Jamaicans in Bermuda have been encouraged to make their best contribution to Bermuda in a summit meeting with the country's Prime Minister PJ Patterson.

Mr. Patterson -- who met members of the Jamaican community in Bermuda on Saturday -- said: "I really met with them just to update them about events in Jamaica and to emphasise that Jamaicans abroad have contributed to the development of the country and that they are being encouraged to continue to contribute.

"I also said they have a responsibility to work for the enhancement of the communities and the countries in which they now live and work.'' Mr. Patterson was speaking only minutes after addressing the annual Progressive Labour Party banquet -- where his speech won a standing ovation.

He added that none of the Jamaicans he had met had complained of prejudice against them in Bermuda.

Mr. Patterson said: "I didn't detect that in discussions at all -- it wasn't raised at all.'' He added that he had been impressed by what he had seen of Bermuda in his flying visit.

Mr. Patterson said: "Bermuda seems to be doing quite well and the economy seems to be in good shape -- obviously, there were exciting developments which were indicated in the Throne Speech and one hopes that will be realised.'' He added: "I have already spoken about the preparedness to extend the hand of friendship from the Caribbean family should the government and the people of Bermuda indicate an interest in doing so.'' Earlier, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown, who went to school in Jamaica, and had two Jamaican grandparents, said he hoped Mr. Patterson's visit, the first by a Jamaican PM, would put an end to strains in the relationship between Atlantic Bermuda and its Caribbean neighbours.

Dr. Brown said: "Tonight perhaps we can put to rest our amibivalent and sometimes schizoid attitude to West Indians.'' He added that the only school named after a black teacher in Bermuda was Victor Scott -- who was a Jamaican.

But Dr. Brown said: "Despite that, some of us insist on referring to West Indians as `jump-ups'.'' He insisted, however: "I know of no other country whose citizens, whether they live in Jamaica, London, New York or Bermuda, will look you straight in the eye and make sure you know the country of their origin.'' He said that Jamaica was "a country which bends but does not break''.

POLITICS PTL PRIME MINISTER VIP