This was the first time that the young Joran van der Sloot has appeared on a taped-in-America-for-American-audiences interview and, in my opinion, he came across as a caring, decent, but confused (and who wouldn't be, with the firestorm that has been directed at him, his family, Aruba and The Kingdom of the Netherlands) teenager.

I have travelled as often as is possible to the Caribbean, and have always been impressed by the gentleness and friendliness of the people whom I have come into contact with. The dignity, politeness and genuineness displayed by this young Arubian speak highly of his Caribbean upbringing.

Quite probably, even had that young man not have told the fib about dropping the missing girl off at her Holiday Inn hotel, suspicion would still have fallen upon him, as he was the last person who has admitted to seeing her alive.

Fortunately, the in-America interviews recently completed by skilled Aruban police officers, ably assisted by the FBI, may finally confirm the statements, which Aruban Police Chief Dompig stated were in his possession, suggesting that Ms. Holloway was seen later that morning at the Holiday Inn premises.

Hester Heempster
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada