got off to a flying start, according to top politicians from Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Premier Pamela Gordon said after the start of the first session: "It was an extremely good meeting -- a very good start in dealing with these very complex subjects.

"But we are on track to resolving and getting a consensus on the issues.'' All the delegates to the conference, involving five countries with British rule in common, have promised not to discuss the contents of the closed sessions.

But the UK has already asked for submissions from its Dependent Territories on citizenship, constitutional status and a possible name change to something less patronising.

Ms Gordon said: "What we are finding is that we have varying levels and we are trying to get a point of commonality. Until we come to a full consensus, we won't be discussing individual details or positions.'' Anguillan Chief Minister Hubert Hughes said: "I think the discussions were very significant in that it brought out common interests so far as the principle of self-determination for Dependent Territories is concerned.'' The Caribbean Dependent Territories have far less control over their own destinies than Bermuda, which is largely self-governing.

Mr. Hughes said: "The session also emphasised the fact that the Bermuda Constitution is the type of Constitution we would like to model the others on.'' He added that his Country had ruled out both Independence and more powers being given to its Governor, both thrown up for discussion by UK Conservative Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, now replaced by Labour's Robin Cook.

But Mr. Hughes said he did not expect major shift in policy under the Labour new broom.

He added: "The Labour Party is trying to show they are more conservative than the Conservatives these days.'' British Virgin Islands Chief Minister Ralph O'Neal said: "It was a free and frank discussion. We have not yet come to final agreements.'' But he said his Country also wanted more self-determination and a lighter UK hand.

Mr. O'Neal said: "It's not a question of power -- it's a question of finding solutions using the democratic process. All the Chief Ministers are sympathetic to this.'' David Brandt of struggling Montserrat said his priority was seeking support for changes in the way UK aid is given to his volcano-stricken country.

But he added the catastrophe which hit his island and the outpouring of support from the other dependent territories for Montserrat was a signpost to the future.

"It must send a message to the other dependent territories that, if before we had the feeling that we could stand by ourselves, that is no longer true.'' He added his government's position was that the UK topics for discussion were not appropriate for Montserrat.

He thanked the British people for their assistance -- but said the UK had to speed up its cash aid.

Mr. Brandt said: "They are using the normal methods of disbursement and that is totally inappropriate.'' And he added that the aid was being directed to the wrong purpose from a Montserratian point of view.

"Britain has been more responsive to programmes which would get people off the Island, rather than those which would allow people to remain.'' But he added that despite his country's problems he hoped common ground could be found among the territories beyond the present situation -- "a relationship in which together we are stronger than individually.'' Turks and Caicos Tourism, Communications and Transportation Minister Oswald Skippings said Bermuda was "more advanced constitutionally'' although "still termed a dependency''.

"At the least, we will be able to learn from them in terms of the experience they have had in getting there.''