Government is organising a national day of thanks for residents to reflect on the Island's experience with hurricane Fabian, Premier Alex Scott announced yesterday.

And, after delivering a wide-ranging, forward looking speech which touched on seniors, asbestos, labour relations and cultural links with Cuba, Mr. Scott revealed that he was concerned that Britain might be gearing up to strengthen the colonial relationship with its Overseas Territories.

“In time, our adversity will become a distant memory, but the future is before us,” Premier Scott said. “I stand before you today to tell you that our Country is well.

“We have weathered the storm and are the better for it. We have shown the strength of unity and should the work of the past two months be an indication, great things are ahead.”

Residents and Government had responded well to Fabian, he said. He reminded the public that the Emergency Assistance Organisation had been established within four days, the Ministry of Health had logged 72 calls so far (232-6388), and that community organisations and businesses had “rallied to the cause” with financial and other assistance.

“The ultimate loss suffered during hurricane Fabian will never be forgotten,” the Premier said. “Although we've had to accept the sad reality that those swept off the Causeway may no longer be with us, I must commend the Bermuda Police, Harbour Radio, the Fire Department, the Ministry of the Environment and all of those who relentlessly assisted in the search and recovery efforts.

“My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims' families during this their time of mourning.”

He added: “Notwithstanding our hardships during the last few weeks, we still have a lot to be thankful for. And so it is with this sense of thankfulness that the Government will organise a national day of thanks” to be organised by Community Affairs Minister Dale Butler.

“It is out of Fabian and its aftermath that we as a people have found a renewed sense of strength and purpose.”

Mr. Butler said that the plans for the national day of thanks may well include a “mini-tattoo” performed by the Regiment, and an ecumenical service.

Turning to non-Fabian issues, the Premier said that the British Government had agreed to conduct a review of the Island's asbestos problem, that the Causeway was expected to be back in full service by the middle of next month and he showed off a model of the new St. George's Rest Home.

Referring to the national strike that hit the country last week, Mr. Scott said that Government and labour had agreed to look at ways to avoid such actions in the future and that industrial relations legislation might be reviewed.

“I made the point that I certainly, as Premier, did not want to see that happening again,” he said.

Mr. Scott told the country that he will be heading off to Bournemouth, England with Tourism Minister Renee Webb to attend the British Labour Party's annual conference.

He will meet with Overseas Territories Minister Bill Rammell but hoped to also meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair, he said.

At question time he said that he had a sense, from “various correspondence” that the British Government were moving towards tightening the colonial relationship with the Overseas Territories.