The Bermuda Independence Commission (BIC) report was released to the public.

Declaring that Bermuda can afford the costs associated with Independence, the report offered an annual cost range of $5.3-$14.7 million, depending on an independent Bermuda's Government policy.

The 600-page report included a summary of costs and their ranges, but warned: "The final cost of Independence can only be determined when Bermuda has made the decision to go independent and the Government of the day has made various policy decisions on the scale upon which an independent Bermuda would conduct its affairs."

Some of the questions raised included nationality and recommended that the Government explore the question of Bermudians retaining any British nationality as "a matter of urgency" while noting that the general British Government policy is to withdraw British nationality from citizens of newly independent nations unless citizens have family ties.

Despite rumours to the contrary, the report claimed all fears of mass exodus of international business from an independent Bermuda need not be entertained ? "so long as conditions remain favourable and competitive to such business in the country."

These and various other issues would be decided at a Constitutional Conference which would take place before Bermudians decided any questions on Independence, Premier Alex Scott said. He added that any final questions about how the country would move to self-determination would be decided before any final decisions are made.

The Premier added that this is what a General Election was all about: To answer such detailed questions as the state of a new tax regime or where to open consulates. "It has to be part of somebody's platform," he said.

The BIC also addressed social concerns in their report ? particularly the issue of race ? stating that throughout its research at public meetings, it was necessary to initiate a new dialogue to address this "insidious and pervasive issue, still unresolved in our society".

However within the report itself, the committee added that little real effort has been made to bridge the racial divide.

"Bermuda, whether independent or not, will have to ensure that the historical legacy of racism and its effects are addressed," the BIC warned.

The BIC did not make a recommendation for or against Independence, although the report did have a specific section outlining benefits of Independence, it did not have a section specifically detailing any drawbacks.

However, the BIC did fail to include a submission made to them on the topic of Independence by the United Bermuda Party (UBP) in its final report.

The PLP submission to the BIC was found at Annex 7 of the report, as well as the former UBP Government's 1995 Green paper and 1979 White Paper ? however the UBP's submission on its current position on Independence, made to the BIC on June 8, was not included.

BIC Commissioners did not comment on the reasons why, simply stating that they (Commissioners) agreed not to speak publicly about the report for 60 days after its release in order to give Bermudians time to read it thoroughly.

Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons said: "I was certainly surprised and disappointed to find that the UBP submission was not included in the final document whereas the PLP submission was."

Quoting statements made by Dr. Gibbons in 2004, the UBP submission reported that "the people themselves must determine Bermuda's destiny, not the British government, not the United Nations, not Cabinet Ministers and not MPs.

"The United Bermuda Party further believes we should not begin to debate the substantial issues of Independence unless the process has been clearly defined and agreed," Dr. Gibbons said, adding later: "The United Bermuda Party believes in and trusts the judgment of the people. The most democratic and least divisive vehicle to insure that the will of the people prevails is a referendum. Only in that way will every voice be heard and every vote count."

The UBP submission then went on to provide the BIC with resources and information on other countries who have made the decision on Independence as well as other issues via a referendum, detailing many instances in its submission itself and directing the BIC to where more information can be found.

In its report the BIC stated that it had found "no instance" in which Independence was decided by a referendum, while the PLP submission stated that it wanted a decision made on Independence made through a General Election.

Five days later Bermudians For Referendum handed over their petition to Premier Scott on the steps of Cabinet.

But what started off as the official hand-over turned into a full-blown debate when the Premier said "folks signed it and didn't even know what they were signing".

A group of about 30 members of the Bermudians for a Referendum (BFR) gathered at Cabinet to hand over the petition which had been signed by 35 percent of the electorate between November 15, 2004 and June 15 this year.

Premier Scott's comment was met by grumbling in the crowd and from organiser Michael Marsh, who was quick to point out that people who signed the petition knew exactly what they were signing.

The petition stated: "I am a registered voter in Bermuda and I believe that the issue of Independence for Bermuda should be decided by way of a referendum and not by a General Election."

But the Premier explained he was referring to a statement in the Press earlier in the month that stated some 3,227 signatures could not be confirmed as registered voters due to duplication, eligibility and the use of nicknames instead of registered names.