US-style green card system to give non-Bermudians security.

But representatives of the Portuguese and West Indian communities also backed the option of Bermudian status for some long-term residents.

Anna Faria of the Portuguese Bermudian Organisation said: "I know there are people out there who say `as long as I'm safe, it's okay' -- but there are cases where grants of status shouldn't be ruled out.'' She was speaking days after Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness unveiled a major discussion paper aimed at easing the plight of long-term residents.

Among the possibilities aired were a working resident card, giving long-term residents the right to live and work in Bermuda indefinitely, which would be revokable in some circumstances.

Also discussed in the Green Paper was an amnesty -- status for residents of 20-years plus standing -- and the waiving of the legal requirement for three-yearly advertising of jobs held by long-term residents.

Mr. Edness did not rule out long-term residents being able to buy a home on an equal footing with Bermudians -- but a vote will only come with status.

Ms Faria said the paper contained many different options and she had not been able to examine them all or discuss them with the Portuguese community. But she added: "The general feeling I get is one of hope. People are finally getting the feeling that something is going to be done.'' And she added that long-term residents -- no matter where their origins lie -- should make sure their voices are heard.

Ms Faria said: "My first thought was `oh, no, more vagueness -- we have been talking for five years. But the paper very clearly states different possibilities and options..

"There are a lot of options put forward and I would hate to think that people were lax about giving feedback and getting a decision which didn't reflect public feeling.

Optimism for Green Paper "If people don't make enough noise about it, Government may try and take the easy way out.'' And she added: "Some people with interests elsewhere, the right of appointment in their jobs might be sufficient for them. But I would hate to see status closed. There should be some provision for some to have the right to apply.'' Ms Faria cited families where some children had status and others didn't as cases for status.

She also pointed to quirks in the system where older children born elswhere would get status while younger ones born in Bermuda would not.

According to the latest statistics, there are more than 460 long-term residents -- 20 years or more -- originally from Portugal or the Azores in Bermuda, second only to people from the United Kingdom.

There are also more than 300 long-term residents from the Caribbean islands, with almost half originally hailing from Jamaica.

West Indian Association vice-president Shurnette Caines said the Caribbean community were traditionally reluctant to pressure Government for more security.

She added: "It's something we have discussed -- the reason we have not got into a fight about all of this is that we feel people have a right to say who they have in their own country or not.'' But she pointed out West Indians had contributed a lot to Bermuda over the years, especially in the fields of policing, nursing and teaching.

Mrs. Caines said: "We have served, we have given -- at least give us some rights.

"I think Government should look at the residents' cards. That would give people the right to feel secure and even find somewhere to live.

"If they are going to allow people to stay for 20 years you should be able to go to bed at night and not have to think you might get kicked off the Island the next morning.'' But she agreed with Ms Farias that the option of status should be retained as an option.

GOVERNMENT GVT