There was more debate on Bermuda's association with Cuba when Senators met yesterday.

Opposition Leader in the Senate Kim Swan charged that Government was "flirting with communism" and said that it was not appropriate for Government ministers to "go on a tirade against the US" in the House of Assembly. He called on Premier Jennifer Smith to "reign in her political snipers" and form "a huddle and look at the best course of action".

"We can ill afford to have leaders carry on irresponsibly. We need Government to show better leadership," he said.

But PLP senators Victoria Pearman and Calvin Smith said the media were to blame. Sen. Smith complained that the media seem to have a problem with the Caribbean island while Sen. Pearman said she believed the media's dislike was really aimed at the Bermuda Government.

She said the matter was a clear case of double standards and noted that in business matters Bermuda has not flinched about dealings with Cuba. She pointed to a Front Street store that specialises in Cuban products. "These products are on the embargo list for the US,'' she said while adding that American visitors see the store and often go in. "Nobody bats an eyelid about it," she said.

Turning to history she said Bermuda was isolated and has in the past had no problem selling gunpowder to the US to fight Britain and, during prohibition, getting liquor there.

She said she felt Bermuda could learn a lot from Cuba. "Whatever its failing they have abolished illiteracy, they have a great health care system and Cuba houses all its people. Don't get lost in the hype," she warned. "We have to look for assistance for our people no matter where it comes from."

Independent Sen. Walwyn Hughes said while he believed the trading of buses "has taken a life of its own" and was concerned with Government's relationship with the island. "There's talk about making Bermuda the hub for Cuban Airlines," he said.

He said the problem is one of how we look to the outside. He said that because Bermuda is such a good offshore jurisdiction it is the envy of many and he held that the risk lies in people wanting to damage us because of that. He warned that anything that raises the profile in a negative way to a certain sector of Americans, raises their "annoyance" with us and he said that these people "can have impacts in ways which can hurt us".