Bermuda would be likely to reject new options for more self-determination short of Independence, Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said yesterday.

And she said any changes -- like "free association'' or the UN's "Fourth Option'', both more hands-off relationships -- would not be favoured.

Ms Webb said: "The Bermuda Government's position is we support Independence -- there is nothing the British have said to change our mind.'' But she added: "We would listen to the options but our position wouldn't change. But having said that, I don't know what they might be offering.'' Ms Webb was speaking after delivering a House of Assembly report on a meeting earlier between the Overseas Territories (OTs) and the UK Government in England.

She said the matter of new arrangements short of Independence was raised at the conference.

But she added that Bermuda -- unlike the other Overseas Territories -- already had more control over its own destiny, with the exception of foreign affairs and defence.

Ms Webb said: "Bermuda is in a very good situation at the moment -- we're having our cake and eating it.'' During the House of Assembly report, Ms Webb said: "In terms of the practicalities of the relationship, the sincerity of partnership at Ministerial level must be translated into reality.

"There are calls for the UK to be more open, listening to and addressing creative issues which emanate from the Overseas Territories.'' And she said delegates also questioned UK statements on "quality of governance and human rights'' against "UK policy preferences and priorities'' Ms Webb added that the conference also discussed whether British opinion on matters like probes into offshore finance centres by international bodies should prevail over "democratically-elected Overseas Territories Governments''.

Webb: Independence the `favoured option' She said: "In a modern partnership, it is questioned whether the UK should enter into international commitments that relate essentially to domestic issues affecting the economic and social prosperity of the territory, which bind the Overseas Territories without the express consent of the Government of the Territories.'' Ms Webb added: "There is real concern and frustration about the UK's international lead through the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, G7 and the European Union to extend international action through political commitments binding the UK, and thus the OTs, to deal with harmful tax competition issues.

"And it is questioned whether the UK is entitled to use its powers over the OTs when the OTs will suffer adverse economic consequences.

"A joint economic assessment to determine the economic impact of new regulations on the OTs is suggested.'' Ms Webb said: "There is no shortage of prescriptive standards and advice about good governance.

"But it is not acceptable to the Territories that good governance becomes a catch-all concept by which Her Majesty's Government would seek to impose its own policies, views, cultural and ideological values.

"This, it is argued, would negate real democracy and erode self-government.'' She added: "The Overseas Territories came away armed with a better understanding of what the British Government would like to achieve.

But she added: "It is evident that a modern partnership, although a laudable goal, has many issues and concerns which need to be thrashed out before a true partnership can be achieved.'' Renee Webb