CIA Factbook The World Factbook 1994: Saint LuciaGovernment Names: • conventional long form: none • conventional short form: Saint Lucia Digraph: ST Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Castries Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse La Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux Fort Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Constitution: 22 February 1979 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: • chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Stanislaus Anthony JAMES (since 10 October 1988) • head of government: Prime Minister John George Melvin COMPTON (since 3 May 1982); Vice President George MALLET (since NA) • cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: consists of an 11-member body, 6 appointed on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 2 after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups House of Assembly: elections last held 27 April 1992 (next to be held by April 1997); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(17 total) UWP 11, SLP 6 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Workers' Party (UWP), John COMPTON; Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP), Julian HUNTE; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), George ODLUM Member of: ACCT (associate), ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: • chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Joseph Edsel EDMUNDS • chancery: Suite 309, 2100 M Street NW, Washington, DC 30037 • telephone: (202) 463-7378 or 7379 • FAX: (202) 887-5746 • consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados) Flag: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border