Bermuda's business community has condemned the Government's "drastic" decision to bring four Guantánamo detainees to the Island without due process, and asked that those in power now begin to repair relations with the UK and China.

The Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA), the umbrella group for the Island's overseas business interests, said it hoped this week's controversial actions by the Premier represented "an aberration and not a sign of a real change in approach".

Meanwhile the Chamber of Commerce said it is "gravely concerned" about the potential impact of the move.

BIBA CEO Cheryl Packwood spoke out yesterday afternoon, the day after locals organised a mass protest on Cabinet grounds demanding Premier Ewart Brown's resignation for failing to consult with his Cabinet, Governor Sir Richard Gozney, or UK authorities before approving the resettlement of four ethnic Uighurs in Bermuda.

Ms Packwood said the Government was "unprepared" to deal with worldwide media interest in Dr. Brown's move, which has made headlines in the national papers in the US, UK and further afield and attracted criticism from senior British politicians, most notably Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

She added that the Bermuda Government generally operates in a "transparent" manner when dealing with the business sector, and hoped last week's move represents a one-off decision.

"The international business community in Bermuda is concerned about the process and the nature of the making of this decision to accept these former Guantánamo Bay detainees," she said. "Unfortunately Bermuda's government was not prepared to deal with the international coverage of this decision. It is a drastic departure from the way government has always functioned in Bermuda and in particular the way government works with the business community, which is generally a very open, transparent, thoughtful and effective process. We hope this is an aberration and not a sign of a real change in approach."

Ms Packwood said that international business should only be affected minimally in the long run, as long as Bermuda's Government reaches out to the UK, China, and other trading partners to repair any damage done.

She added that the resettlement of the Guantánamo Uighurs has improved relations with the US in the short-term.

"The implications to international business should be minimal," she said. "We have not heard any clamouring from our clients and in the near term there is some benefit in our relationship with the United States. In order to ensure that we maintain our position, the Government will need to repair its relationship with the United Kingdom, China and other economic partners around the globe. We are willing to be a part of that effort when and if asked.

"It should be noted that the international press on this issue has lessened considerably from last week and it is in this regard that we see no major long-term effects. Bermuda remains a secure and reputable place to do business and the global business community knows and respects this. Our regulatory environment remains stable and secure. To that end, Bermuda remains head and shoulders above her competitors."

Ms Packwood said that BIBA will continue "closely monitoring the international press with its public relations firm".

Meanwhile, Chamber of Commerce president Stephen Todd said: "As concerned Bermuda business representatives, we consider it to be good business practice to have full disclosure on any and all issues especially those that may have an adverse impact to existing and future business operations in Bermuda.

"Similarly, we are concerned about any potential loss of business especially in the area of tourism, which could have a negative effect on retail, restaurants and related service providers. This could, in turn, affect all residents as lost revenue could potentially result in reduced earnings, job losses and or lay offs.

"Bermuda has traditionally enjoyed the enviable reputation of being a 'safe place' to conduct business...introducing an unknown element in the manner that we have could give rise to prospective new business entities shying away from us and seeking to operate in competitive jurisdictions."

Mr. Todd added: "In keeping with these concerns we also believe this will give rise to the issues that the business community have expressed in the past regarding current policy as it relates to the six year term limit and all other contentious immigration issues that the community, at large, have been unhappy with for some time. An example is the Portuguese residents who had to leave after having lived and worked in Bermuda their entire lives.

"The Chamber has received a number of communications and emails from potential visitors to the Island specifically condemning the recent developments. As we are gravely concerned about the potential negative impact on future business to Bermuda, we have already shared this information with relevant Ministries.

At press time a comment was being sought from a late request to the Premier's press secretary.