interested in discussing the increase of crime in Bermuda.

Less than 20 people turned out at the Independence forum, held at the St.

George's Town Hall.

Conducting the forum were the Minister of Finance the Hon. David Saul, the Minister of Human Affairs and Information the Hon. Mr. Jerome Dill and Minister of Transport the Hon. Mr. Maxwell Burgess.

All three expressed the importance of the Green Paper on Independence which they expect to be made available to the public in June or July of next year.

However, one man said that a greater challenge than the matter of Independence was adopting a programme that would enable our visitors to feel more safe and secure.

He added: "Government has no greater function than to do what is expected for them to do which is protect its citizens.'' But Dr. Saul replied that the matter of crime and Independence were "completely separate from each other''.

He added: "Tourists come to Bermuda and comment on how there is no comparison in crime on the Island to that of the US.'' An English woman who resides in Bermuda, said she was appalled to turn on the television and hear the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan giving his solutions on how to deal with lawlessness.

"I have a great fear that someone in such a senior position, and who speaks for his party before Independence and after, feels that Bermuda might have to do away with the presumption of innocence in order to curb crime,'' the woman said.

She added: "That is a basic human right. It was a poorly thought out statement.'' The forum eventually began discussing the questions raised on Independence and the moderators informed the audience that they would try their best to inform Bermudians about the meaning of Independence and what it will mean to them.

However the English woman replied: "These forums are designed to manipulate people. This forum, where there are only 18 people, does not show a mass interest in what is going on.''