associated with recent violence complained about a lack of support from the community.

More than 40 young men met again last night with Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay and community activists, three times the number that met just a week ago.

And Hostility toward media for suggesting the peace talks had not addressed the plague of drugs in the Island was never far from the surface, with several potential recruits balking at even discussing peace in the face of public criticism.

But the community activists worked for more than three hours with the newcomers who were put off by the perception the talks were a cover for drug activity.

In the end, two men spoke exclusively to The Royal Gazette about the talks and their desire to end the violence that has raged this summer.

Commissioner Lemay was equally frank in admitting he was "out on a limb'' with the talks, in the face of public criticism.

He agreed that such talks are nothing new in North America, emphasising it concerned all that younger people would become trapped within the cycle of escalating violence.

"To whom it may concern,'' participant Kimani Fubler said at the end of the long evening, "as far as people talking about drug involvement, they are just on the outside looking in.

"All of the people hanging on the street are not drug dealers,'' he added.

"Because we hang out as a group we're labelled as drug dealers. But how they label us is not our concern.

"Our concern is getting the message about the violence across to the young ones. To those that are criticising, I would let them know that no matter what they say, we're going to finish this.'' He added: "We are going to finish what we started. They are not in a position to run us down. I want to know why if we are having something positive, why would somebody try to discourage us?'' Mr. Fubler also had a message for the media -- both print and broadcast -- from the group which has seen its numbers swell at each of its three meetings.

"Why does the media always have to alter and add to the story and add to what they feel is a good story,'' he asked. "We're not interested in keeping your paper selling. We're interested in getting this message across to the youth.

"We want them to know that we have been there and done that and that's not the way to go,'' he added. "We're representing peace and harmony.'' Mr. Fubler warned the media: "Any further mention of drugs and gangs -- which take us away from what we're doing -- and they won't be entertained (granted access for interviews). They need to focus on the issue.'' Mr. Lemay admitted the face to face meetings were a first for Bermuda but not unusual elsewhere.

"Yes, in a way I am out on a limb,'' he said. "This has never been done before in Bermuda to my knowledge. This is the first time Police have sat down with individuals who represent groups that have been involved in antisocial behaviour.

"There has been criticism in the media and certain people in the community on what we're doing. Unfortunately people see things in a very narrow perspective.'' Mr. Lemay said the Police's position was clear to the men involved -- a binding peace treaty to end the violence.

"I hope that will be lasting and if we can help bring that about then I think we would have achieved our objective,'' he added.

Mr. Lemay was also clear he wanted see weapons stockpiled in the neighbourhoods handed over to Police.

He added: "There are also other issues, concerns and frustrations that need to be addressed and we are hoping that we will deal with them in regard to the peace process.'' Editorial: Page 4 CRIME CRM