Bids to destroy offshore enterprise could be cloaked under an anti-money laundering drive, Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson warned at the weekend.

And Mr. Patterson sounded an alarm bell over globalisation of trade and the increasing influence of international bodies in setting the rules of the game.

And -- in a thinly-veiled reference to probes by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development and the UK White Paper rewrite of relations with its Overseas Territories -- he said that international interest in offshore finance could pose a threat to places like Bermuda.

Mr. Patterson stressed that no-one approved of the cleaning of dirty money and stashing drugs cash offshore.

But he said: "Let me warn you that what is happening, for example in relationship to what some would call offshore banking and you call international finance centres, it might be happening under the guise of combating money laundering...but you mustn't confuse money laundering with greed which wants to ensure that capital is always kept within the confines of their own shores.'' And he warned Bermuda: "At some point in the future, you're going to have to make your mind up where you belong''.

The grim caution came as Mr. Patterson delivered the keynote speech to the annual banquet closing the Progressive Labour Party's conference on Saturday night.

Mr. Patterson said Caribbean islands had already suffered from a World Trade Organisation ruling which ended so-called preferential treatment for banana exports by European countries -- a move prompted by big business protests in the US.

He said Bermuda did not export bananas -- but that international organisations were increasingly flexing their muscles over smaller ones.

And Mr. Patterson added: "Bermuda is 3,000 miles from Europe, it's 1,000 miles from the Caribbean. We have a saying in Jamaica that everyone has a right to know where he belongs.

"You are going to have to take that decision and perhaps even sooner than you think.

"I say so because the international environment has changed dramatically -- we now have the World Trade Organisation which determines the rules of the game in the global field.'' Mr. Patterson, leader of Jamaica's ruling People's National Party, said that Bermuda's first PLP government faced a host of challenges -- including changing its mindset to recognise the reality of power.

He said: "A long period of opposition can be both a blessing or a curse -- it can be a blessing because it's enabled the party to build strong, deep roots and to build an effective organisation which has withstood the vicissitudes of political fortune, and that's good.

Patterson issues warning "It also means you're well-schooled, perhaps over-schooled, in the habits of opposition. One of the things you have to do and do quickly is get out of the opposition mode and yes, to recognise that Government is a burden, not a ball game.'' And he warned: "Don't build your own opposition -- leave it to others. They will either make a hash of it or force you to rise to higher levels.'' Mr. Patterson -- who earned a standing ovation -- told the audience he had just attended a meeting of the Caribbean community, CARICOM, in Trinidad, where it was agreed that the nations of the area would work towards a European Union-style single market and economy next year.

He added: "I'm authorised by my fellow heads of state to say to you, the government, the party and the people, that we are prepared to respond positively to any initiatives which may emanate from the government of Bermuda for closer cooperation and collaboration in any areas you choose to introduce.'' Mr. Patterson said: "Parties like ours, people's parties, we put people at the very centre of things. People, not money. And if you put people first, the emphasis has to be placed on human resources, with development of education the key.

"Perhaps if the primacy is on education, that might be where you would wish to begin and say the University of the West Indies is prepared to discuss cooperation in all fields of tertiary education development.'' Mr. Patterson added that drug abuse, violence, lifestyle diseases and ecological destruction had "risen to unprecendented levels''.

But he said just increasing the numbers of Police and security services would not solve problems alone.

Mr. Patterson added: "We have to recognise in some quarters there is selfishness...inhumanity to others which is motivated by sheer greed.'' But he insisted: "Only a changed human being can help to change the world.'' And he said "togetherness'' and drawing on the cultural diversity of the Caribbean area and Bermuda was vital as countries moved towards the future.

Mr. Patterson added: "The people of Bermuda and the people of Jamaica share a common heritage and ancestry.

"Nowadays, it's no longer regarded as fashionable, and sometimes even considered discourteous, to mention that we come from a background of slavery and colonialism.

"I think on a occasion like this, if you don't remember our history, we will not know where we are and we will not have any idea where we need to go.'' BUSINESS BUC POLITICS PTL