One definite advantage of Independence would be total control over all aspects of Bermuda governance, the Bermuda Independence Commission (BIC) said yesterday.

One definite disadvantage, however, is the possible loss of the EU passport and all that portends, commissioners added.

Despite what Governor Sir John Vereker has said in the past ? that historically those who choose Independence from Britain lose their British nationality ? commissioners said yesterday the issue is still open to negotiation with the British Government.

?We won?t hear from the British Government on that until after the British elections (on May 5),? commissioner Diana Kempe said.

If one hasn?t yet applied for the British passport available to all Bermudians ? ?Do so tomorrow,? Mrs. Kempe urged.

Invited to a class for seniors on Current Affairs at the Bermuda College yesterday, the BIC followed the now-familiar format employed at public meetings on the issue of sovereignty: recording questions and comments from the floor and providing what answers they could off the bat while promising to consider others.

Bermuda could join the United Nations today as an associate member if it wanted to ? Independent or not, commissioners said, with chairman Bishop Vernon Lambe explaining that many nations have taken that step as a preliminary step towards becoming a full member of the UN.

Though several seniors declared that Bermuda is already self-governing, commissioner Gary Phillips explained Britain still has reserve powers over four areas of governance: external affairs, defence and armed forces, internal security and the Police.

As for the democratic process itself, Mrs. Kempe said Britain is prepared to let Bermuda decide whether to vote on sovereignty by a General Election or a referendum, though the Governor has previously observed Britain?s preference for the matter to be decided by a referendum.

Should a General Election be held and the results be close, Mrs. Kempe said, England may intervene and require that a referendum be held before the matter is taken to the House of Commons.

The UK Government did not define a ?clear? result when the BIC asked, however, Mr. Phillips said. Instead, the British will decide ?at the time? if a result is too close to call.

The commission said its completed report ? due, Bishop Lambe noted firmly, in June ? should be released to the public and will include a recommendation to that effect in the report.

Whether the report will be released or not, however, is Cabinet?s call.

Also in the report will be a rough estimate of a budget for a theoretical Ministry of External Affairs, the Commissioners revealed ? though they stipulated that an actual budget for such a ministry would be dependent upon the Government of the day.

?We would propose something that is financially appropriate,? Mrs. Kempe said.

For example, she noted, the closing of Government House ? currently funded by Bermudian taxpayers ? would free up some $2 million which could then be used in a new Ministry of External Affairs.

After that, she estimated, possibly $2 to $3 million further, ?give or take?, could be needed.

Costs could be determined by the amount of consulates or embassies the Government of the day decides are necessary, as well as what changes are deemed necessary to areas such as the Bermuda Regiment and the Police.

Costs could also be mitigated by utilising consulates and embassies for trade reasons ? i.e. as bases from which to promote Bermuda tourism, international business, or any other economic pillars.

The cost of Independence will likely be dealt with at a Constitutional level, perhaps at a Constitutional conference held after the BIC?s report is submitted to Cabinet and after a Parliamentary debate on the issue of sovereignty is held.

The BIC also emphasised that Independence in today?s world does not mean standing alone.

Dual and triple nationalities are common, even among those with American passports, while the possibility of association with another country or group of countries was also emphasised ? though when commissioner Derrick Burgess mentioned that association with Canada, for example, would mean accepting all the taxes of that country, his comment was greeted with hearty laughter.

?Well, we did ask,? Mr. Burgess grinned.

When asked if, having already heard from the UN Decolonisation Committee on the 184 countries which have chosen Independence in the last 50 years, the BIC would be hearing from the 16 countries who have not yet chosen the path of self-determination, Bishop Lambe told that in June a session will take place at the UN targeting those 16 countries. ?We are looking to be represented (at that session),? he said.