In a speech reflecting Bermuda's motto - "Quo Fata Ferunt" - Bermuda was exhorted to summon up that "ingenuity, enthusiasm and opportunistic flair" in adapting to the fallout from last week's attacks on the United States.

And Dueane Dill, chairman of the Local Awareness Committee of the Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) said that the "fates" had dealt the Island a set of circumstances, still unravelling, that the community must be prepared for. Mr. Dill was addressing the Rotary Club's weekly luncheon gathering at Tuscany's restaurant, saying: "We should be proud of the economic miracle that is Bermuda."

Mr. Dill praised the Island's history of success in international business and tourism. But he said that complacency was clearly not an option.

"The events of September 11 have shown us that nothing is promised and everyone is susceptible to harm and change. The 'Fates' have put us in a tumultuous position."

He said: "All Bermuda's industries, whether relating to tourism, or International Business, are about to experience a period of significant change. Nobody knows exactly what this tragedy could mean for Bermuda, we've heard estimates, and from some companies, actual dollar figures. But, the spin-off effects could be far more reaching. Some predict a downturn in visitor figures and offshore business; others predict a growth.

"What we do know for sure is that we as a community must be prepared. This means we cannot sit back, and wait while the world decides our fate. Our international business community must be an engine running on flexibility, change, and innovation. The same goes for the tourism industry," said Mr. Dill.

"Basically, we all must adapt to overcome this situation. Each company, organisation and individual must realise that times have changed and so must we." He added: "In short, we've got to make things happen instead of waiting for them to happen. And that entails us summoning up that Bermudian Spirit, that ingenuity, enthusiasm, and opportunistic flair. We will go where the fates carry us, but what we do when we get there is all up to us."

Asked by Rotarian W.A. (Toppy) Cowen to comment on what he saw as a lack of direction from the Government, Mr. Dill said that he could not speak for the Government.

Mr. Cowen had said that Government had been a "little bit slack" in not advising Bermudians "to perhaps curtail spending" and put off planned trips abroad, adding: "Government is a little bit slack in reminding people this could be a long, long downturn."

Mr. Dill said that BIBA had cancelled International Business Week this year in response to the crisis, and was planning a forum in which community leaders "will allay some fears and give some advice as to what can be done for the future".

But Mr. Cowen insisted: "We have heard nothing from Government."