The communications expert hired by Government to evaluate radiation from antennae does not believe emissions are harmful to people.

But in a press conference yesterday, the Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said she believed the evaluation will be "objective'' and promised the results will be published.

Roger Choquette will look at all 38 telecommunications antennae sites across the Island to see if there is a need for further study.

Mr. Choquette is the founder of Comgate Telemanagement of Phoenix, Arizona, and is a former Canadian Air Force officer and senior engineering advisor with the Canadian communications commission.

When asked if it was possible for a radio antenna to harm the public in surrounding neighbourhoods, Mr. Choquette said: "Based on my experiences, my answer would be no.'' Ms Webb said criticism that Mr. Choquette had already made up his mind were unfounded.

"I never asked his opinion before he came,'' she said. "Clearly he will carry out his job and I'm sure he will carry it out as objectively as possible,'' Ms Webb promised that even if the report finds all 38 antennae are harmful to the public, the results will be made known.

She added: "We have no intention of hiding any information that comes out of this study.'' "As regards to CARE, I don't think it matters what comes out of this study, that is not the issue,'' she added. "They do not want that tower in their neighbourhood. While CARE was the impetus, it has gone beyond CARE.'' Communities Against Radiation Emissions (CARE) are Warwick residents battling a CellularOne cell phone tower installation in their Faraway Lane, Warwick neighbourhood.

After looking at each site, its specifications, and licensing documents, Mr.

Choquette will produce a Risk Assessment Report, giving benchmarks as either being of no risk or worthy of further assessment.

The evaluation will depend on the location of the site, its transmitted power, and the frequency at which it broadcasts while further studies would involve high-tech testing and calculations.

Ms Webb said the modern Bermuda could not survive without multiple towers to cover shadow areas where reception is poor or non-existent.

She said advances in technology may solve the problem and suggested the cost of a satellite may decrease so that the Island can afford it.

Spokesman for CARE, Stephen Thompson said last night the group was encouraged by Mr. Choquette's mission. But he said it would still be "extremely difficult'' to say whether the antennae would be safe.

"We are confident Mr. Choquette will strongly encourage that certain towers be re-sited in non-residential areas,'' Mr. Thompson said.

He added that CARE is not against cell phone towers or Bermuda Digital Communications, but that they should not be in residential areas.

He said there are other sites where the towers could be at least 800 feet away from private homes, adding: "The jury is out for the next few years. It would be reasonable to take precautions.'' Mr. Choquette has appeared before telecommunications tribunals and works as a consultant with Comgate Engineering of Canada, which he co-founded.

Mr. Choquette holds degrees in engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada, and systems engineering from the French Aeronautics and Space School.