said NAR embraces the United Bermuda Party caucus committee recently set up to tackle race relations in Bermuda.

She also said she hoped the seven-member committee, headed by Sen. Jerome Dill, "will have more luck'' than a similar UBP committee set up 20 years ago.

"We would point out that the UBP had a committee on race 20 odd years ago,'' Dr. Hodgson said. "At that time some Cabinet members, including the Premier and Mr. Edness, would not sign that report. They refused to get involved.'' She said while a few during the past two decades continued to talk about the race issue, most feared they would be ostracised.

"The fear has been justified,'' Dr. Hodgson said. "Those who did (discuss racism) had to pay the price.'' A 1989 forum spearheaded by Dr Hodgson and supported by the Human Rights group and other local organisations helped to open up race discussions in Bermuda.

She conceded, however, the NAR would not have been established if there had not been some "high-profile UBP members who encouraged us to establish''.

"But when we were established, they sort of disappeared. At the same time the NAR feels rewarded,'' she said, referring to the establishment of the race committee. "We think it is our presence that has motivated young members in the UBP to start such a thing.

Dr. Hodgson said she expects some of the "older UBP members'' would find it interesting to compare the new report committee with the one produced 20 years ago.