LONDON -- Britain's pledge of a new partnership with its overseas possessions received a warm reception from Bermudian leaders and their allies yesterday.

Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, with new Overseas Territories Minister Baroness Symons, pledged a new relationship based on dialogue and mutual respect at yesterday's Dependent Territories Association conference.

"I am somewhat encouraged by the tone which sounded conciliatory,'' said Premier Pamela Gordon afterwards.

"The idea of a partnership shows they want to make a break from the past.

"Nothing has been proven yet, but we have to give them the benefit of the doubt.'' Ms Gordon also welcomed plans for a Dependent Territory Council made up of the heads of government which would meet once a year.

Opposition leader Jennifer Smith said there were few surprises in the speech, elements of which had been well publicised beforehand.

"But I am very happy that on the eve of the 21st century, Britain has at least said it plans to cut its ties to Empire and wants to reorganise its traditional, constitutional ties as a partnership.

"The concept is timely and it is the right thing to do.'' She added: "Bermuda needs to take a very close look at the Foreign Secretary's speech and read between the lines about what he said about fiscal and social policy before deciding where our future lies.'' She said Bermuda had to decide what it wanted before embarking on any talks with the UK.

And she called for public meetings and a House of Assembly debate on the issue. She said she would like to see a bipartisan committee set up to determine Bermuda's future.

"We have to look really carefully at it before jumping at what may appear to be a great opportunity,'' she said.

It was clear that Britain's future was tied to the European Community. As Britain makes decisions about its own future, Ms Smith said: "We have to decide where ours is.'' She also called for Bermuda to secure a strong representation for its interests in London.

She said Bermuda retained a lobbyist in the United States, but only had the Bermuda Society to represent it in Britain.

"We don't give London the same priority as Washington. We should be doing the same thing in London which has much greater control over our destiny.'' British Labour Party MP Diane Abbott, a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, said she was glad to see the Dependent Territories being taken seriously by Mr. Cook.

"I also welcome the plans for a single department for the Dependent Territories,'' she said.

"Before, the territories were totally marginalised. This is a great step forward.'' She added: "I am sorry the Foreign Secretary was not able to announce full citizenship for the territories. That would be a graceful way to end the Empire. I wish he could have gone further.

"The Dependent Territories have a lot to thank Soufriere Mountains for, because that is what brought this on,'' she said referring to the volcano crisis in Montserrat.

"Former Governor Lord Waddington, another advocate of UK citizenship for Bermuda, said: "I was very pleasantly surprised.

"I could not expect Mr. Cook to go further than that at this stage. Things are going our way.''