appears to be a hit list of suspect financial jurisdictions. Premier Pamela Gordon and Finance Minister Dr. Grant Gibbons are intent on preventing the damage to Bermuda that would be caused by inclusion on that list. Some 30 countries are targets for this list and have been asked to submit information on how they work. Some countries may refuse to submit information.

Bermuda has made its submission and the Premier has been quoted as saying, "We feel we have made a good case on Bermuda's behalf. Our record as a responsible member of the global economic community is extremely good -- perhaps the best of those countries the OECD has asked for further information.'' Bermuda's reputation as a responsible, mature and constructive member of the world's economic community is vital to every person in this Country. Bermuda's economic future could be very badly hurt if current and well publicised negotiations do not go in Bermuda's favour.

This is not a local political issue. It is an international situation of which Bermuda is only a tiny part. It might be easy for people to overlook the importance of what is going on especially since it comes at a very busy political time for Bermuda during the approach to a General Election. However, none of us should underestimate the tough and delicate job Premier Gordon and Finance Minister Dr. Gibbons are facing.

As nearly as we can tell, Bermuda's representatives have made Bermuda's case forcefully and have made it clear that, as the Premier has said, this is not a lawless frontier town where anything goes.

That is a difficult message for tiny Bermuda to get across to the "big boys''. The "big boys'' have no real cause to care about tiny Bermuda or to bother themselves to find out how Bermuda really works and how well it functions and behaves.

It takes talent and ability and perseverance to get the message across to them that Bermuda is not and never has been a fly-by-night tax haven and that it is a responsible player in the world economic community.

What we think is really happening is that the "big boys'' are getting angry that some of the "small fry'', notably Bermuda, are doing so well economically and attracting so much international business.

This is a difficult and delicate time for Bermuda and there seem to be pressures from all directions, especially with the ongoing Dependent Territory talks. We think Bermuda is being very well served by a Premier who is tough and outspoken and a Finance Minister who is known to be both extremely capable and highly intelligent. Together they make a great team and one which cannot be dismissed by the "big boys''.