The UK Government?s top lawyer has warned of the importance of all overseas territories pulling together in the fight against international terrorism.

Speaking at a conference of Attorneys General for British Overseas Territories which opened in Bermuda yesterday, Lord Goldsmith referred to the devastating July 7 terror attack in London last year and the attempted bombings on July 21.

?We have not been alone in the attacks taking place and the point I want to emphasise is the global nature of terrorism. No one ? no territory, no matter how small ? can hide as these desperate criminals act globally,? he said.

He emphasised the importance of all the territories working together to counter this threat, since terrorists do not recognise boundaries.

?In a prosperous, important financial country such as Bermuda, it?s important to note that no one can hide from these issues,? he said.

Lord Goldsmith ? the Attorney General for England and Wales ? said terrorists would always seek ways of sending their finances across international borders.

?They are not stupid. They will always find the weakest link,? he said, ?that?s why its for every territory to have the strictest protection against terrorism and organised crime?.

Speaking to afterwards, Lord Goldsmith added: ?People who benefit from the great prosperity of Bermuda will sometimes say it?s inconvenient and burdensome to have to comply with money laundering regulations, but it?s essential.?

The conference, which is hosted by Lord Goldsmith in one of the territories annually and is based this year at the Grotto Bay resort, has brought together Attorneys General from as far afield as Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands and Montserrat.

Among the discussion topics on the agenda for the conference, which concludes tomorrow, are the policing of economic crime in small jurisdictions with a financial centre, witness protection and forensics, and alternatives to prison for non-violent drug addicts.

An update on the UK Government?s policy on overseas territories will be given by the head of the Overseas Territories Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the constitutions of some of the territories ? not including Bermuda ? will be discussed.

Senator Larry Mussenden, Attorney General for Bermuda, welcomed the delegates to the opening of the conference yesterday morning ? an event also attended by Premier Alex Scott and Governor Sir John Vereker.

Describing the event as an important one for all the territories, Sen. Mussenden said: ?We are keen to share our policies, legislation and ideas.?

Sir John Vereker said: ?Bermuda is an incredibly beautiful, prosperous, and well-managed island. Being beautiful, prosperous and well managed does not mean we are entirely free of problems and some of those problems appear on the agenda.?

Mr. Scott spoke of the importance of sharing ideas about criminal law reform. He highlighted the tough bladed weapons legislation brought in last year as a move that has had a tangible effect in reducing crime in Bermuda. He also welcomed the recent passing of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, which is set to modernise the Police service.

Police Commissioner George Jackson and Director of Public Prosecutions Vinette Graham-Allen will be among those attending the final sessions of the conference tomorrow.