dependent territory, Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said yesterday.

Mr. Edness was responding to calls from Government backbenchers Mr. Trevor Moniz and the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto, who were quoted as saying they wanted citizenship rights for long-term foreign-born residents.

The MPs noted that Government's Independence position papers said foreign-born residents would be entitled to citizenship in an Independent Bermuda if they had lived in the Country for 20 years.

If it was a matter of fairness in dealing with long-term residents, the MPs asked why Government was unable to act now.

While noting there was no such thing as citizenship in a dependent territory like Bermuda, Mr. Edness said he was prepared to review with his Cabinet colleagues the present policies regarding long-term residents and Bermuda status.

"The Government has always been sympathetic to these folks' plight,'' he said. "We haven't found a logical or legitimate way that can be achieved in our present status.'' Citizenship granted in an Independent Bermuda would be "a one-time offer,'' with those eligible given one year to decide whether they wanted it, he said.

Since a policy on long-term residents would continue, "we're not talking about apples and apples here.'' Most Commonwealth countries that had gone Independent had offered citizenship to long-term residents "as a part of the almost celebration of Independence'', he said.