A Bermudian businessman who operated tour boats out of Cuba yesterday welcomed the prospect of closer cultural links with the Communist country.

Government House has confirmed Bermuda has asked the British Government if it can draw up a Memorandum of Understanding with Cuba on cultural issues.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said last week that the British Government has not sought to dissuade Bermuda from forging cultural links but it reminded Jennifer Smith's government of concerns about human rights abuses in Cuba.

Transport Minister Dr.Ewart Brown is in talks about giving away old buses to President Fidel Castro, and possibly selling old ferries and cars.

News that Bermuda was hoping to form a Memorandum of Understanding was kept secret until the Mid-Ocean News revealed the story last Friday.

Opposition leader Grant Gibbons has denounced the prospect of a Memorandum as a "suicide pact" which could harm the Island's trading links with the United States, which has a long-standing embargo against Cuba.

But yesterday, Derek Morris of Bermuda Island Cruises, who ran two tour boats out of Cuba between 1996 and 2000, said developing cultural links would be good for the Island.

He said he hoped it would open up the possibility of Cuban entertainers coming to the Island.

He told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "I don't think there is anything wrong with cultural exchanges, wherever they are.

"Entertainment really doesn't have any borders and as far as giving the buses away to Cuba, I don't see anything wrong with that. It's not as if we are signing some pact to defend Cuba militarily.

"Tony Brannon (of Bermuda.com) is right about the importance of musical exchanges throughout the Caribbean.

"If we could relax the borders, it would give the opportunity for Bermudians to play one or two islands and it would open the doors for entertainers to come here.

"It would be wonderful to open the door to entertainment and encourage bars to bring in some bands. I see no problem with that at all.

"The only country that has an embargo against Cuba is the US. Even the UK doesn't have an embargo and that is what we are part of and it is not as if we breaking any laws."

Local writer and musician Ron Lightbourne, whose wife Grisella is Cuban, refused to be drawn on whether there should be a Memorandum with the Communist country, but said he only had positive experiences in Cuba.

"I grew up in the Caribbean until I was 17 and I have always had enjoyable, safe and fruitful times in Cuba and I can't think of one negative incident," he said.

"Cuba has kept some of the old values of the Caribbean very much intact such as courtliness and neighbourliness.

"If you go to someone's house you expect to be offered something and what is important is not what is offered - a cup of coffee or a meal - but that it is offered.

"What has struck me is how many people there are of high attainment. It is very common for people to have high cultural or intellectual attainment.

"People are very accomplished and have a wide range of conversation and are very informed. You have people of outstanding accomplishment who have genuine humility.

"I remember one conversation with a nuclear physicist who spoke to me in perfect English. I said I was impressed with the diversity of political opinions expressed in Cuba and he looked at me as if to say `What or earth did you expect?'.

"It is amazing how free Cuba is of the racial fracturing that is common in Bermuda. You will see a 60 year old dancing with a 30 year old, black people dancing with white people and all shades in between.

"There is so much heat and very little light and I would rather wait until all the smoke clears before I make any comments (on the cultural memorandum)."

His wife Grisella said yesterday: "I think all countries, not just Bermuda and Cuba, should have good relationships and links, but I know there is the US.

"It would be very good to have a nice relationship with my country but I understand Bermuda is a colony and you are afraid of the US.

"It would be better if you could decide for yourself what to do but it cannot be because you are a colony.

"In Bermuda, you have something similar to Cuba, but Bermuda is not in the Caribbean. It would be nice to have a good relationship where we help you and you help us."