Jamaican Consul General Dr. Basil K. Bryan yesterday decried his countrymen who come to Bermuda to commit crimes.

In an interview with Dr. Bryan also criticised new visa regulations which "put all Jamaicans into the same category" as those who stir trouble.

Earlier this year, Government said Jamaicans visiting the Island were required to have a visa.

Dr. Bryan said the decision was based on the stereotypical Jamaican and declared that not all Jamaicans were drug traffickers.

"I do not condone people getting involved in illegal activities," said Dr. Bryan.

Dr. Bryan was appointed Jamaica's Consul General to New York in 1998, with several US states and Bermuda falling under his jurisdiction.

The Consul General said he wanted to strengthen links between Bermuda and Jamaica, especially in the areas of trade, sports and education. He cited the strong ties between Bermuda and Jamaica.

Dr. Bryan spoke about famous Jamaicans around the world, including US Secretary of State Colin Powell. He also noted that two of the Island's most powerful Ministers studied in Jamaica - Tourism and Telecommunications Minister Ren?e Webb and Transport Minister Ewart Brown.

He said the vast majority of the 2,000-plus Jamaicans living in Bermuda were law-abiding and hardworking.

"The majority that you hear about are those who were doing something illegal," said Dr. Bryan.