Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, Paula Cox is encouraged by meetings held to discuss the Green Paper concerning the future of Long Term Residents on the Island.

The minister made her comments following allegations from some long term residents who said they had felt intimidated at recent forums.

Several long term residents spoke to The Mid Ocean News under condition of anonymity last week and complained they felt intimidated by individuals, some of whom they identified as militant trade unionists.

With half the meetings completed, The Royal Gazette asked Ms Cox for her thoughts on the forums so far.

Ms Cox said: "I am very pleased with how the meetings are going -- people had showed a considerable degree of support for the public forums.'' She said: "This is a grand chance to talk and try to become brothers and sisters under the skin.'' She also commended Ms Arlene Brock, the moderator of Friday Night's meeting who she said had enabled anyone to speak who wanted to speak.

Ms Cox admitted Ms Brock did not have a very easy job but the moderators will not be the same for each meeting.

Ms Cox said the meetings had been helpful and informative compared to meetings where a minister gives a talk and then answers questions as this can lead to debates being too structured and stifled.

However, the public forums were far more interactive with anyone able to express their views.

And the minister encouraged people to step forward and articulate their views and not shy away from making their opinions known even though they may feel intimidated.

She also indicated that anyone who wanted to get up and speak at the previous forums could have, although she concedes that it may be difficult for some people.

She said the make up of the panel shows that all people are represented as there were no other Government ministers except for opposition minister Michael Dunkley and all communities were represented.

The minister has been asking people to write to her expressing their views on the issue of long term residents but said she has hardly been overwhelmed and the few written questions she has received are not predominantly from any sector.

The next meeting will be this Thursday at St. James Church in Somerset, starting at 7.30 p.m.

The following week will be the last public forum to discuss the issue of long term residents in Bermuda and will take place in the City of Hamilton.

The venue is to be announced as potential locations are undergoing renovations.

The issue is sure to spark heated debate in the House of Assembly when members of parliament return after their summer break.

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