towards foreign powers to ensure the success of international drug busting laws.

The senator said new legislation involving worldwide cooperation to tackle high level crime such as drug importation will require Bermuda to assist other jurisdictions.

But he added -- referring to the recent objection by the Government to the appointment of lawyer Saul Froomkin as Honorary Consul for Canada -- they would have to be more friendly then they had been so far.

"This requires assistance and cooperation between one country and the other.

I do not think we will get that if the present behaviour is allowed to become everyday activity,'' he said.

"If one of these countries brings their warship here, we have got to treat them slightly better than we have been doing of late.'' Mr. Burgess said the legislation would help with the fight against crime, but could become worthless if a Government did not act properly.

He was speaking as the Senate passed the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation Bermuda) Amendment Act 1999.

Government Sen. Michael Scott said the Act makes provision for cooperation between countries on many different crime issues, particularly for cross-border drug operations.

Provision of evidence, assistance for countries monitoring and chasing vessels suspected of involvement in drug running, and sharing of information are included.

It also provides for vessels to sail into territorial waters while in hot pursuit on operations.

And it will enable Bermuda to call upon the Royal Navy for help in combating drug-runners, Sen. Scott added.

Government Senate Leader Milton Scott said the Act was forced on Bermuda by the UK Government as part of its obligations as an overseas territory.

"This was an international agreement that the UK said `Bermuda, you implement','' he said. "It is very important legislation, this makes it incumbent on us to be part of an international effort to eradicate drugs.'' And he said Sen. Burgess' comments about Canada and Mr. Froomkin were "far fetched''.

Sen. Calvin Smith (PLP) added: "If a Canadian ship was chasing somebody in Bermuda, we would be expected to help. I don't know why he (Sen. Burgess) feels there is some apparent disagreement with the Canadian Government.'' Sen. Burgess called for the Act to come under the umbrella of the Minister for Home Affairs, rather than Health, because of the Police and Customs involvement.

But Sen. Michael Scott said it was entirely appropriate that the Act was dealt with by the Health Minister Nelson Bascome.

The Senate also passed the Maritime Marriage Act 1999, which allows captains of Bermuda-registered ships to conduct marriages onboard their vessels.

They also approved the draft regulations of the Mortgaging of Aircraft and Aircraft Engines (Fees) Regulations 1999 and draft regulations of The Government Fees Amendment (no3) Regulations 1999.

Noted was the annual report of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries 1998 and the Government Fees Amendment (no2) Regulations 1999.

Sen. Michael Scott Sen. Maxwell Burgess