for using "fear tactics'' to push its supporters into Independence.

His comments came at a Pembroke West constituency meeting on Independence attended by about 60 people at the Pembroke Community Centre last night.

"There is the impression of `vote for us or else'. I'm sorry it's being done,'' he said. "It's a fear tactic and I don't appreciate it at all.'' Bermudians should approach Independence rationally, he said.

"Saying `we are the good guys' is not a reason for going Independent. You should not go Independent with the UBP because it would be worse to go independent with the PLP. That is not a rationale for Independence,'' Dr.

Terceira said.

On whether UBP and Government television advertisements were biased toward Independence, Dr. Terceira claimed he had not yet seen them.

Fellow panelist and UBP MP Dr. David Dyer said Government had made an "unholy mess'' of the issue when asked if he questioned Government's policy on Independence.

Government was especially at fault for failing to put Independence on its election agenda.

The public, he said, should have been informed "straight up'' of Government's intention. Instead it sent a disturbing message to international companies in Bermuda that anything could "come out of the hat at a moment's notice''.

"Surely it cast doubts in our minds and in the minds of the people we do business with,'' he said. "They must have concerns that the elected government failed to inform its people about its intentions.'' On the day of the 1993 election, the Premier had categorically denied Independence would be an issue over the next five year term, he said.

Bermudians had not been told the "whole story'' on what Independence meant for the Island, Dr. Dyer claimed.

"I personally have serious doubts about the ability of the current administration to lead us into a clear understanding of what Independence really means for Bermuda,'' he said.

Without a White Paper to back proposed policy set out in the Green and position papers, Bermudians simply had to have faith that they were being told all the facts.

He compared Government to a man in a rowboat "looking in one direction and rowing in another''.

Dr. Terceira said Bermuda's hold on the international company market was fragile with businesses poised to pull out if Bermuda opted for Independence.

Bermuda was now on a par with the Cayman Islands in attracting exempted companies when once it took the lion's share.

"They can leave so easily. That is the reality that is going on.''