Government MP to call for open dialogue between Bermudians and foreign workers.

The flyer reads: "Hello!!! If you are in Bermuda under false qualifications and are counter productive in this society. A charter flight will be leaving Bermuda's International Airport on January 4th 1999 one way to Europe - Canada & the Islands.'' And the flyer concludes: "Book now to avoid dissappointment (sic). Call 1-800-EXPAT.'' The flyer was anonymously faxed to A.S. Cooper & Sons and brought to the attention of their human resource manager.

Peter Cooper, the managing director of A.S. Cooper & Sons, stated: "I don't know if it's an internal prank or external -- but the prank was a very bad one.'' Mr. Cooper said he was unaware if the fax was confined to A.S. Cooper or whether it was more widespread.

But he said if the fax had been sent to other businesses as well, he would assume it was intended to be malicious.

"If I knew for a fact that it was a member of my staff who sent it, I'd send out a memo.. .but we're trying to figure out what this is all about.'' Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox said the fax was a "dramatic'', but unconstructive way of addressing the issue.

"It seems to reflect a real concern about the fact that many Bermudians are perceived to be displaced unnecessarily out of jobs and a real concern about the role of Bermudians in the work force,'' she said.

"But it can also be construed as being provocative -- provoking not just those who are here on "false pretences'' but also those non-Bermudians who are here legitimately.'' Ms Cox said "scare mongering'' or "intimidation'' was not to be encouraged or tolerated, and said the issues which would provoke such an anonymous fax needed to be tackled.

And she said the Ministry would be playing its part by facilitating more open discussion and by showing a commitment to Bermudians worried about unnecessary foreign workers -- while simultaneously not creating a situation where non-Bermudians are seen as "the bad guy''.

"This fax, to me, is provocative and promotes an atmosphere of tension when we need to be promoting an atmosphere of cooperation,'' she said.

"The new Bermuda we're talking about is not one we want where people are at loggerheads...there has to be a new Bermuda that has transparency and accountability,'' she added.

Development and Opportunities Minister Terry Lister echoed Ms Cox's comments, stating: "The flyer is anonymous and there is no way of determining whether it was sent to an individual or as a general joke.'' "However, the tone of the flyer certainly does not promote the spirit of respect and harmony in Bermuda that this new Government is working to create.''