of Bermuda are not preparing to fly out to Somalia.

Pictures beamed around the world yesterday from the trouble-torn African state of Somalia showed people carrying banners mentioning Bermuda.

One read "The inhabitants of Bermuda are ready to co-operate with the multi-national forces.'' And even stranger was the radio report last night on the VSB station stating that a banner had been spotted on CNN news thanking the people of Bermuda for their aid effort.

But The Royal Gazette can reveal that the Bermuda mentioned in the banners related to a small northern enclave near the "green line'' that cuts through the bombed out capital city.

The people of that small community -- too small for many maps -- are supporting the multi-national forces, after enduring hard times close to the war zone.

CALL OUT THE REGIMENT -- Well perhaps not. Despite local radio reports to the contrary this banner, spotted in Somalia, is not what it seems. (See story below.)