The island is one of 16 territories specified as non-self-governing which the UN wants to see decolonised in line with General Assembly resolutions 1514 and 1541.

Talks geared towards decolonisation had been going on between the UN and some administering powers ? Britain, in Bermuda's case ? during the past 12 months, Mr. Annan said.

The news of Mr. Annan's announcement came as Premier Alex Scott revealed yesterday that he would be addressing the subject of Independence in a speech at the end of this month.

Mr. Scott said yesterday he supported Mr. Annan's stance on decolonisation as his Progressive Labour Party had long favoured Independence.

He added the fact that Bermuda remained an Overseas Territory justified it being on the UN decolonisation list. But Opposition United Bermuda Party Leader Dr. Grant Gibbons yesterday said the UN had no business "telling the people of Bermuda what's good for us".

And a spokesperson for the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) denied that talks with the UN had taken place over "decolonising" Bermuda.

Addressing the Special Committee of 24 at the opening of their 2004 session, Mr. Annan said: "During the past year, the Special Committee consulted with some of the administering powers on a series of actions that would trigger a process of decolonisation within this decade.

"I welcome this development and I hope it continues in full partnership with the administering powers, as well as with the active participation of the peoples of the territories."

The UN defines decolonisation as achieving a final status of each territory comprising either free association or integration with another state, or Independence.

Mr. Annan continued: "In the 21st century, colonialism is an anachronism. I therefore hope that, in the year ahead, all administering powers will work with the Special Committee, and with the people in the territories under their administration, to find ways to further the decolonisation process.

"After all, decolonisation is a UN success story, but it is a story that is not yet finished."

Mr. Annan made his comments last Thursday in New York.

Premier Scott told the he backed Mr. Annan's stance.

"The PLP has consistently favoured Independence for Bermuda and that position has not changed," Mr. Scott said.

"Similarly, the British Government has consistently taken the view that if the people of a territory can clearly demonstrate a desire for Independence, the United Kingdom will not stand in their way."

The Premier added that he was unaware of any talks taking place between Britain and the UN over Bermuda's future.

And he felt it was right that Bermuda's name continued to appear on the C-24 list.

"I think it's fair to say that in spite of a large measure of self-government, the fact that Bermuda remains an Overseas Territory would appear to justify its being on the list," Mr. Scott said.

"It will be of interest to a significant number of Bermudians and party members that I will be addressing the subject of Independence in my speech to be delivered at the PLP Founders Day Luncheon."

The lunch will take place at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel on Sunday, February 29 at 1 p.m.

Mr. Annan's announcement comes as relations between the Bermuda Government and Government House are still recovering from the row over the selection of new Chief Justice Richard Ground.

Mr. Ground was the choice of the Governor, Sir John Vereker, while Premier Alex Scott preferred naturalised Bermudian candidate Norma Wade Miller.

When Mr. Ground's selection was announced two months ago, Mr. Scott accused the British Government of using a "colonial" procedure.

When we sent questions regarding Mr. Annan's comments to Government House, Deputy Governor Nick Carter made no comment and referred us to the FCO.

An FCO spokesperson yesterday denied that any talks between Britain and the UN Special Committee had taken place on the subject of Bermuda.

"We believe it's for the territories to decide whether they want Independence and provided there is a broad majority in favour, then Britain would not stand in their way," she said.

"There have been no talks between Britain and the UN on individual territories.

"As far as we're concerned the views of the people of the territories are what's most important."

She could not specify whether Britain and the UN had been talking about the process of decolonisation in general.

Opposition Leader Dr. Gibbons said it was for the people of Bermuda to decide whether they wanted to sever links with the UK.

"With all due respect to the UN, we really don't need them telling us what's good for us," Dr. Gibbons said.

"We are a sophisticated and mature people and it's a matter for Bermudians to decide when and how we wish to move to Independence.

"The day will probably come when the Bermudian people decide that Independence makes sense and I suspect it won't be because of what some politically correct committee at the UN is saying."

He added that, as a small country, Bermuda tended to be lumped together with other small countries, even if those countries' circumstances were markedly different.

"I think Bermuda is probably unusual in that we are one of the few old colonies where the standard of living is actually higher than that of the parent country," Dr. Gibbons added.

"Our constitutional arrangements with the UK are quite sophisticated and I believe the UK understands that when we are ready to go, and the Bermudian people indicate that, then there will be no problem in going to Independence."

A 1995 referendum on Independence showed almost three-quarters of Bermuda's voters were opposed to cutting links with Britain.

Last May, the UN held a decolonisation summit in one of the non-self-governing territories on the C-24 list, Anguilla. No representatives from Bermuda attended.

The highest-ranking British official to attend the summit was Roy Osborne, deputy head of the Overseas Territories Department, who called for Bermuda's name to be removed from the list.

Mr. Osborne said: "Bermuda is as close to Independence as she could be without taking that final step.

"So I don't think describing Bermuda as being under colonial administration comes anywhere close to reflecting the reality of the situation, which makes me wonder what Bermuda is doing on the C24 list."

After his statement, Mr. Osborne said his department was ready for Bermuda to take the final step towards Independence. And he added that the Bermuda Government had been given increased autonomy over the years with the expectation it would lead to Independence.

n It was in 1960 that the UN General Assembly first adopted the Declaration on Decolonisation. That was followed by the establishment of The Special Committee on Decolonisation in 1962, to monitor progress around the world.

The UN's Decolonisation Unit of the Department of Political Affairs, provides support to the Special Committee of 24 on Decolonisation, which Mr. Annan addressed last week.

The 16 non-self-governing territories named on the C-24 list are: American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guam, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Tokelau, Turks & Caicos Islands, the US Virgin Islands and Western Sahara.