Updated: June 3, 2005

Good afternoon.

On behalf of the government and people of Aruba, I would like to first and foremost pledge our full support and utmost dedication to the family of Natalee Holloway. We are behind the search effort and doing all we can to assist the local and international authorities.

We are shocked and completely distressed at this turn of events. Aruba’s police force and international authorities are doing everything in their power to find Natalee.

A thorough investigation is underway with the support of both local and international authorities. Hundreds of concerned Aruban citizens have also joined search efforts along with Americans residing on island and tourists. The massive island-wide search is taking place both on land and sea. Aruba Search and Rescue Teams, Dutch Marines, and Coast Guard, who have provided helicopters to assist the investigation from the air, are also aiding in efforts.

The government of Aruba has always made the safety and well being of our visitors a top priority. Learning the news of Natalee’s disappearance on our island left us all in a state of shock and disbelief.

Aruba has very strong ties to the United States, over half a million visitors came from the USA last year. We will not tolerate any activities that harm our American friends or tarnishes Aruba’s reputation.

We are blessed to be an island with very low crime rate and are grateful that the coverage of this incident thus far has reflected that. But again, right now the only thing that is important is bringing Natalee home to her family.

I know I speak for us all when I say the heart of the Aruban community is with the family and friends of Natalee during this difficult time. The outpouring of community support has been overwhelming and I do not expect that to stop until we have answers.

My request to the people of Aruba is to continue to provide tips, regardless of how small the information might seem, to the police. You do not have to provide your name. Please call 587 6222 with any and all leads.

Most important, we must all keep Natalee and her family in our thoughts and prayers.

Thank you.

Yes concerned traveller, action does speak louder than words.

Yes, do everything,bring in outside investigators, to immediately get to the bottom of this horrific crime.
Your reputation is on the line.You'll find the US citizens' will shun your island,upon hearing that anything less than hard and fast, information regarding her disappearance is forthcoming!

Having just visited, I can only say I am surprised at this development. Yvonne's and my heart goes out to the Holloway family.

I don't think anyone should fault the people of Aruba or their government officials. I would advise against the temptation to do so.

Rest assured, we'll be checking our trip film carefully for any sign of Natalee.

Wish we could do more.

Concerned Traveller - you need to get a grip!

There are a lot of places in the world (including most major cities in the US), that are a lot more unsafe than Aruba. It is unfortunate that this happened, and I believe we should not speculate until all the facts are known.

But are you serious? What country or city could possibly search every home and take DNA samples of every single person whenever someone goes missing? Have you not heard of civil rights? What if you were living in Aruba - or NYC - and the police had the right to at anytime search your home and require DNA samples from you? How long would you put up with this?

Aruba is not a police state, nor is it a crime-ridden haven. Again, this is unfortunate, but we do not have all the facts, so why don't we hold off judgement until we do?

Dear "Concerned Traveller":

Lay off the PM. Aruba's response has been exemplary. Take a minute and imagine how Jamaica (or even the U.S. Virgin Islands, for that matter.) would've responded. If you don't know, let me tell you: Some lethargic policeman would grudgingly fill out a report.

...What? You're waiting for more? That's it. Then you'd be on your own to find her.

Dear Concerned Traveller:
I take issue in what you have said and yes, I am an American who travels to Aruba every year. I, unlike you, do not feel that the "world will judge you as too unsafe for our tourist dollars". The public will feel badly about what happened in Aruba, their hearts will break if Natalee is not found safe but I and many, many others will continue to travel to Aruba. In a country where there are many tourists from many countries, Aruba has been blessed and very lucky not to have had something like this occur sooner. Be assured that the Aruba government is doing everything they can to find this young girl. If you don't feel safe going back, then don't go. Just don't think that "all the world" is going to follow your steps.

REALLY SUPPORTIVE THERE JACK ASS

As a parent of a 21 y/o who does travel to Aruba, I am far more worried about her disappearing in the US than I am with disappearances in Aruba. Kids are abducted almost daily in the US and exploited for various reasons. THe entire island of Aruba is the size of the very small city I reside in in Massachusetts. My prays are extended to this family for the agony they are enduring.

Concerned.....if you look at visitaruba.com
and missing persons, you will find that Natalee isn't the first person to go missing on the island.
Taking a DNA sample of every single person is completely unreasonable....and what might it prove?
Certainly, I too, hope that Natalee is found soon and unharmed. I'm certain that the Aruban authorities are doing all they can to help her family bring her home safely.
While Aruba may be one safe island, as has been proven time and time again, the more people who inhabit and visit, the more the rise in crime.
I'm sure your future travels to Aruba will be as safe as those in the past.