Former Government Senator Calvin Smith had some strong words for the Association of Bermuda International Companies this week ? stay out of local politics.

Reacting to a letter to the Premier expressing the Association's concerns about the move to Independence, Mr. Smith said ABIC had overstepped its boundaries.

The letter, signed by ABIC chairman David Ezekiel and the chairman of its Government Relations committee Gavin Arton, expressed doubts that Independence, saying it offered "almost no positives" and a number of potential negatives".

It called for a referendum on the issue after wide consultation and cautioned the Premier against forcing Independence on Bermudians.

Mr. Smith said the ABIC letter crossed the line by wading too far into local politics.

"I was simply disturbed by the fact that they said they wanted to be included in the discussions on Independence. The way they get included is the way any business gets included in anything ? they express their concerns to the Premier as they do all the time.

But when they advise as to what to do or not to do they are out of line," he said. "They have a right as any business has to protect their interests. But they are foreign-owned businesses and when foreigners start to use their rights of residence as a reason to get involved in local politics, that's overreaching."

Rolfe Commissiong blamed Mr. Ezekiel for the "tone and tenor" of the letter, saying he had rubbed the PLP administration the wrong way before.

"He has on numerous occasions in my opinion crossed over the line in a very arrogant fashion attempted to dictate and influence successive Bermudian governments on behalf of the international business sector," Mr. Commissiong said. "I would hope that if we are going to have a healthy debate that the tone and tenor would be expressed in a more positive and healthy way than that which we were subjected to."

For his part, Premier Alex Scott has said he has no problem with alternative views and has welcomed input from the international business sector.

"I hate to think that the opinions expressed are shared by the majority of members of that body," Mr. Commissiong said. "While it is proper to seek to participate in the debate and seek to have a road map clearly defined by which Bermuda will move forward on the issue of Independence I was perturbed, to say the least, by the claim issued on behalf of that body that the Government shouldn't force people to Independence.

"That bordered on outrageousness and smacked of the sort of scare-mongering that we've seen from other members of the community.

"I'm of the belief that the community values the partnership between the Government and the international business sector but it must remain a partnership of equals. It certainly shouldn't be ? in reality or perception ? a relationship whereby the international business sector is the tail wagging the dog."

He added that many of the alternative domiciles for the sector were themselves independent countries.

Mr. Smith added that international companies were in Bermuda because of a regulatory framework which allowed them to conduct international business unencumbered by unnecessary bureaucracy and to save in taxes.

"They are here because they see a business opportunity here and Bermuda goes to great lengths to make that possible. This is not foreign aid. What are they trying to do ? upset the political stability by making everybody mad? We don't have the stability because international business exists. We had it before they came. And we deserve and have earned the right to run our affairs without interference by foreigners."

Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons said accusing Mr. Ezekiel of mischief was tantamount to shooting the messenger.

"Obviously Mr. Scott was looking for some comment on the issue of independence and I don't think Mr. Ezekiel can be faulted for responding to that invitation. I don't think that's mischievous at all," Dr. Gibbons said.

"You and I both know that it is very unusual for international business to come out and make a statement on something like Independence. The very fact that they are doing it really should give us all some concern because of the central importance of international business to our economy.

"It's now providing three times as much a contribution as tourism and I think we need to take their comments seriously in terms of the concerns they have about the direction in which Mr. Scott seems to be taking the country in terms of the discussion on Independence. A lot of us think he's got his priorities in the wrong place and he really should be putting his energy into many of the challenges the country is facing. We see it as another way to distract the community from their abysmal record in Government."

Roger Scotton, spokesman for XL Capital, one of the international business companies with a significant presence on the Island, said that the company was a member of ABIC and the letter "fairly represented" their position.