Subject: Re: Jan Mayen (was: EU or not)<br/>
Date: Sep 15, 2002 @ 13:31<br/>
Author: Kevin Meynell (Kevin Meynell &lt;kevin@...&gt;)<br/>
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<div id="ygrps-yiv-1999181586">Jan,<br/>
<br/>
<blockquote><span title="ireply"> &gt;We feel that Svalbard is the last West European autocracy where the <br/>
&gt;Sysselmann (Governor) has an absolute rule.<br/>
<br/>
 </span></blockquote>The Channel Island of Sark is pretty much an autocracy. The Seigneur leases <br/>
the land (at the exorbitant rate of GBP 1.79 per annum ;-)) from the <br/>
British crown in perpetuity and can pretty much do what he/she wishes.<br/>
<br/>
It&#39;s a strange situation as the island is included in the Bailiwick of <br/>
Guernsey for administrative purposes, but it&#39;s essentially self-governing <br/>
and retains its own laws. Sark does have a &#39;parliament&#39; known as the Chief <br/>
Pleas which represents the forty or so tenants on the island, but I think <br/>
this only has advisory powers.<br/>
<br/>
Regards,<br/>
<br/>
Kevin Meynell</div>