As the war clouds build toward a US-led war with Iraq, and as opposition grows around the world, The Royal Gazette took to the streets of Hamilton to find out what Bermudians are saying about the war.

"With the amount of pressure Bush is mounting I'm hoping Saddam will succumb to it," said Bermuda's renowned Commonwealth triathlete Kent Richardson. With that kind of pressure, he thought "we might be able to avoid a war".

Mr. Richardson seemed to be the only person who spoke with The Royal Gazette who thought so, however, with everyone else more concerned with how the war would actually affect Bermuda and the world.

"It's going to affect Bermuda with food coming in and stuff," said Christian Academy student Tyshae Raymay. However when asked if she thought President Bush had the right to launch a war against Iraq without the blessing of the UN, Tyshae agreed with her friend Janay Richardson, who said: "I guess so - but I don't want it to happen."

Flanagan's bartenders Robert (Poppy) Marques and Richard Madeiros were also concerned about the effect a war on Iraq would have on Bermuda. "Tourism's going to suffer," said Mr. Madeiros. "It's going to hurt trade embargoes big time."

"We saw how we suffered after September 11 two years ago," said Mr. Marques. "The implications are going to be so bad. I hope it doesn't happen - the whole world's going to suffer."

Other Bermudians took Mr. Marques' lead towards a more global view.

"I'm against war, I believe in peace," said mother Tyoneia Bean. "Basically I think he (President Bush) is sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong - but that's for the UN to decide."

Concerned about America's die hard go-it-alone stance on the war, Ms Bean added: "(President Bush) has to think about everybody... he has to look at it from a broader point of view."

And PhD student Kim Dismont-Robinson had this to say: "As far as I'm concerned it's a symptom of American imperialist aggression and I'm extremely displeased that Tony Blair seems to be so content in his position as George Bush's lapdog puppet."

In the end, however, Bermuda's sentiment seemed to be summed up by what retailer Trish Sims had to say: "I don't really agree with it. I think we should just have peace and love, man!"