bid to thrash out a common cause with Bermuda to take to a major conference of Dependent Territories in London next month.

Delegates from the Dependent Territories due south of Bermuda jetted into the Island last night for the two-day think tank organised by Premier Pamela Gordon.

And Ralph O'Neal, Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands, one of the most powerful and largest of the Caribbean UK colonies, said he was delighted to get the chance to discuss a joint approach before the London trip.

Mr. O'Neal, whose island has a population of 18,000 and an economy based on tourism and international business, said: "This was an excellent idea and Bermuda's Premier is to be commended for her initiative.'' He added he wanted the UK to cede more power to the BVI government as part of Britain's review of its relations with its Dependent Territories.

The BVI -- like most of the Caribbean Dependent Territories -- has far less self-determination than Bermuda and Governors with stronger reserved powers.

But Mr. O'Neal said he would be pleased to win a constitutional position like Bermuda's.

He added: "In the final analysis, we are capable of gaining more internal self-government and we want to continue on that line.'' Mr. O'Neal added that his government was "not interested'' in gaining full citizenship rights and an end to the second-class British Dependent Territories Citizen UK passports.

But he said his country was keen on better opportunities for education and work in the UK.

He added: "We have expressed that desire to the UK Government.'' Mr. O'Neal also called for the UK to take better care of the smaller and economically weaker Caribbean Dependent Territories, like volcano-stricken Montserrat, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos.

He said: "We want to see Britain take more interest in these territories which cannot finance themselves.'' Meanwhile, the Anguilla government yesterday unveiled its submission to the UK as part of the review ordered by British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook.

Anguilla wants greater autonomy and reduced powers for the Governor -- but the submission said the country is not ready for full independence.

The island, which has a population of 10,500 and is almost entirely dependent on tourism, said in its submission that Anguillans should be "courageous enough'' to tell the UK what they want for the future.

The conference -- which involves 16 delegates from the BVI, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos and Montserrat -- starts this morning at the Hamilton Princess with a fanfare from the trumpets of the Bermuda Regiment.

Editorial: Page 4