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[Odler]

http://www.jeanlouie.com/

Feb 26, 2004

Did you know that the Queen of England is also Queen of Trinidad? This is

done by the virtue of the Commonwealth of Nations, a political and trade

organization of 54 countries, most of them colonies of the ex-British

empire.

In the same context, the British monarch is also the head of independent

republics as diverse as Canada, Australia, and Sierra Leone.

The queen, once represented by the Governor-General of Trinidad, is now

represented by an elected president with real executive power.

The Constitution of Trinidad, revised in 1976, states in its Article 25:

?The person holding the office of Governor of Trinidad and Tobago at the

commencement of this constitution shall hold the office of President under

this constitution until a President is elected under the provisions of

this chapter.?

The influence of the monarchy on Trinidad is still significant, though the

island has been an independent republic since 1962. For example, Trinidad

don?t have a supreme court, the last recourse in legal appeal has to be

done to the Privy Council of England.

Is it the same for Canada?

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, stayed at the Upside Down Hilton last

night. Upon his arrival, at around 2:00 P.M., the lobby became a furnace

of security agents armed with walkie-talkies, of journalists and

photographers. A red carpet was rolled out. A steel band was assembled on

the restaurant floor. Why so much deference to the ex-colon?

Trinidad is also a member of the Caribbean trade organization, CariCom.

(Nota Bene: Since, yesterday, I have enjoyed reading a 109-page copy of

?The Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.? I bought it at

the Government Printery, in Port of Spain. Cover price: 50 T&T dollars?.)

(The Traveller, Friday, February 27, 2004)