Bermuda is planning to send its own goodwill message to the brokers of peace in Northern Ireland.

Leaders around the world heralded the historic settlement which took a vital step towards a new political future for the British province last night.

And Bermuda's Premier Pamela Gordon said she hoped the Island could mark its own encouragement for the peace deal by sending a dispatch to Downing Street.

Ms Gordon told The Royal Gazette : "There are always worries and the men who deal in violence may be more concerned about their own egos than a lasting peace.

"I pray because it seems so unfortunate that some of these people never seem to be satisfied with what they've got.

"But now there's been agreement from the political parties about the direction Northern Ireland should move in and hopefully that will stop that small minority from being committed to violence.

"And if this is to be a movement towards a real peace down the line then maybe the year 2000 really is something we can all look forward to.

"When the House of Assembly reconvenes, we will discuss the possibility of sending a letter of encouragement to the key figures involved, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"Not only would we like to express our encouragement, we would also like to express our gratitude.

"Remember, anything that happens over there will have an effect on us in one form or another.'' The deal for Northern Ireland's future has been acclaimed as the biggest breakthrough since 1969, when the Troubles began claiming 3,400 lives.

Voters in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland will vote on the proposals in a referendum next month.

But the principle agreement, set out in a 67-page document by US peace envoy George Mitchell, allows for a new Northern Ireland Assembly with ties to Britain and shared power between loyalist Protestants and republican Catholics.

The plan also includes a cross-border law-making council, tying the political framework to the Republic of Ireland.

More on the Irish peace deal, Page 5 Pamela Gordon