comprehensive Green Paper on options for long term residents of Bermuda.

It has been a long time coming, but that is not surprising considering the depth with which it goes into the issues, which are complex. When it comes to the rights of long-term residents, there are no easy answers.

Ms Cox states rightly that Bermuda must recognise its moral obligation to people who have spent years contributing to the Island. A "thank you very much, you can leave now that we do not need you any longer'' would be both unfair and possibly in breach of international standards of human rights.

This is particularly true for residents who have brought up families on the Island, some of whom will be entitled to, or have, Bermuda status.

The same moral obligation aplies to children who were either born on the Island or who came here at an early age who may find themselves being told to return to a country they do not know when they reach adulthood.

Against that, this Government in particular feels a need to protect Bermudians, who may feel that their opprtunities for jobs, career advancement and homes are held back because there are non-Bermudians standing in their way.

Government could say that it will now draw a line. All long-term residents who have been here for a certain amount of time can now be Bermudian, with all the rights that that entails, but anyone who does not meet the requirements must know that they will have to move on.

This, in some ways, is what the previous Government did with its long term resident certificate. But there will always be special cases, and residents who do not quite meet the requirements will inevitably feel short-changed.

At some point in the future, the problem will arise again.

Government has ruled out any kind of blanket issue of status to residents who have no family ties. In some ways, this is unfortunate. Why shouldn't Bermuda reward and keep non-Bermudians who have contributed to and can still contribute to all facets of the Island's life? This question is made more compelling by the long list of non-Bermudians who have made contributions to the Island's life. By dropping the idea entirely, Bermuda is ruling out the possibility that more Dr. E.F. Gordons, Sir Edward Richards and Sir John Plowmans may be needed to help the Island, not just for a few years, but for a lifetime.