...'Playing of 'God Save The Queen' not a decision of UWI'

THE EDITOR, Madam:

THE UNIVERSITY of the West Indies wishes to publicly disassociate itself from an impropriety which took place at the concert held in the University Chapel on Sunday, November 5, 2000, when the British National Anthem "God Save The Queen" was played at the start of the evening. It appears that because the Governor- General had given his patronage, it was assumed that this implied his presence, but a check with Kings House confirms that he had not, in fact, been invited to the performance, and this misunderstanding caused a delay in the start of the evening of some 35 minutes.

The University wishes to stress that neither the Vice Chancellor nor the Principal was aware that this procedure was contemplated. It should not be necessary to emphasise that the Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke, who is the representative of the Queen of Jamaica is a proud Jamaican who always expects, and is accorded, the playing of the Jamaican National Anthem in recognition of his presence, and we venture to assume that he would be at a loss to understand the thinking behind this deviation from what is normal and correct practice.

The University wishes to make it clear this action was taken by a private individual and should in no circumstance be taken as representing the thinking of this Caribbean institution of which independent Jamaica is a major contributing country.

I am,

REX NETTLEFORD

Vice Chancellor

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