Taking a "holding position'' when responding to inquiries about Independence is becoming more difficult, according to the chairman of BIBA (Bermuda International Business Association).

"Beginning with the first Independence referendum bill early last year, throughout the off-again, on-again debate about legislation, we have had to develop a series of what media relations people refer to as `holding positions' to respond to media and client inquiries about Bermuda's political stability,'' said Mr. Cummings Zuill, speaking at a Rotary meeting yesterday.

"The position has become increasingly more difficult to defend as the dialogue regarding independence becomes embroiled in politics. Coverage of the debate has spilled from the pages of The Royal Gazette onto those of the Financial Times, USA Today, The Daily Telegraph and other papers around the world. The net effect of this coverage, much of it inaccurate and speculative, has been to create an atmosphere of uncertainty about Bermuda's stability,'' he added.

BIBA will not take a stand for or against independence but "BIBA welcomes the move toward a referendum'' because it is part of a democratic process the international business community understands.

The organisation has chosen not to take a position citing a wide range of opinion among its 41 company membership which includes 10,000 direct and indirect employees, according to Mr. Zuill, senior vice-president of the private client division of the Bank of Bermuda.

But both Premier Sir John Swan and Mr. Frederick Wade, leader of the opposition, have said they are committed to the Island's international business sector, he said.

Yet taxes targeting business included in the recent Budget have "shaken our confidence in the industry's partnership with Government,'' he commented.

Mr. Zuill said BIBA will in the next few months undertake a programme to raise awareness of and support for the international business community.