WILLEMSTAD--Constitutional and Interior Affairs Minister Roland Duncan said he could only respond to a possible investigation into corruption by Transparency International by saying it was a purely sensational move and another attempt to paint the Netherlands Antilles black.

The Dutch government is checking the possibility of an investigation by the worldwide, non-governmental organization, which focuses on restraining international and national corruption.

“We have a pretty good police force and the ministries do a good job. It is expected residents would file complaints with the prosecutor’s officer if there were issues,” the Minister said.

It is not clear what the motivations are for the investigation, who will be interviewed, what will be done with the collected information, Duncan points out, adding that Dutch State Secretary Ank Bijleveld-Schouten (CDA) has yet to ask for the cooperation of his ministry.

“If she does ask, I will need to know what the purpose of the investigation is and who will be interviewed. Will lay people’s opinion on corruption be taken? I mean if there’s evidence of corruption, call the police.”

The Minister also questioned the Dutch Government’s authority conduct such an investigation here. “I don’t know on what authority Mrs. Bijleveld can insist on this investigation.”

Instead of trying to make a mockery of the Antilles yet again, Duncan suggested that the money and time of the Dutch would be better spent investigating the birth rate or the troubles in the education system.