Fears that Bermuda could lose a 40-year agreement it has with the UK because of the Premier's Guantánamo actions were voiced in the Senate yesterday.

Opposition Senator Michael Fahy and Independent Senator Joan Dillas-Wright said they both worried that a general entrustment agreement, which allows the Island to negotiate directly with other countries on some issues, would be rescinded because Premier Ewart Brown failed to consult with Britain about bringing the four Uighurs here.

The pair spoke during a take note motion in the Upper Chamber about the decision to bring the former Guantánamo Bay prisoners to Bermuda last month.

Sen. Fahy said it was important everyone knew how and why the negotiation process between Bermuda and the US took place without Britain's involvement because "the general entrustment agreement is on the table".

And Sen. Dillas-Wright added: "We will know by the end of this month whether or not this (the agreement) will pan out."

She added it was incumbent on the Government to explain the process by which it reached its decision on the four men.

Details of what Bermuda could stand to lose if the UK opts to withdraw the 1968 general entrustment agreement are revealed in documents obtained by The Royal Gazette.

The papers show that Bermuda was given power to:

l Negotiate and conclude trade agreements with other countries;

• Arrange or allow visits of up to 30 days for trade or commercial purposes by representatives or residents of Bermuda to any other country;

• Negotiate and conclude agreements of purely local concern with any independent member of the Commonwealth or the US or such other authorities that the Bermuda Government may request and the UK Government approve;

• Negotiate and conclude agreements for technical assistance or of a cultural or scientific nature with any independent member of the Commonwealth or the US or such other authorities that the Bermuda Government may request and the UK Government approve; and

• Negotiate and conclude agreements with other countries, whether bilateral or multilateral, relating to emigration from Bermuda to those countries and to emigrant labour schemes.

The agreement says it is necessary for the Bermuda Government to inform the UK of any such negotiations and keep it informed of progress.

The Opposition has appealed to the UK not to punish Bermuda for Dr. Brown's actions over the Uigurs by withdrawing the deal.