counter-strike to combat complaints about unfair treatment by telephone giants Cable & Wireless.

Sen. Richards met with groups of business people this week to explain Government's position on competition in the overseas telephone market.

He started a PR blitz after Cable & Wireless took out adverts in The Royal Gazette claiming Government protection for newcomers TeleBermuda International was hitting them too hard.

C&W claimed its hands were tied to ensure they could not compete fairly with TBI.

Sen. Richards said: "I wouldn't say people were worried -- but there were a lot of misconceptions out there.

"I'm just telling them the truth -- our side of the story as it relates to these things which have been appearing in the papers,'' he said. "They are trying to lay the blame at the feet of the Bermuda Government, but what we are doing is benefiting Bermuda.'' Sen. Richards said C&W had been exempted from tax until about 15 years ago and had made huge profits as the monopoly provider over the years.

"Cable and Wireless are not the injured party -- they have made a whole lot of money in Bermuda,'' he said. "What hasn't happened is Government coming up with a compilation of facts and events which led up to where we are today.'' Government had asked C&W to provide it with information in order to "provide them with some flexibility''.

"They haven't done that -- they can't just expect us to roll over because they want to do something.'' BUSINESS BUC SENATOR SEN