LONDON -- British newspapers yesterday praised Foreign Secretary Robin Cook's plans for Britain's remaining overseas possessions but most criticised him for not making a formal offer of British passports to the territories' citizens.

Almost all of the "quality'' broadsheet newspapers, along with the tabloid Daily Mail, gave the speech wide coverage, and all the broadsheets published editorials on the issue.

The coverage along with the reporting on Mr. Cook's diplomatic trip this week to the Middle East to try to resolve the Iraq crisis contrasted with the coverage of a row over whether he tried to hire his mistress for a job in the Foreign Office, which previously dominated the front pages.

"The Independent has recently had its problems with Mr. Cook, but yesterday he did a good thing,'' that newspaper said. "The Foreign Secretary made a brave start at addressing the problems of Britain's remaining colonies; now he must go further.'' It said the demands for better financial regulation and respect for human rights were "only reasonable if these places are to continue to have close ties to Britain''.

It added that using Hong Kong as an excuse not to grant passports to the other Dependent Territories was "a pathetically poor piece of reasoning''. And it said the main opponent was the Home Office, "where plenty of ignoble spirits still find a home''.

The newspaper also called for Dependent Territories to be given a vote and a voice in the British Parliament.

The Daily Telegraph praised Mr. Cook's intentions but said the failure to offer citizenship was a disappointment. It added that higher financial regulations demanded in the speech by 1999 were justified.

It added: "There is less case for his warning about excessive borrowing, given the territories' good record, and none for hectoring those which retain the death penalty (Bermuda) and judicial corporal punishment (four Caribbean colonies).'' The Times described Mr. Cook's speech as an "overdue bargain'' to the Dependent Territories and said the conditions laid out by Mr. Cook were reasonable, although it predicted some territories would not like them.

"But a modern relationship means that as future British citizens, the overseas residents must live up to the standards demanded in this country,'' it said.

The Guardian backed the call for citizenship. "They have given much over the years; recognition is the least they deserve.'' IMMIGRATION IMM