The debate over Bermuda's links with Cuba seems destined to go on and on with no end in sight.

That's because the Government has yet to provide a reasonable explanation for its strange infatuation with the island and its communist dictator.

A number of arguments can be made for developing relations with Cuba.

One is to follow the British and Canadian line that "engagement" with the Cuban government provides the opportunity to protest its many human rights violations at the same time that it provides Cubans with some exposure to a better way of life.

Sadly, the Bermuda government has failed to do that, notably when it signed its memorandum of understanding on cultural exchanges with Cuba.

The second argument is that building links with Cuba now will stand the Island in good stead when Fidel Castro dies and the possibility arises that Cuba will join the community of free nations and embrace democracy and free markets.

But that argument has only been made very quietly, if at all.

Instead Bermudians have been subjected to the kind of foolish equivocation and dissembling rhetoric that communist and Nazi sympathisers used to mouth after being guests of honour of Stalin, Hitler or Mussolini. If Mussolini got Italian trains to run on time, then Fidel has provided Cubans with universal health care, and never mind the jailed dissidents.

Even if Government MPs did make the arguments above, they still have to be weighed against two other factors. The first is whether Bermuda wishes to align itself with a country where dissent is ruthlessly quashed, opponents of the regime are locked up for life and alleged criminals are executed by firing squad without due process.

The second is whether Bermuda wants to take the very real risk of annoying the Island's long-time friend, former military protector and biggest trading partner over the issue.

The United States, through its Consul General, Denis Coleman, has made it clear that it is very unhappy that Bermuda agreed to let regular charter flights from Cuba land on the Island.

No one should make the mistake of thinking that these comments are simply the sounding-off of a soon-to-depart diplomat. Mr. Coleman speaks for the US Government in Bermuda.

On Friday, Premier Alex Scott seemed genuinely stunned by Mr. Coleman's comments. But the Bermuda government has gone out of its way since 1998 to ignore the US, apparently believing that closer ties with the Caribbean Community and Cuba are more important.

Indeed, no one in Government seems to have recognised Mr. Coleman's central point. Last year, Bermuda said it was only interested in cultural ties with Cuba. Less than a year later, the Government agreed to allow the charter flight to land here, a clear economic tie.

Mr. Coleman is understandably annoyed; he feels he was lied to. So Bermuda has annoyed the Republican administration over Cuba at the same time that the Island is attacked by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry at every opportunity. If this is how Bermuda would handle its diplomatic relations after Independence, then God help us all.

But the central questions remains. What is it about Cuba that is so special that Bermuda would jeopardise its relations with the US, a country which no matter how imperfect, remains streets ahead of Cuba in terms of freedom?

MP Nelson Bascome said on Friday that the US has been accused of human rights abuses of the suspected terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay. What Mr. Bascome missed is that he can make that criticism, as could any American, and continue to live his life quite happily. A Cuban who criticises his government will be put in jail.

So what gives?