dependent territories.

But Premier Pamela Gordon last night stressed the smaller territories in the Caribbean would not become a financial drain on Bermuda.

But she said Bermuda could help the Caribbean countries towards the more advanced financial and constitutional status Bermuda has.

Ms Gordon insisted: "They are not looking to us to solve their problems or be a cash cow.'' She admitted: "It's always a risk, that's a reality, but we have a moral responsibility to take the lead.

"I think we have taken the social responsibility in taking the lead in recognising we are not mother -- but maybe a big sister on the side.'' She added: "In many ways, our economy is more fragile than theirs because of the need for poltical stability and particular tax laws and tax codes.'' But she said a degree of unity among the UK colonies in the Americas would be valuable in dealing with Britain over a rewrite of its relations with its dependent territories.

Ms Gordon said: "Britain has said it will deal with each territory on its own merits.

"But if it finds out there are things in common they may be able to deal with some issues en bloc....Bermuda is so isolated when everybody is forming alliances.'' Ms Gordon was speaking at the end of a two-day mini-summit involving government heads from the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos and Montserrat.

She said the fact that Bermuda enjoys a much greater degree of self-goverment than the Caribbean colonies put the Island on "a different plane''.

But she added Bermuda could not only offer advice on reaching the stage of financial and political independence it has, but could learn from the Caribbean countries' much closer experience of semi-direct rule.

Ms Gordon said: "It's helpful to understand the nuances so we have a good idea of how the British Government thinks.'' She added that the new UK Labour Government had underlined its commitment to human rights.

And Ms Gordon said that was a good sign when it came to dealing with UK immigration and nationality acts -- which are at odds with international agreements on the rights of residence for citizens of overseas possession.

The British handling of volcano-ravaged Montserrat was an object lesson to all the Dependent Territories, Ms Gordon added.

She said the Montserratian delegates had complained about the massive power wielded by British civil servants with little appreciation of the regional problems.

She explained: "Listening to their plight and some of the insensitivities they have had to deal with...Bermuda has been very fortunate. We don't choose our Governors but we have some degree of input.'' Ms Gordon said one issue common to all the dependent territories, except the British Virgin Islands, was the possibility of full UK citizenship -- with all the rights of residence, education and work given to British subjects.

But she added: "If full citizenship in accordance with agreements on human rights is not made, there are other aspects like visa free access which may be considered and the BVI is interested in their young people having access to education and employment in the UK.''