month, the son of a local lawyer claimed this week.

College student Mr. Kamathi Warner was referring to the November 5 visit of American Mr. Alex Pacheco, one of the leaders of (PETA) People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"I have always thought that terrorists and those who support terrorist organisations were not welcome in our country,'' the 19-year-old son of Mr.

Archie Warner said in a letter to the The Royal Gazette .

The student claimed a recent US report said PETA was a mouthpiece for one of the 10 most dangerous terrorist organisations, the Animal Liberation Front, responsible for a "significant'' proportion of US domestic terrorism.

Mr. Pacheco was brought here by a group of animal lovers to speak to the SPCA and other residents concerned about the cruelty to animals on the Island.

He also appeared on a ZBM television special with Government veterinarian Dr.

Neil Burnie. This prompted Mr. Warner, the son of lawyer Mr. Archie Warner, to ask, "Is there some link between our Government and terrorism?'' He said PETA was mentioned in a US Office of Technology Assessment report called "Technology Against Terrorism -- Structuring Security''.

"PETA leaders were charged in this report as having acted as intermediaries to the press for the Animal Liberation Front, including the distribution of a videotape of an ALF break-in,'' Mr. Warner said.

Mr. Warner called on Government to "declare this man persona non grata'' and take steps to "counteract any support he may have gained here''.

Mrs. Susan Leighton, one of the people responsible for bringing Mr. Pacheco to Bermuda, yesterday dismissed the student's claims as "crazy''.

Local oil tycoon Mr. John Deuss and girlfriend Miss Suzanne Ericsson of Ocean View Stables were also members of the group that invited him here. They did not comment.

Mrs. Leighton said Mr. Pacheco was brought here in good faith and she was totally unaware of any US report linking his organisation to terrorism.

"Throughout his talks he stressed the need to work within the law to prevent cruelty to animals,'' she said. "He never at any time suggested we break the law.'' Animal rights activists have been known to let loose abused animals to bring attention to them.

She added PETA had been hit with heavy opposition from US companies because of its success in closing down laboratories involved in animal testing.

Mr. Warner said: "Let's see some action before we have the IRA here for the Bermuda Festival and Hezbollah on News and Views.'' Immigration officials could not be reached for comment and a Police spokesman said Police do not control who comes in and out of Bermuda via the Airport.