Bermuda should ditch the idea of linking up with Britain's other Overseas Territories in a joint response to Britain's rewrite of relations with its colonies, a top businessman said.

And JC (Kit) Astwood added: "Our Constitution, our legal and Parliamentary system are in place, our monetary rules are in place, the whole world view of Bermuda is one of respect for what we have done.'' The chairman of the Chamber of Commerce economic development committee was speaking at a business breakfast organised by the Chamber to get opinions on the White Paper proposals from the UK.

Mr. Astwood said the White Paper offer of full UK citizenship meant greater access to education and training, travel and Britain's network of diplomatic representation.

He added that neither the Constitution or the Island Parliament's right to legislate for and govern Bermuda were under threat.

And he said that the Island did not face losing powers to the UK, being under Britain's thumb or being hit with new, imposed, taxes.

But Mr. Astwood reminded guests that the Island would always face adjustment to new global financial standards and be under threat from competition from other jurisdictions.

And he said: "We enjoy free access now with our major trading partner, the United States of America, but with work restrictions.

Mr. Astwood asked if Bermuda should "expand our global access by accepting the even better terns and conditions on offer in the UK White Paper.'' And he added: "The financial services sector will always be under scrutiny and burdened with keeping themselves regulated up to world-class standards.'' But he added: "This has nothing to do with this White Paper as such because new rules will always be emerging from the global regulatory bodies set up for that purpose.'' Mr. Astwood added the purpose of the meeting was for the business world to "gather your thoughts'' on the subject and prepare itself to brief Government on the financial sectors views on the White Paper.

BUSINESS BUC