Caribbean Forum was last night slammed by Opposition leader Pamela Gordon.

Ms Gordon said: "What I find reprehensible is that the Premier hasn't made an announcement about where she was going and what she's going to discuss.

"It's a slap in the face because, when they do come back, whatever is done is done.

"It's the height of arrogance and it's an insult to the people of this Country.'' Ms Smith -- accompanied by Finance Minister Eugene Cox and Education Minister Milton Scott -- is understood to have left the Island on Tuesday for the London meeting, to be opened by British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook today.

Ms Gordon added: "She is supposed to be the representative of the people of this Country and we're operating in the dark.

"The Premier has a duty to let the people of Bermuda know in advance when she is going to be discussing matters with the UK Foreign Secretary.

"She should tell us in advance rather than waiting for her to return and talk about her social functions.

"There is no accountability and people have to learn after the fact what has transpired.

"We don't know if what is on the Government agenda is in keeping with the desires of the people of Bermuda.'' The agenda for the two day talks -- the second Caribbean Forum -- includes financial matters, drugs and international crime, education, trade and investment and the global economy.

Also included are the issues of regional integration and judicial cooperation.

The Opposition leader went on to say: "The Government should tell the people of Bermuda in advance what is happening and what they intend to discuss so people have the opportunity to know what course the Government is taking and agree or disagree while there is still a chance of doing something about it.'' She stressed she had no idea what was on Government's agenda for the talks.

Former Gov't spokesman speaks out -- Page 8 Premier comes under fire Also attending the conference will be heads of the Caribbean Commonwealth countries, the Overseas Territories and some non-Commonwealth and non-government organisations as observers.

But she said -- as an example -- Ms Smith could bring up major issues like the stated Progressive Labour Party aim to rewrite the political map of Bermuda and slash the number of seats, without ever having canvassed the opinion of the people who elected her Government.

And Ms Gordon added people were still confused over the UK offer of British citizenship and wanted to know how and when the necessary legislation would be put through the UK Parliament and what options for work were available for Bermudian students in Britain prior to the legislation being passed by the House of Commons.

Pamela Gordan