officials is cause for great concern.

And the action, justified or not, could re-open old wounds which were beginning to heal between the West Indian and Bermudian communities.

Despite the strong ancestral ties between the two communities, there has always been an element of distrust and disdain.

Some 20 years ago it was common for members of each group to openly call each other derogatory names and to discriminate against the other.

But the influx of workers from Europe and Canada and the dwindling numbers from the West Indies over the years seemed to have brought the two communities together.

There appeared to be an awakening that they had more in common than differences and that they needed each other more than ever before.

On a large scale, name calling and distrust were replaced with respect and imitation -- the highest form of flattery. For instance, it is not unusual to hear young Bermudian men speak with almost authentic West Indian accents and talk of plans of owning a house in the West Indies or to hear a Jamaican, with pride, refer to Bermuda as home.

Relations between the two communities definitely appeared to be strengthening further under the new Progressive Labour Party Government.

In fact, Bermuda's increased participation in Caribbean sporting events, talks of establishing greater ties with the West Indies, and the recent visit of Jamaica's Prime Minister P.J. Patterson indicated that the Island was well on its way to forging an unprecedented relationship with its southern neighbours.

Therefore, this sting operation has come as somewhat of a surprise. And there are many questions which have not yet been answered.

Was the raid carried out as a result of calls to the recently-introduced Immigration hotline? Will there be others? Is it in connection with reports of marriages of convenience? Or is the Immigration Department, under a new Government, simply carrying out housekeeping? Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox has stated that the raids were not drug related and Police have denied that the Jamaicans were targetted because of their nationality.

But both departments will have more explaining to do to the West Indian Association who is holding an emergency meeting with the Jamaican Association this evening.

President of the West Indian Association Shurnette Caines has already criticised the handling of the operation, claiming that Police and Immigration officials arrested some who were legally on the Island.

She also alleged that they broke down doors and were prepared to take some of the 16 in their underwear.

"We will be keenly looking at if there will be other searches of different nationalities,'' Mrs. Caines said. "...And I have to ask if Jamaicans are being used as scapegoats and if we are going to continue to be the scapegoats.

That would be unfair.''