Mr. Bird -- a labour leader before going into politics -- headed the Antigua Trades and Labour Union from 1944 to 1970.

He helped lead the Antigua and Barbuda anti-colonial movement and was credited with facing down British sugar plantation owners in a bid to secure better working conditions for sugar company workers.

Ms Smith, accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Leo Mills, flew out of Bermuda on Thursday night.

The funeral will also be attended by Jamaican P.M. P.J. Patterson, Trinidad prime minister Basdeo Panday and president A.N.R. Robinson and St. Lucian prime minister Kenny Anthony.

CIVIL SERVANTS CONFERENCE CON Civil servants conference Top ranking civil servants will take part in a two-day conference next week in a bid to boost their management skills in a key area.

A Government spokesman yesterday said: "Information Technology has become a key ingredient to the successful management of Government Ministeries and Departments.

"This conference has therefore been designed to increase management skills in this area.'' The IT conference has been organised by the Departments of Personnel Services and Computer Systems and Services. It will be held at the Sonesta Beach Hotel on July 12 and 13.

It will comprise of four half day sessions presented by former Canadian Public Service senior executive Charles Belford who is now the president of Management Smarts Inc. -- a company which provides management consulting and training services to public and private sector organisations.