Premier to get audience with Condeleeza Rice

Ewart Brown and Paula Cox leave for Washington today to meet up with a slew of politicians including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The Premier and Deputy Premier along with Finance Secretary Donald Scott will be in the capital until Friday with U.S. Consul General Gregory Slayton.

This is the second bilateral visit to Washington. Former Premier Alex Scott visited in May last year.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Dr. Brown said: "The Minister of Finance and I will be on roller skates during our 48-hour blitz, crisscrossing Capitol Hill. But it will be a worthwhile exercise because this is important work."

He said: "The Bermuda economy is very sensitive to political decisions made in Washington DC and the people of Bermuda need to know their elected leaders are looking out for the country's best interests in that regard."

Meetings have been scheduled with Senators Max Baucus, Norm Coleman, Sam Brownback and Susan Collins as well as Congressmen Charles Rangel, Arthur Davis, Kendrick Meek and Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

The delegation will also meet James Clyburn, the Majority Whip in the House, and Robert Kimmitt, the deputy secretary of the Treasury Department.

Mr. Slayton said he hopes the trips will become an annual undertaking.

He said: "Regular meetings between our two governments reinforce our already cordial relationship and lay the foundation for continuing rapport. We have been allies for more than two centuries, and it is in the best interests of both our nations to build on this positive alliance."

Courtesy of Bermuda Sun reporter Nigel Regan