Premier Jennifer Smith last night announced her Government will be addressing the Country next week on the economic fallout on Bermuda from last week's attacks on the United States.

Meanwhile, some of the Island's leading international business executives will sit on a panel for a two-hour public forum planned for Tuesday.

A statement from the Premier last night said Government had been analysing the situation and would announce plans at a press conference next week.

"I understand the concern being expressed in the community about the impact on Bermuda," said the Premier. "There is no doubt that there will be challenging times ahead. However, I would caution that this is not a time for people to panic. This is a time for cool heads and well-reasoned action. We shall need to pull together in a spirit of national unity to reduce the impact of this trying period.

"The Government has not been paralysed by events in the United States. We are continuing to consult with business leaders and social agencies to build a picture of the potential ramifications for Bermuda as the situation develops. On the basis of our analysis we shall then take action to steer a course for the Island and announce these plans in a press conference scheduled for next week."

As the Premier will be on official business overseas, Finance Minister Eugene Cox, as acting premier, will preside over the press conference.

A two hour meeting of the full caucus of the Progressive Labour Party was held at the House of Assembly last night. Mr. Cox told The Royal Gazette that the members received full briefings from key cabinet ministers, followed by a question and answer session.

"We want to reassure Bermudians that we have had their interests at heart from day one," he said of next week's presentation. "I, as Finance Minister, certainly have been taking steps to meet the needs of our people." He said he had been meeting with business leaders to "see what impact they will feel. . . that helps us with our plans."

He also said Government had been monitoring the situation as it develops, and gathering information and feedback from the stakeholders before going to the country on the economic outlook.

Government has come in for criticism from some in the business community for not speaking to the country earlier. Yesterday, Mr. Cox defended the approach taken as "the best way to go." No date has been set yet for the press conference, which Mr. Cox says will feature presentations from key Cabinet Ministers. He added that his meetings with the business leaders should be finished by Monday.

"Government's response has been responsible, committed and persistent," said Senator Michael Scott, immediately after the caucus meeting.

"We have gathered a panel consisting of members from all sectors of the international business industry, to provide a realistic assessment of the possible after-effects that the recent tragedy in the United States might have on Bermuda's economy, and the international business sector in particular," said Pat Phillip-Bassett, CEO of the Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) in a press statement.

Bank of Bermuda Chief Operating Officer Phillip Butterfield, David Ezekiel of the International Companies Division and William Griffiths of the Bermuda Hotel Association are among the panelists for the forum which will take place Tuesday at St. Paul's Centennial Hall at 6 p.m.

Other panel members are Raymond Medeiros, BIBA's chairman, chairman of the E-commerce commercial applications committee, Anthony Nagel and Bermuda Stock Exchange president Greg Wojciechowski.

"The panel members can provide a very good, broad perspective of how Bermuda as a jurisdiction is dealing with the potential impact of this tragic attack on our business," said Ms Phillip-Bassett. "It will also help the community to prepare for any necessary adjustments we all may have to makein our daily lives, depending on how deeply the economy is affected."

The forum will be organised to allow for a interactive discussion, says BIBA, "giving both the panelists and the community the opportunity to discuss the issues at hand in a rational and informed manner."