Members of the United Nations Decolonisation Committee (Special Committee of 24, or SC-24) arrived on the Island last night to begin talks with Bermudians about the process of going Independent. The SC-24 has been helping countries move to sovereignty for more than 40 years.

The delegation, which has already met with members of the Bermuda Independence Commission during the BIC's fact-finding trip to the US several weeks ago, is due to meet again with the BIC for a luncheon today.

A public meeting is scheduled to take place with the SC-24 at the St. George's Cricket Club from 7-10 p.m. tomorrow night, while a second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday night at the same times at the Somerset Cricket Club.

The delegation is scheduled to make presentations to and answer questions from the BIC on March 31, with a further public meeting to be held at the Devonshire Recreation Club that evening from 7-10 p.m.

BIC chairman Bishop Vernon Lambe encouraged Bermudians at a public meeting last Thursday to come out and ask questions of the SC-24, who he said are expecting grassroots contact with Bermudians.

The United Bermuda Party has expressed strong reservations about the group's visit to Bermuda, with Leader Grant Gibbons voicing doubt over the need for the UN's presence on the Island - and concerns about how Bermuda will appear on the world stage if the country cannot sort out its issues on its own, without UN intervention.

SC-24 chairman Julian Hunte declined to an interview with The Royal Gazette before arriving on the Island. The BIC hopes the delegation will visit the Island again at the end of May, this time to speak with politicians including Premier Alex Scott.