Two local community groups have taken the initiative to educate the Island on Britain's controversial citizenship offer.

"With the publication of the British White Paper on British citizenship we think we are compelled to foster a climate in the country of dialogue on this issue,'' Rolf Commissiong said yesterday.

"We think its a very critical issue coming into the 21st century.'' The Fort William Development Foundation and Citizens for a Better Democracy will hold a Thursday night forum from 8 to 10 p.m. at the St. Paul's AME Centennial Hall.

Entitled "British Citizenship or Independence: What's your choice?'', the meeting will bring together Phillip Perinchief, Corin Smith, Ian Kawaley, David Ezekiel and William S. Zuill as panelists to discuss different segments of the White Paper.

Mr. Commissiong will serve as moderator for the event.

"We're here and we want to make this an information gathering exercise as well, we want to get feedback from the Bermudian public,'' explained Mr.

Commmissiong.

"And we want to inform the current leadership on both sides of the house about what the current feelings of Bermudians are in regard to this issue.'' Both Mr. Commissiong and panelist Corin Smith said questions surrounding the attributes of independence remained even after the 1995 Referendum.

"Throughout the build up to the Referendum and since then there's been one consistent query which is, where do we get more information about independence and all the issues that are involved?'' said Mr. Smith.

"At no point has there been sufficient time for the public to really get a grip on this issue.

"I think that in the Referendum campaign the issue was so politicised the substance of the question wasn't dealt with.'' And Mr. Smith said although the White Paper spoke of self determination for the Island, it lacked true resonance.

"Self determination without independence is like a car without gas,'' he said.

INDEPENDENCE IND