The following is the full transcript of the statement given by Health Minister Nelson Bascome, chairman of Government committee on CARICOM, at a public meeting at St. James' Church Hall, Sandys, on Wednesday evening.

Forward looking countries are making strategic alliances. These alliances support the countries' interests and provide additional protection.

Countries can have more than one alliance as the need dictates. Bermuda has well established alliances with the US and the UK. Bermuda should be looking to increase the benefits that can be derived from these alliances if we are to be a mature democracy and jurisdiction.

We have derived benefits in the area of sports, culture, health, trade unionism and education from our association with the Caribbean in the past as we do in the present. Considering an alliance with Caricom is the logical progression from previous linkages established with our Caribbean neighbours in areas of tourism, sport, health, culture and so on.

Bermuda has had observer status in Caricom since 2001 when the Premier was invited to attend the Heads of Government meeting. Observer status permits Bermuda to attend meetings of the Ministers of Government of the organisations of Caricom and to participate in discussions related to matters of mutual concern.

The Minister of Tourism, the Minister of Culture, the Minister of Transportation, and the Minister of Health and Family Services attended meetings last year and I will again be attending a series of meetings in Guyana next week.

Representatives from Bermuda can attend meetings and be involved in discussions. However, Bermuda cannot vote and influence decision-making of Caricom in matters that may be of interest e.g. the Caribbean Credentialing Model for sports coaches and administrators.

Also, observer status does not allow Bermuda to have access to project funding like other countries with different membership status. For example, various multilateral donors have also provided funds to Caricom for national HIV programmes. Funding has also been provided for the development of young sports persons. Caricom is developing a regional plan for the collection of social statistics and Bermuda could receive some of this funding as an Associate member of Caricom.

Bermuda is looking for greater benefits and protections through an alliance with Caricom.

Bermuda is considering Associate membership of Caricom, not full membership. This is a significant point worth repeating. Bermuda, like all other countries, can negotiate its own terms and conditions of joining. Membership is voluntary.

Bermuda's provisional application was considered at the Heads of Government meeting held during February 2002. Provisional application was necessary in order to get the ball rolling. Without making this application, it would not be possible to begin negotiations with Caricom.

The Government is keen to enhance Bermuda's status within Caricom from an Observer to an Associate member. We are considering the parts of Caricom that can be most beneficial to Bermuda so that we can craft an agreement accordingly. We wish to exclude from the agreement those parts of Caricom that do not fit the course and direction Bermuda has set.

There has been much talk about Caricom in the media and much of the resistance to joining Caricom has to do with elements related to full membership. I will say once again, we are only applying for Associate membership. Furthermore, in response to the fears expressed by segments of our community, the Premier, in our early discussions with Caricom, made it very clear that there are parts of Caricom that Bermuda will not be involved in.

The Premier has stated that if we make an alliance with Caricom:

Bermuda will not participate in the single market and economy. This means Bermuda will not engage in any economic policies or programmes. Bahamas has made the same decision and they are a full member. In that same vein, we do not subscribe to the free movement of labour across our borders. Government's work permit policies attest to this fact. Through our advertising policy, we have made it possible for qualified persons in the Caribbean to be aware of job availability in Bermuda. I must emphasise that we do not support the free movement of labour across our borders.

Bermuda will not join the Caribbean Court of Justice. There are plans in the Caribbean to establish and Caribbean Court of Justice that countries can use as the final arbitrator in the judicial process. This might be of benefit to other countries, but Bermuda has no plans to change our judicial system.

As a British Overseas territory, the United Kingdom manages our foreign relations. This responsibility cannot be shared with or given to Caricom.

I have told you what we don't want from Caricom, now let me tell you what we are seeking. We are looking for functional cooperation with Caricom. The Premier has made this point extremely clear. Bermuda is seeking functional cooperation with Caricom. What exactly does that mean?

Bermuda can benefit from regional programmes focussing on specific issues e.g. waste management, research and development. The Caribbean has made significant strides in environmental conservation, water pollution, disaster management, amongst others. These are issues of concern to Bermuda and most have a regional or hemispheric impact. Bermuda's participation in these discussions would assist us in finding solutions to these problems.

Association with Caricom will allow us to focus on shared concerns such as housing, health, crime, education, security, the environment, drug prevention, industrial relations and maritime issues. Drug interdiction is a regional problem that requires cooperation and support from all of our neighbours. Pollution in one country can invariably affect the waters of another, thus developing standards and protocols is in everyone's best interest.

While Bermuda has made strides in many areas, the experiences and expertise of multi-national organisations would be beneficial. Technical assistance with programmes like HIV/Aids and disaster preparedness would help Bermuda develop strategies consistent with Bermuda's size and development. Most of this technical assistance is obtained through multilateral agreements.

Associate membership can be tailored to suit Bermuda's needs. Bermuda's health and social programmes can be enhanced by using the technical knowledge of the many donor agencies that operate in the region. Bermuda can draw from the example of others.

Bermuda will have the opportunity in conjunction with Caricom to negotiate additional air links to Bermuda. One such arrangement being considered is Caricom's talks with South African Airways. This could offer an additional link to the Caribbean and open up other markets for Bermuda.

Crime, including illegal drug activity, is a major regional concern. Being associated with the Association of Caribbean Police Commissioners enhances regional strategies for security, particularly in the wake of September 11.

As a member of Caricom, Bermuda can negotiate with the universities and technical colleges for preferential fees for Bermudians studying in those establishments.

Sports and cultural opportunities will increase through Caricom's links with other multilateral governmental organisations. For example, opportunities are being created for students in Caricom countries to improve their foreign language by cultural exchanges with Mexico and Venezuela. Bermuda could be a beneficiary of this arrangement.

The benefits of joining Caricom have not yet been fully explored, however one of the objectives of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramus is "intensified activities in areas such as health, education, transportation and telecommunications".

Bermuda can lead the region in the e-commerce and telecommunications industries. E-commerce is becoming the international way of doing business. Bermuda is recognised as being a world leader in e-commerce. This expertise can be shared with our Caribbean neighbours which will provide business opportunities. Further, the development of e-commerce is dependant upon a highly sophisticated telecommunications system. Again, Bermuda is a world leader in telecommunications. In fact, in today's press, Cable & Wireless is reportedly looking at using the Bermuda model for application in the Caribbean region.

Bermuda is noted for the creative ways it has developed its financial services. The establishment of a regional stock exchange using e-commerce could be promoted by Bermuda with the exchange being based here.

As a world leader in insurance and reinsurance, Bermudian companies have already seen the wisdom of establishing branches in Caricom countries. Colonial Insurance is one of these companies taking advantage of business opportunities in the region.

In all of the above, Bermuda can play a lead role.

See Page 8 for coverage of

Wednesday night's meeting