The current movement by Government and individuals to appease the far-left wing of the PLP party on issues or work permits and international business in general is more than misguided. It is completely disloyal to this country's future. The PLP should be doing all they can to reassure and support this vital economic segment. As goes international business, so goes this economy.

This lack of support for the viability of international business couldn't comes at a worse time. We recently had the OECD breathing down our necks, the IRS right behind them, and now the US Congress is being petitioned by major US companies to further damage our attractiveness to international business. Not only that, but America's leading newspaper, The New York Times, has poured a gallon of gasoline onto an already smouldering disaster. Articles two days running have detailed the efforts of some of the US competitors of our locally based international business to have the US Congress change the tax laws to eliminate loop holes that make Bermuda attractive to the insurance industry.

In effect, they are trying to eliminate with extreme prejudice some of Bermuda's most successful companies, companies that contribute greatly to this Island. If you think for one minute that the Representatives and Senators there will take into consideration how much money these companies bring to Bermuda, their charitable donations, their community activism, the Bermudians that they hire now and in the future as well as how much we depend on them for our standard of living, you are either naive or thick. Go south and ask the islands that depended on banana sales to Europe for a large part of their income and were aided by a tariff system titled in their favour. The US Government went to bat successfully for the giant American banana companies, which grow their bananas in South America, no less, before the World Trade Organization. Even though Congress must have been fully cognizant of the disastrous effects this would have on these very small isolated economies, it made no difference. Neither will the resultant damage to Bermuda make a difference to the US Government if these companies can make a good case for their cause. To believe otherwise is to ignore recent history. There are enough challenges in the global marketplace without adding to them. Tourism will take a resurrection of biblical proportions to ever regain its former glory, mainly because even if we get our tourism act together, there are far too many places for people to visit these days that are cheaper, closer, more to do, etc. etc. Visit Maui and explain to me why someone should choose Bermuda instead? Distance is not much of a factor in air travel, Maui has a lot to do, can be done on the cheap easier in places like Lahaina and Kihei and the resorts are world class with fabulous service across the board. And as far as eco-tourism is concerned, there is no comparison; two dormant volcanoes, rainforest, mountains, desert and ocean all in one island. And Maui is just one of many resort areas Bermuda is competing against. So let's face facts; tourism will probably never be the main pillar of the economy it was and we may indeed see further decline in that area. We need to recognise which side of the bread our butter is on, not just for the now, but for the future as well. We should be assisting in every possible means the industries that are operating successfully and contributing to the economic well being of this country. I am not suggesting that tourism should be ignored or neglected as it will always be a part of this countries economy and culture, but it is time to acknowledge that the long range plan for this country should be geared towards attracting, keeping and assisting international business.

In a community this size there needs to be limits on work permits, foreign property ownership and so forth, but instead of like some despotic regime dictating these policies in a vacuum without the input of the international business community, come to a compromise that benefits Bermuda in the long term with their involvement from beginning to end. The current trend and atmosphere does the opposite. The international businesses are going to have enough challenges ahead without the biggest beneficiary of all, Bermuda, adding to their problems.

The world economy is brutally efficient and merciless. Stumble once, and the herd headed ever towards the water hole of economic prosperity and stability, will pound you down into the dirt as they run over your carcass. Why Government Ministers are worried about off-the-cuff remarks by someone saying they should be shot when they are doing a fine enough job of shooting themselves, albeit in the foot and not the head, is beyond me. The earsplitting report you will hear if their continues will be the sound of the economy being summarily executed. Anyone want to go back to the revenue levels of 15-20 years ago, while the rest of the herd is making economic leaps and bounds and everything we import is at year 2000 plus prices? Keep this up and we will.

MIKE BEARDEN Warwick Great love for Bermuda March 8, 2000 Dear Sir, I have been avidly reading your newspaper since I arrived on Sunday. There have been articles that have been joyful, as well as news that is troubling.

We in the states have much the same occurrences that are now plaguing our 21st Century societies. Let us all hope, and pray, for a better world.

I am here, incidentally for my 18th time, now attending the Travel Agent Convention for ASTA (the American Society of Travel Agents). It is our hope to continue the close relationship that the Americans have had with Bermuda over the years. I am a bit of a "Bermudaphile'', having arrived on your shores in 1965 on The Queen of Bermuda . I visited the old girl (at least pieces of her) at the maritime Museum yesterday, and it brought back fond memories of a past life.

I was also able to see yet another part of Bermuda I have not yet had the occasion to visit. A friend, and a new ASTA International member, Ms Joanne Veney, of Travel Planners in Hamilton, invited me to see the Bermuda Royal Yacht Club. She had a private party there last evening, and I was thrilled to finally enter this world-famous club. I was able to meet many other Bermudians, who welcomed me most heartily.

I look forward to my remaining days in Bermuda with your Department of Tourism, under Minister David Allen. He has done a capital job promoting Bermuda to the rest of the world. I look forward to coming once more as a "Stranger in Paradise'', albeit a welcome one.

ANNE BOLTON NERONI Vice President North Carolina Branch Have to be more positive March 13, 2000 Dear Sir, People of Bermuda, I am writing because it hurts to see my brothers and sisters fighting amongst each other over such petty things. Where has the unity gone to? Why do we find it so hard to show each other love, yet so easy to stab or chop someone? I see it as a sign of times.

This may sound silly, but I think that most of the problem is the music that we constantly fill our heads with practically every song is about killing.

People nowadays act out of anger and rage, then want to be sorry afterwards.

Does sorry help when someone looses a finger, arm or even their life!? No-one wins in this situation.

Personally, I feel that if we listen to more positive music, watch positive shows when looking at television, and do more positive things together, we all will feel a positive vibe flowing through this little island we call paradise.

"In very truth there are no interests nor reasons, however legitimate they maybe, that can justify war.'' (His Imperial Majesty 1937).

T. SELASSIE St. David's