The recent events with respect to the arrival on our shores by Chinese nationals has caused concerns by various people within our community. Therefore, the validity of giving sanctuary to these men has been brought into question.

As a consequence of the publicity and the actions taken by members of the community, people have asked me for my own views. Notwithstanding the facts, I chose not to make a statement to further inflame what was already an emotional situation. I valued our relationship between Britain and the United States of America and, as a result, resorted to my underlying principle of do no harm to these relationships.

Serious mistakes were made legally, constitutionally and administratively in the resettlement in Bermuda of these four Chinese nationals of Uighur ethnicity. I do not intend to belabour the mistakes that were made because many members of the public, commentators, journalists and politicians of both sides of the political divide have covered these mistakes comprehensively and adequately. Many people exercised their democratic right to protest publicly. Additionally, the Premier has admitted that if he had to do it over again, he would do it differently. He has apologised to the people of Bermuda, his colleagues and Parliament.

In the court of public opinion, I can understand and appreciate the concerns and anger that this decision caused. We must now recognise that the Chinese nationals are on our shores and are not likely to depart, particularly in light that they may be at serious risk if returned to China.

We must in no way blame them for their presence here as this seems to be their only choice and, after all, we were all at one stage or the other made welcome to these shores.

The Americans have been the stalwarts of our economic development almost from the time of our existence and it has been done with a spirit of cooperation that has almost been unparalleled by any other country. The British have been the providers of our constitutional system and have always represented us favourably even when it came to our external relationship with other countries.

These relationships with the Americans and the British need to be preserved and enhanced, particularly when we are emerging into a new world order that will define many aspects of how we live. We should not allow anything to harm our protection and identity. Therefore, the philosophy of do no harm should prevail and, whatever is our internal politics, should not be confused by distracting us from our external relationships, particularly with the United States and Britain.

For these reasons I have chosen not to participate in this debate as I did not want to stoke the flames of our discord and further polarise Bermudians. Now, however, I suggest Bermudians go forward and keep in mind the Serenity Prayer, and I quote: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."