BRITAIN'S Prime Minister Tony Blair finished his week-long holiday on the island yesterday by thanking the people of Bermuda for respecting his family's privacy.

After meeting some of the island's young Carifta Games athletes at Government House, Mr. Blair gave a glowing assessment of the island as a holiday destination and said he would be happy to return.

In a prepared statement, Mr. Blair said: "At the end of my short stay in Bermuda, I just want to say a few words of appreciation and thanks.

"Bermuda is a wonderful place for a holiday. The island is spectacularly beautiful, the people are incredibly hospitable and friendly, and there is a lot to do. The way in which Bermuda has recovered so quickly and so well from the physical effects of Hurricane Fabian is truly remarkable.

"During my visit I have been delighted to have had the opportunity to renew my acquaintance with the Premier, the Hon. Alex Scott, and to meet members of his Cabinet.

"Among the other highlights of the week have been a game of football with some of the stars of Dandy Town and the Bermuda Police Service, a walking tour of St. George's and a quick look at Commissioner's House.

"My meeting today with the young Bermudian athletes who have participated in the Carifta Games is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of sport in providing opportunities for young people to test the limits of their strength, skill and endurance in friendly competition. I congratulate them all both on their sporting prowess and on their value as role models for the wider community.

"Let me just conclude by saying that I have particularly appreciated the way in which my family and I have been able to enjoy the many attractions that Bermuda has to offer without intrusion into our privacy.

"The way in which Bermuda provides a relaxing environment for its visitors is clearly one of its many charms. I would like to place on record my profound thanks to the officers of the Bermuda Police Service who have looked after me so well throughout, and to all who have helped us enjoy so much an island to which we would all be pleased to return."

Mr. Blair's holiday has come under attack from some sections of the British media, who have accused him of "going cruising and schmoozing" while British soldiers were fighting the war in Iraq.

Two protesters waited outside the gates of Government House in the pouring rain with anti-war banners to illustrate their feelings to Mr. Blair, just as six had done on the road from the airport on the Prime Minister's arrival last week.

Mr. Blair was scheduled to fly to New York yesterday to meet with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. And today he was due to meet US President George W. Bush in Washington, DC for talks touching on subjects including the war in Iraq and the situation in Israel.