get in touch.

Twice in the past week, the two leaders missed each other when they called by telephone.

"He called me the other day,'' Sir John said last night. "But I was out greeting the (national soccer) team. We keep missing each other.'' Sir John said he will talk with Mr. Gore, whom he described as a friend, "with the understanding that in due course the President and I will meet''.

Sir John said efforts so far have put him in contact with Mr. Vernon Jordon, who is heading up the transition team for the incoming Clinton administration.

Other conversations have taken place with friends who are close to Mr.

Clinton.

The Premier was reluctant to say when the meeting with Mr. Clinton might take place.

Sir John said his aim in meeting the new president was to draw attention to the longstanding US-Bermuda relationship, the Island's democratic tradition and the fragility of its economy.

"I want to make sure that when they are considering their domestic agenda that there is nothing done that will adversely affect us,'' he said.

Sir John said the Island was possibly vulnerable to any legislative changes that could nullify provisions in the 1988 US-Bermuda tax treaty allowing businesses to write-off the costs of holding their meetings on the Island.

In the meantime, the Premier said the Island was still working with the Bush administration.

Earlier this week, he spoke to President Bush, who told him he felt he had done his best for the country. Sir John said the President said his election loss was the result of the economy and the desire for change.