The Opposition United Bermuda Party is insisting on a bipartisan examination of the pros and cons of Bermuda becoming an Associate Member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM).

UBP leader Grant Gibbons repeated the call yesterday in response to comments by Senator David Burch at this week's senate sitting.

"What's important here is to first of all, understand the position the United Bermuda Party is taking on it," Dr. Gibbons said.

"We've put down two motions - in the Senate and the House of Assembly - to form a joint select committee to look into the pros and cons of CARICOM and report back," he told The Royal Gazette.

He wouldn't reveal his gut feeling, or considered opinion, on the matter.

"Our objective is to ensure that the issues are fully explored on a bipartisan basis."

During a motion to adjourn, Sen. Burch told his colleagues that the same people who were "whining and complaining" about CARICOM were benefiting from business ties to the Caribbean. And he referred specifically to Dr. Gibbons' business ties in the region.

"The Opposition reports that we need to tread lightly on issues regarding CARICOM," he said. "But the Gibbons mercantile empire is doing daily business in the Caribbean."

Said Dr. Gibbons : "Frankly, I think he should be explaining the benefits his Government sees in associate membership" as well as the ramifications.

"I think people really haven't thought through about the objectives and what's involved." As to Senator Burch's comments on his business connections in the Caribbean, Dr. Gibbons said : "I wasn't quite sure of the point he was making with respect to people who do business there. Quite frankly Bermudians do business all over the world." He added that people with buisness ties could probably bring something to the debate.

"It brings something to bear on the whole education process which Government has an obligation and a responsibility to do and has yet to fulfil," he continued.

"Let's make the community understand why we are doing this. Why not have a bipartisan group that discusses it and report back ?"

Government's preference is to have a cabinet committee examine the matter. The UBP's motion will likely be debated at today's House session.