No final decision has been made about becoming an associate member of Caricom, and it will not be taken until after the House of Assembly has debated a paper in June, convenor Glen Blakeney told a meeting on Caricom in St. James Church Hall, Sandys Parish on Wednesday.

Former Tourism director Gary Phillips, a member of the Government committee looking at the issue, said Bermuda was an ethnic "soup bowl" with influences from Britain, the West Indies and Portugal, and was geographically isolated.

Premier Jennifer Smith had told the Chamber of Commerce last year that no man is an Island.

"That statement speaks to the challenge Bermuda faces in the 21st Century. Bermuda is impacted by world changes and challenges. September 11 showed how vulnerable Bermuda is to the US economy," said Mr. Phillips.

The US was Bermuda's "bread basket" and while the Island had a strong economy and low unemployment, there were problems such as drugs and developing infrastructure to address educational needs and revitalising tourism.

"We are dependant on and affected by world changes. Many countries are realising how isolated they are and countries have developed bilateral trade agreements," said Mr. Phillips. "The western hemisphere has 26 bi- or multi-lateral agreements.

"Globalisation and the increasing tendency to regional and hemispheric links makes it prudent and necessary for countries to form partnerships and foster mutual needs. Bermuda needs to develop connections like other countries.

"We have strong links to the UK and the US and these can be complemented and greater diversity achieved by instituting other connections as well. Caricom is just one of those connections.

"Bermuda's motto is Quo fata ferunt "'whither the fates lead us". It is the position of this committee that in today's changing world, we believe we should be the architects of our destiny, to manage our destiny, and for that reason we are giving consideration to Caricom."

Committee member and PLP MP Ottiwell Simmons said the laws and customs of Bermuda were rooted in Britain and just about every English-speaking Caribbean country was the same.

In the past, Bermuda has adapted legislation from countries such as Barbados, and laws in Bermuda have also been copied throughout the Caribbean, he said.

He said most people in the meeting had roots in the Caribbean. "Some in the room are first generation West Indies, and for the most part we we know we come from the British West Indies," he said.

There were also other business links, law firms had connections, there were trade union ties, and Bermuda's hotels were part of the Caribbean Hotel Association.

The Island had strong sporting connections and Mr. Simmons said it could be possible for Bermudians to be part of the West Indies cricket team.

After Health Minister Nelson Bascome, the chairman of the committee, gave his presentation (See Page 4 for Mr. Bascome's full speech) businessman Roger Davidson attacked the move to become an associate member.

Caricom members were competitors of Bermuda, and the Island did not export anything. "I've never seen any of the islands that have the standards Bermuda has or anything close, in hotels or streets, anything," he said.

"The public of Bermuda is being asked to risk the future to join with a group of islands and countries thousands of miles away whose interests are basically contrary to ours."

He said Guyana, where Caricom has its headquarters, has a 50-year history of racial strife between people of African and Indian descent. Britain had removed the Premier of Turks and Caicos because he was caught smuggling drugs to the United States.

Describing plans to join Caricom as "hare-brained," he said the Jamaican dollar was worth $1.15 US dollars 41 years ago. Today, it is worth 0.213 cents.

Mr. Bascome pointed out that Bermuda was not planning to joining Caricom's financial markets.

He said that although Associate membership would cost $98,000, the benefits of membership would be much greater.

PLP MP Reginald Burrows said history was important to the black community and they were extremely grateful to the black educators who came from the Caribbean to teach in places such as Berkeley Institute.

Former PLP parliamentary candidate Rodney Smith questioned whether Government would keep its promise on what it would not sign up to on Caricom because "you operate in secrecy.

"At the Bermuda College meeting (on Caricom) Sen. Calvin Smith said 'I can assure you the cost will not be more than $50,000'. Now we hear its $98,000.

"You are telling us what you are not going to do. You are telling us one thing, and it might be something else. Everything Caricom desires to achieve, we've already done.

"We have a better standard of living. We are the envy of the world. I get the impression you are selling us a bag of goods. You're saying one thing and doing something else."

Mr. Bascome replied that Sen. Smith had qualified his statement at the Bermuda College meeting because he did not have the figure.

West Indian Association president Trevor Fyfe said the "root fear" Bermudians had about Caricom was not based on good information.

"Any state can veto any proposal which is contrary to its national benefit. Caricom can't create law and it is voluntary," he said.

Bahamas, which is a full member, was not a member of Caricom's common market and Bermuda does not intend to join the common market.

"The Bahamas dollar is on a one to one with the US dollar. It has been a full member since 1983 and it hasn't suffered as a result. You can't have a debate going forward with half truths and misconceptions," he said.

Audience member Peter Smith asked if Bermuda could get out if Caricom was not working out, and was assured the Island can because it is a voluntary organisation.

Taxi driver David Hughes said white Bermudians who opposed Caricom did so because of racism.

"We have a problem with different ethnic groups in Bermuda and it always comes up with white people when people of a particular ethnic group come together here or elsewhere, there is another group of people of a certain complexion that follows and tries to destabilise," he said.

"All of our communities are segregated. We have a race problem of hairy proportions. People from England want to be associated with England - why can't I be associated with the Caribbean?"

Mr. Davidson replied: "It is most unfortunate that anyone that comes to a public meeting and is prepared to state their views is accused of being racist.

"I am a Bermudian and I am speaking for Bermudians, black, white and indifferent, who have a strong interest in the economic future of Bermuda. Anyone who tries to ties this to racism should really stop and think, because it is not. It is a community issue."

Another speaker said he thought the $98,000 would be the tip of the iceberg, because there would be ongoing heavy travel expenditure for meetings.

Mr. Bascome said: "I honestly believe the benefits of joining, in terms of what we will take and what we will give, just can't be weighed in financial terms."

Stanley Trott complained that Bermudians were just being given detailed information at the meeting and then being asked to give an input - just like the consultations over the Boundaries Commission. He said in future, information should be provided in advance, so Bermudians could make an informed input.

"I think this is a fait accompli. I have a problem with things like that being initiated because it seems totally unfair," said Mr. Trott.

Former United Bermuda Party MP J.C. (Kit) Astwood said he supported joining Caricom to give representation for people of Caribbean descent because similar arrangements had been made with Portugal.

"I wonder with all the heat generated if we are losing sight of issues, to give a small group of people representation back in their homeland. Special relations are good things to have," he said.

Mr. Bascome said there was a "jugular" link to the Caribbean because of the blood link between the Island and the region.

"I was glad the point of race was raised. We have to recognise that race is an issue around the world, not just in Bermuda. If we can eradicate here, I don't think we can eradicate everywhere, but we have to start," he said.

"Whilst racism was mentioned, sometimes we have to think of cultural racism, that is looking down our noses at other cultures and societies."