Beginning in this issue The Bonaire
Reporter will begin coverage of the upcoming referendum designed to assess the sentiment of Bonaire voters regarding the structure of its government.

The aim of the Chronicle team of editorial and staff writers is to inform, not to influence public opinion or "sell" a particular option.
Critical comments, useful additions and questions by the readers will be warmly welcomed and published whenever possible
Active co-operation and exchange of information is sought with the local/regional media (press, radio, TV), and the official Referendum Commission. Any item in the Referendum Chronicle can be freely quoted and/or downloaded via Internet. The information sought will be culled from independent sources: in Bonaire, the Netherlands Antilles, the Caribbean region, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the EU.
We think the referendum is important because, even though it is a "consultative," non-binding vote, the outcome may well determine the future of our island.
When voters go to the polls in June they will choose from several alternatives to current relationships with Holland and the other Antillean islands. The exact questions have yet to be formulated. The Reporter pledges to take no side in the issues. Our "chroniclers" will bring forward pertinent information weekly. The first article follows.
We believe that an even-handed approach is so important that we will devote considerable space and resources to the referendum issue from now until the vote.   Our stories will address historical, financial, legal aspects and more as well as the different options. Upcoming articles will cover:
1. What is the Significance of a Referendum
2. Main Option A: Continuing (but improving) the Existing Constellation of the Land N.A

3. Main Option B: A County/ community (gemeente) of the  Netherlands, under Dutch and  EU Law
   

On Saturday, March 6^th, the first official panel discussion/information gathering organized by the newly installed referendum commission was held during the Rincon Marché, 'Bou di Ramada.'
The participating members were the two members of the commission:
Chairman C.J (Hans) Els,Ph.D, and E.A. (Arthur) Sealy. The two invited guest panel members were Carlene Peterson (a Bonaire-based lawyer) and Eugene Abdul (a lawyer , former Lt. Governor  of St. Eustatius and member of the referendum commission of St- Martin in 1994). Ms. Peterson described some advantages and disadvantages of the referendum options. As an example she stated that a direct link to the Netherlands as a province will result in higher social security fees for employers while this will be an advantage for the employees.
Mr. Abdul introduced himself by stating that he is participating on his own behalf, independently from any political party. He gave a short historical and legal 

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