to hire and promote autonomously, according to a leading British reinsurance magazine.

`The Review, Worldwide Insurance' -- one of two leading reinsurance publications in Britain which is sold around the world -- carries a cover article on the Commission of Unity and Racial Equality (CURE) with a picture of a black boy and white boy on the front with the headline "Bermuda - will Cure poison their relationship?'' In a three-page article entitled "Poison or Cure'' on the reinsurance industry, the magazine's editor Allison Carvalho looks at how the reinsurance industry has taken to the laws which were introduced in 2000.

The article opens: "It has been described as onerous, sexist, offensive and racist. The latter is the most damming of all considering it aims to ease race relations on a group of islands still living with the legacy of slavery. No wonder Bermuda's reinsurers are greeting the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (registration and returns) law -- CURE 2000 -- with mixed feelings.'' Ms Carvalho says that no one would go on the record to speak to her about the contentious issue of CURE laws, but she has used unnamed industry sources.

The law, which was passed last year, requires companies with ten or more employees to monitor the hiring, firing and promotion of their workers by race.

The article quotes a `senior industry figure' as saying: "You can't just appoint a black president. You need someone who has worked his way up.'' And it goes on to say: "There is an air of concerned resignation about the monitoring. Some believe it will provoke rather than heal racism. Others criticise it for not dealing with another crucial matter: how to cultivate existing employees.'' It adds that industry insiders say they are keen to employ Bermudians but education is key to success.

"The problem is the education system isn't turning out people who are able to work here... Most blacks still work in the entertainment or hospitality industry,'' an unnamed analyst is quoted as saying.

Another is quoted as saying: "Younger Bermudians are leaving and retraining.

Now we have people in their thirties and forties who will be president (of a reinsurer) one day. Ideally, all the general management folks will be replaced by Bermudians.'' Ms Carvalho states in the editorial for the magazine: "Many believe this law, which aims to ensure equal opportunities for all the islands' workers, curbs their ability to hire and promote as they please.

"But as our cover story argues, the law did not develop in a vacuum. As such, it is hoped they will serve to underline -- not undermine -- Bermuda's justified reputation for progressiveness.'' DISCRIMINATION DIS BUSINESS BUC