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ARLD035 DX news
 
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QST de W1AW  
DX Bulletin 35  ARLD035
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  June 30, 1995
To all radio amateurs   
 
SB DX ARL ARLD035
ARLD035 DX news
 
The ARRL DX Advisory Committee (DXAC) voted 15 to 1 to suspend further study 
of the status on Aruba until the Netherlands and Aruba have announced a 
change in the current move towards independence for Aruba originally slated 
for 1996.
 
In the same ballot, the DXAC voted 9 to 7 against recommending the addition 
of Scarborough Reef to the DXCC countries List.
 
Those who voted against the recommendation cited membership opinion within 
their respective divisions.  Some went on to state an opinion that the rocks 
that comprise the reef do not constitute islands, and for that reason no 
operation from the reef can be considered ''land based.''
 
Those who voted in favor felt that Scarborough Reef meets the criteria that 
were in effect at the time the petition was received.  Several cited 
membership opinion in their divisions.
 
In membership correspondence to the entire DXAC, 157 persons (72) were 
against adding Scarborough and 61 were in support of new country status.
 
DXAC Chair Garth Hamilton, VE3HO, stated, ''The Minimum-Size Rule was not 
applied to this petition.  DXAC members made a judgment in accordance with 
the DX communities they represent.''
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