In the event of a total evacuation of Montserrat, Bermuda will offer residence to islanders with local connections, Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness confirmed yesterday.

Government said this week it would take in 25 refugees if the volcano-stricken Caribbean island was evacuated.

Mr. Edness said Government would try to accommodate those who had relatives or friends already in Bermuda. They would then be given residency for a period of two years.

"If the Montserratian situation hadn't improved by then, they would be to stay longer,'' said Mr. Edness.

"We're obviously looking for those who, once settled, could look after themselves and who already have links to the Island to help them.'' Government would also help the Montserratians settle in, helping out with accommodation, schooling, and other assistance, said Mr. Edness.

"A good number of Montserratians have already been accommodated in Britain and other Caribbean islands; we're a small Island with limited resources but we're trying to do our part.'' Mr. Edness' comments were backed up by Premier Pamela Gordon, who late last week told the British Broadcasting Corporation that Bermuda was not standing idly by.

"As soon as we were made aware of the crisis, we offered assistance in a number of ways, and have kept in touch with authorities there,'' she said.

In addition to receiving 25 residents, Government has also agreed to match, dollar-for-dollar, all donations to the Red Cross Montserrat Appeal fund.

"As a matter of fact, we are now in the process of sending $18,000 to Montserrat immediately as our matching donation to that fund,'' Ms Gordon said. The Red Cross will keep the fund open until the end of the year and Government will match all subsequent donations.

The Government is also making it possible for a professional husband and wife team to come to resettle in Bermuda; the wife is a medical practitioner and her husband is a veterinarian.

"We empathise with any small island country in whatever difficulties they may experience, because we too may be in a similar situation... We are committed to doing everything we can to help whenever we can, within the scope of our limited resources,'' the Premier said.