shorts, thanks to The Royal Gazette .

The Iraqi dictator banned his people from wearing the trendy shorts because they "inflame the passions of women''.

But now he will be able to relax around his Presidential Palace with a pair of Bermuda shorts in classic Arabian khaki, bought specially for him.

The Royal Gazette revealed earlier this week that Saddam had issued a decree that anyone found wearing shorts would face up to one month in jail.

One Iraqi mullah said: "Exposed skin in such warm temperatures will inflame the passions of women and lead to immoral behaviour.'' And Saddam was roundly condemned by store executives and tourism officials.

So we asked four of Bermuda's highest ranking figures in fashion and tourism to send the military ruler a pair of his own as a goodwill gesture.

But it was left to our reporter Neil Roberts to pop the shorts in the post -- because everybody else was too scared to send mail to Saddam.

Shadow Tourism Minister David Allen was the first to call for the shorts to be sent to Baghdad, saying: "We send Easter lilies to the Queen, so why not Bermuda shorts to Saddam?'' At first, Mr. Allen agreed to post the Iraqi President one of his old pairs.

But he rang The Royal Gazette hours later, saying he "did not want to upset his Moslem constituents''.

He added: "I do think it's funny but on careful reflection, it would not be suitable for me to send him a pair.

"I have many Moslem constituents and I do not want to offend them in any way.'' Tourism director Gary Phillips had already ruled out an official gift of Bermuda shorts for Saddam.

He said: "It's Saddam's country and he can do what he likes. I don't think I have any need to correspond with Saddam Hussein.'' Tess Group managing director David Hamshere, in charge of the English Sports Shop and Marks and Spencer, laughed when we asked if he would send the baggy pair to Baghdad.

From Bermuda with love He would only say: "I can see the funny side but on this occasion I don't think I'm your man.'' We thought we had finally found a willing postman when Lawrence Trimingham, general manager of Trimingham Brothers, agreed on Monday that he would find a pair for Saddam and mail it off to Iraq.

But Mr. Trimingham rang our newsroom yesterday to back out, saying: "In some ways it would be worthwhile but I have taken some advice and this is not something we can be involved in.

"We do have Moslem customers and Bermuda does have a Moslem community and we would not want to offend them.'' We pointed out The Royal Gazette did not believe the gesture would cause offence -- and foreigners in Iraq would also be affected by Saddam's new shorts laws.

Even Bermudians visiting Baghdad would be stopped from showing off their knees.

So we bought a pair of 42-inch waist shorts -- hopefully perfect for the Iraqi leader -- and popped them in an envelope along with a copy of Monday's story and a letter.

We wrote: "Your Excellency, Please find enclosed a pair of Bermuda shorts for you to wear around the palace during the hot Arabian summer.

"We do hope you will not find their modest hemline at all offensive and we hope the extra comfort you are brought by these shorts will in fact change the decree you recently issued, which bans your people from wearing them.

"With kind regards and in the hope that you will liberate your people by allowing them to dress in shorts during the hottest months....'' Assistant Editor Bill Zuill added: "Hopefully, Saddam will see the funny side.'' From Bermuda with love He would only say: "I can see the funny side but on this occasion I don't think I'm your man.'' We thought we had finally found a willing postman when Lawrence Trimingham, general manager of Trimingham Brothers, agreed on Monday that he would find a pair for Saddam and mail it off to Iraq.

But Mr. Trimingham rang our newsroom yesterday to back out, saying: "In some ways it would be worthwhile but I have taken some advice and this is not something we can be involved in.

"We do have Moslem customers and Bermuda does have a Moslem community and we would not want to offend them.'' We pointed out The Royal Gazette did not believe the gesture would cause offence -- and foreigners in Iraq would also be affected by Saddam's new shorts laws.

Even Bermudians visiting Baghdad would be stopped from showing off their knees.

So we bought a pair of 42-inch waist shorts -- hopefully perfect for the Iraqi leader -- and popped them in an envelope along with a copy of Monday's story and a letter.

We wrote: "Your Excellency, Please find enclosed a pair of Bermuda shorts for you to wear around the palace during the hot Arabian summer.

"We do hope you will not find their modest hemline at all offensive and we hope the extra comfort you are brought by these shorts will in fact change the decree you recently issued, which bans your people from wearing them.

"With kind regards and in the hope that you will liberate your people by allowing them to dress in shorts during the hottest months....'' Assistant Editor Bill Zuill added: "Hopefully, Saddam will see the funny side.''