Premier to lead delegation to Washington DC

Government leaders are off to Washington next week for talks with leading US lawmakers with Premier Dr. Ewart Brown hopeful the Island is getting its message across.

Bermuda has been targeted by some US politicians who have labelled it a tax haven.

But Dr. Brown told a press conference yesterday: "This year's visit brings with it a greater sense of urgency.

"Tax information exchange agreements, offshore taxation and the global economy are all frontburner issues in Washington both on Capitol Hill and the White House."

Dr. Brown said he didn't expect the Bermuda delegation would meet President Obama but he was hoping to meet some of his staff.

He added: "I am confident the Bermuda story is being better understood by US legislators. I can remember a time when there were maybe ten people who understood what was going on in Bermuda if that. Now we have people who understand it more and more people who understand it, which is critically important. I don't think these trips are in vain at all."

Joining the Premier for the fourth annual visit to Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday are Finance Minister Paula Cox and US Consul General Gregory Slayton.

Deputy Premier Paula Cox said Bermuda had maintained excellent relations with the two taxwriting committees in the US Congress for more than a decade.

These include the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee which are the key bodies producing tax bills in support of the administration's key policies.

Talks would centre on the effort to produce a tax reform package to fund health reform, said Ms Cox, who, along with her Financial Secretary, will meet representatives from the National Foreign Trade Council on Monday.

She said: "The National Foreign Trade Council supports open markets and sound international tax policy."

US Consul General Gregory Slayton said Bermuda had worked hard on the relationship with positive results for both nations.

Mr. Slayton said in both the US Senate and House there was strong knowledge about Bermuda and even friendship across the US political divide.

"The reality is Government works slowly but unless you have those relationships it doesn't work at all. Forget trying to call somebody you have never talked to who has no idea of who you are and what your country is about. That doesn't work."

And he said that strengthened relationship was paying off with the signing of a deal to allow the pre-clearance of private flights leaving Bermuda for America and the signing of a mutual legal assistance treaty.

And Dr. Brown said Bermuda had been vigilant by combating money laundering and by working tirelessly to create tax information exchange agreements, particularly with G7 countries.

He added: "Although we have spread this message widely, there is a new face in the White House and we must work to make sure the same messages historically well received in Congress are also well received by the Obama administration.

"We aim to reach the same level of understanding with the Obama administration that we reached with the two previous White Houses."

As well as formal meetings with politicians, the names of which will be released when the delegation returns, two social events have been set up.

Dr. Brown said: "Often these chats can be more productive than the formal talks."

On Tuesday film star Michael Douglas will be the guest of honour at an Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers function at the Capitol Hill Visitor Centre where Lucinda Spurling's film the "Lion and the Mouse" about Bermuda's history, will be shown.

And a reception will be held at the British Embassy in DC.

Dr. Brown said: "We will be burning both ends of the candle next Tuesday and Wednesday but that is par for the course on these bilateral visits.

"We put in the long hours because protecting and growing Bermuda's economy is among our most important duties."

Courtesy of Royal Gazette reporter Matthew Taylor