BERMUDA'S pre-clearance privileges with the US "would not radically change" if the island were to go Independent.

That was what four members of the Bermuda Independence Commission heard when they met with US officials during a fact-finding mission last month.

In a press conference yesterday, BIC chairman Bishop Vernon Lambe quoted the director of the US Consular Affairs Policy Commission.

"An Independent Bermuda will not radically change the pre-clearance and visa privileges with the US," said the director.

"It is anticipated that because of the new post-911 Intelligence Reform Bill, pre-clearance and visa will come under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security in conjunction with the Department of Consular Affairs.

"The move is towards a 100 per cent passport entry policy for all countries (dependent or independent) by January 1, 2008. In other words, there will be no further entry to the US by birth certificate of driver's licence in the future.

"It was concluded that, as with other newly Independent countries, the US would recognise Bermuda's passports and would be prepared to work out any additional passport and visa arrangements in an amicable manner."

An Independent Bermuda would also maintain most of its existing treaties with the US.

The US director of Caribbean Atlantic Affairs told BIC that a newly independent Bermuda would have the right to 'successor obligation clauses' on treaties and agreements.

The director added that Bermuda had five bilateral agreements with the US on pre-clearance, coastal pollution, parcel postal prices, postal money orders and express mail.

"Clearly the US would want to continue these and other treaties with an independent Bermuda," the director said.

He added that should Bermuda sever ties with Britain, the US might want to convert its consulate on the island into an embassy, which would report directly to the US State Department.

However, Bermudians' rights, as far as the UK is concerned, would alter after Independence.

Governor Sir John Vereker revealed in a letter to the BIC last month that Bermudians without family ties to Britain would likely lose their rights to a UK passport, and with it, their right to live and work in European Union countries.

l The BIC has posted more information on its work on its web site www.bermudaindependencecommission.bm.