hinted yesterday.

The Premier was responding to Opposition Senate Leader Max Burgess who challenged the parties to make it clear where they stood on the issue.

Ms. Smith said: "As I have stated repeatedly, consistently and unequivocally since assuming the leadership of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, I shall state once again for the record -- independence is not an issue that we will address in our first term and probably not in our second term.'' She added: "We believe that there are a number of areas that need addressing before Bermuda heads down this road.'' Ms. Smith declined the opportunity to elaborate further in her faxed statement to the Royal Gazette .

Senator Burgess said: "My view is we will hold her to her word. I am glad to hear that, we now know where we stand.

"That's good enough for me. It's crystal clear for the whole country. Now we can get on with the other problems that face us.'' Sen. Burgess, who is a supporter of independence, was asked if he was disappointed the issue would not be raised at the coming election.

He said: "We now know we don't have to worry about it being raised suddenly on the eve of the election so my speech was very successful.'' However pro-independence PLP supporter Walton Brown said the statement still left open the door for the next election platform to include a bid to split from Britain.

He said: "If the platform doesn't contain something on independence you will have a very substantial element of the PLP disappointed but let's wait until we get to that point -- it hasn't happened yet.

"She (Premier) has not given a definitive `no' that it won't be addressed at the next election.

"My understanding is that it's the party executive that forms the electoral strategy.

"I believe it has to be addressed. I still hope that there will be a recognition that Bermuda's position is increasingly untenable given what's taking place. Globally Bermuda needs the flexibility to make it's own position.

"I believe very strongly there is an element in the PLP that want to put it forward and I am sure their views will be reflected as the party proceeds.'' The PLP has always favoured independence since its inception and has said it would put the issue to an election rather than a referendum, meaning that it could be 2008 before voters get to decide the issue.

Recently axed Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson said he feared the PLP leadership were backtracking on the issue.

He declined to comment further last night but would only say that his views still held.

Independence hopes dashed Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon, who on Tuesday said her party did not have independence as a front burner issue, said of the Premier's statement: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

"We take the Government's actions over their words.

"In February last year they were asked if there was going to be constitutional reform that year.

"They said no, then six months later they were putting forward a motion for constitutional reform. We will see whether their word can be trusted or not.'' A senior PLP source attacked the Premier's stance.

He said: "This will probably lead to Jennifer Smith's demise, it's a basic principal philosophy. To say not in this term or the next, that's nonsense.

"They should be establishing bi-partisan committees to educate the people, to deal with their fears and organising forums, not just turn it down blindly.'' Anti-independence Opposition MP Trevor Moniz welcomed the Premier's statement and said Bermuda had been put through the wringer by the 1995 vote in which voters backed sticking with the UK.

He said: "I don't think it's time to raise it. And we don't want to be like Quebec and keep having divisive referendums.''