinance on Security Service. The tasks as mentioned in this national ordinance include: Carrying out security screenings; The promotion of security measures; Conducting investigations to protect the country from persons or organizations that might threaten its democratic legal order, its integrity or its other vital interests, including those of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,” PM Marlin informed.

“The NSS St. Maarten performs these tasks under the responsibility of the Minister of General Affairs. The website of the NSS St. Maarten clearly proves that political activist, consumer advocate and attorney, Ralph Nader was not entirely correct when he stated: ‘National security is the fig leaf against freedom of information.’ In pursuit of that freedom of information, I wish to encourage the people of St. Maarten to visit this website as much as possible to gather all the information they need. The website ensures that you can exercise that freedom of information,” the Prime Minister stated.

“All the information you need is now at your fingertips. Keep yourself informed so you can contribute to the development of your country. May I congratulate the NSS St. Maarten with the launch of this website, and I want to urge them to keep publishing as much information as possible to keep the people of St. Maarten and the whole world informed about the importance of the work they do for St. Maarten,” the Prime Minister’s statement concluded.

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