Senator Kim Swan warned leaders on the Island to be wary about links with communist Cuba.

He was speaking during the motion to adjourn in the Upper House last night.

?We have had some grave pronouncements with the Cuba relationship and what stands out mostly are that the US Consul General has found it necessary to make comment himself,? Sen. Swan said.

Last week, United States Consul General Denis Coleman said the economic links with Cuba could result in problems between Bermuda and the US and that he was ?strongly against? any commercial relationship.

Mr. Swan added: ?As we discuss this Budget we have said how important diplomacy is and how stable are economy is.?

He said that the US has contributed ?greatly? to the economy and he cautioned Bermuda leaders over any ?disparaging? remarks made about the neighbouring country.

?Members of parliament must be mindful of what we say and in particular what we say about the US and in part what we say about Cuba,? he said.

He charged leaders with the responsibility of upholding good relations with the US.

He added that it took a long time to create a stable relationship with the US but added that it would be very easy to lose it.

Government Senator Larry Mussenden countered Sen. Swan?s remarks adding that the Opposition Senate Leader was proclaiming ?doom and gloom? for the Island.

?The Government of Bermuda has had a very rewarding relationship with the US. ?We have mutual respect for each other.?

Sen. Mussenden said the Bermuda Government has had meetings with the US Consul General on a regular basis and to his knowledge issues with any Cuba links had not been brought up.

He said a formal complaint had not been received and he added that he did not believe Government should respond to the problem because it was in the media.

?If there is a problem there is always an open-door policy.?