territories is a historic opportunity, Premier Pamela Gordon said yesterday.

Ms Gordon told delegates from the Caribbean British colonies that the Caribbean/Bermuda conference offered the chance of a fresh start.

And she said she hoped the dependent territories would emerge with "a new sense of direction, a new sense of purpose and a closer relationship -- not just with the United Kingdom, but with each other.'' Ms Gordon added that Bermuda was prepared to put its money where its mouth is in relation to volcano-ravaged Montserrat, which is represented at the conference.

She told delegates: "The past two years have been especially difficult ones for that island. We want you to know we stand ready to assist in any way we can.'' Ms Gordon added that the Bermuda conference -- held in the run-up to a meeting of the Dependent Territories in London next month -- gave the countries involved the chance to pull together a common strategy amid Britain's pledge to review its relations with them.

She said Bermuda had traditionally enjoyed a happy relationship with the United Kingdom.

And she added she hoped for a new deal from Britain which would allow that relationship "to continue to flourish so that our respective countries can continue to enjoy economic, political and social stability.'' Ms Gordon was speaking just before the first session of the five-country conference, with representatives from the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos and Montserrat.

She told the opening meeting that the Cayman Islands Chief Minister Truman Boden had sent his apologies that he could not attend because of pressing business at home.

But she added that he had also sent written comments which would be considered during the working sessions.

Earlier, Governor Thorold Masefield that the Bermuda event, the Dependent Territories London conference and a Caribbean forum in the Bahamas were all valuable experiences.

He said an exchange of experience and different perspectives "can only bring a deeper understanding and a wider understanding of the points at issue''.

See Page 8 for pen sketches of the countries attending this week's conference.