PREMIER Alex Scott yesterday heaped further praise on the Bermuda Regiment after 240 officers and men completed a two-week camp in Jamaica.

And Mr. Scott again hinted at a possible widening of the Regiment's role in matters of national defence and public safety.

During Exercise Rock Solid II the recently returned soldiers tested their fitness and weapons handling skills while also performing community work.

At a press conference held at Warwick Camp's Sergeants' Mess, the Premier, flanked by a line of khaki-clad soldiers, said: "Today's about recognition. On behalf of the Cabinet and the Government and the people of Bermuda, I wish to recognise the extraordinary performance of the Regiment in Jamaica.

"Last week, I was fortunate enough to review the Regiment as they went through their paces in Jamaica. Let me tell you from first-hand observations that the men and the leadership of this military organisation performed in the most extraordinary way.

"While watching the troops . . . I had a tremendous sense of pride. You hear much about our young people, you hear much about what is not right about Bermuda but I saw what young Bermudians can accomplish when they come together in a disciplined way.

"Parents would do much worse than have their young folks join organisations other than the Regiment. They could do very well having their young people in the Regiment.

"Doing their work they showed a genuine kindness for the community that welcomed them for the two weeks that they were there. Yes, they represented Bermuda well.

"The training and experience is fundamental to the soldier's growth. We think the entire experience is creating leadership, for the Regiment and for the country.

"Today is about praise. Today is about recognition. Today is about saluting the Regiment and the men and officers that make up that magnificent organisation.

"From our political vantage point we believe that the Regiment ? and it's probably open to discussion ? is ready for a new challenge. We see the possibility of expanding its role."

The Premier noted that, while in Jamaica, Bermuda representatives spoke with emergency officials about how the Regiment's training programmes "can manifest themselves with young men and young women evolving into some role, maybe with Police, maybe with the Fire Department, maybe with the Prison Officer Service".

"I think what we're saying is that this can be the entry point for young Bermudians going on to make a valuable contribution to their country, our country," he said.

"Bermuda has changed and I think the Bermuda Regiment is an organisation that can grow and expand to serve the changing role of Bermuda."

The Premier's sentiments were echoed by Public Safety Minister Randy Horton, who said he felt "blessed and very proud" whenever he had the opportunity to speak of the Regiment's achievements, and congratulated outgoing Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Eddie Lamb for his contribution to the community.

The Minister added that military training made young recruits ideal material for the emergency services once they had served their time in khaki, and also provided the island with its leaders of the future.

"As the Minister responsible for security services in this country, I certainly see the Regiment as the organisation that provides opportunities and training that go across all of our security services in Bermuda. We certainly hope that as we move forward we will seek to provide even more opportunities for people to cross train and become, once they've finished the Bermuda Regiment, members of those other security services.

"The Bermuda Regiment provides an excellent opportunity for our young men and women to train and develop into being citizens in our country who are able to produce at the highest level."

The Premier yesterday condemned newspaper coverage of an incident in which three soldiers returning from Jamaica on Saturday were arrested at the airport on suspicion of importing drugs.

Mr. Scott questioned why the story ran on the front page of yesterday'swhen positive coverage of the exercise had been restricted to the newspaper's inside pages.

"You can imagine how I felt this morning when I opened my newspaper and saw one of the front- page stories ? I could only look at and marvel," the Premier said.

Pointing out that the newspaper kept reports of the exercise on inside pages, Mr. Scott said: "The regiment today got its first front-page coverage and the headline was 'Regiment soldiers arrested at airport'.

"The event with those soldiers was unfortunate ? but it was three out of 240. Where's the story of the 240? Where's the praise and front page coverage of those men who trekked up over the Blue Mountains with rifle and pack over three days going without showers and food and all? Where's the coverage of the leadership that kept them together? Where's the story of how they all came back stronger for that exercise?

"That headline should have said '240 supermen and women return from Jamaica'."