appointment of a Bermudian for a top Tourism post.

Sen. Terry Lister told The Royal Gazette that his party found Tourism's choice of Toby Dillas as understudy to American Paul Zar, the North American director of sales, a "pleasant'' surprise.

"David (Allen) had pushed the Government hard on the Paul Zar affair in the last session of Parliament,'' Mr. Lister explained. "He laid down questions and was the one who had requested that a Bermudian understudy be appointed.'' Mr. Allen, who was off the Island yesterday, launched an attack last spring over Tourism's retention of its North American sales director.

Mr. Allen -- who alleged that Mr. Zar demanded new deals in his extended two-year contract and was awarded a $38,000 bonus last year despite falling visitor numbers -- had formally tabled questions on what was deemed the "Zar Affair''.

One of the questions was: "What is the current status of Government steps being taken to ensure there is a Bermudian understudy and successor in place for Mr. Zar's position, a commitment made by Government in the House of Assembly in 1994.'' At the time Mr. Allen said: "Government has a duty to live up to commitments made previously in Parliament, such as the grooming of a Bermudian understudy for this particular position.'' Mr. Lister said he was pleased Government chose a "well qualified Bermudian'' and saw it as a step in the right direction.

"Mr. Dillas has a talent that is without question,'' he added. "One can remember the way he ran the Bermudiana Hotel years ago.'' Mr. Dillas ran the Bermudiana until he joined Tourism's Boston office as Regional manager in 1989.

APPOINTMENT APP POLITICS PTL