"I am not overworked, let's just leave it at that.'' jokes outgoing US Consul General Larry Owen, when asked about his typical day.

And from his relaxed manner it is clear Mr. Owen has enjoyed his 18 months on the rock after getting the appointment from pal Bill Clinton whose 1992 election Mr. Owen helped mastermind.

He says: "I told my local papers back home in a kidding manner I should be applauded for keeping the peace, we're not at war. Foreign aid is at zero and in my time no one has been lost in the Bermuda triangle -- I am proud of that.'' Indeed Mr. Owen says his primary role was to make sure one particular Bermuda triangle survived -- the tri-partite relations between the Island, the US and UK.

"The objective is to make sure nothing happened to undermine that relationship. It's like preventative medicine.

"The base lands is an example of the fact that relations between Bermuda, the UK and the US are very very good so any issue between the parties stands out such as the base lands issue.'' Mr. Owen found the change from his Michigan base was easy to make.

He says: "It's an opportunity for an international experience without feeling you are very far from home. We have enjoyed it very much.

"There's a British heritage here, obviously Americanised but it retains its own unique character.

"These days it's an international hub financially which does add a lot of flavour to the mix.'' Mr. Owen laughs off rumours in the Washington Post that the Consulate was to shut.

"Remember that's a gossip column. The source was not identified but it was said to be a career State Department person.

"There are some in the State Department who have been resentful of the fact that President Reagan elevated the profile of the post by making it a presidential appointment.

"Only about one quarter or one third of ambassadors are presidential appointments and those consul generals are treated the same as an ambassador as a result of what Reagan did. Bush and Clinton continued it.

"Some bureaucracy resent that -- it was always a bureaucratic appointment prior to Reagan.

"There's a small group of people who would just as soon cut off their nose to spite their face. That's all that it is, I think.'' Around 40 staff work at the consulate. Their tasks include helping Bermudians clear US customs hurdles before they even leave, which speeds their journey once they reach the US.

Helping and promoting business and looking after around 25 US families working for US Customs, Immigration and in US agriculture also form part of the work.

"We deal with US tourists in trouble -- people who get injured and ill and also we have some citizens in the prison and we are also processing visas and passports. A big chunk is servicing all the American personnel.

"There's a good deal of American business here. Here, as in other parts of the world, one of the assignments of American diplomatic personnel is to promote American business.'' Mr. Owen is sanguine about his departure from his post -- and he reveals he would have had to go even if Gore had kept the White House for the Democrats.

He says: "The typical political appointment runs for two to two and half years.'' And he says it could be sometime before he has to ship out.

"I will be the last to know. This is a new administration. If anyone was selected tomorrow it would be difficult to get through that process and be here in less than six months.'' Asked about his outstanding memories he says: "There are really good people here,'' That's something his successor should realise, say Mr. Owen.

"The most important thing is to reach out for personal relationships with people here -- the ordinary people, the business people and people in Government.

"There's a tendency on the part of some on the American side to be arrogant.'' "My experience is if you reach out and treat people as people there are rich, rewarding and satisfying relationships you can build here with very interesting knowledgeable, intelligent and warm people.

"That's what makes it worthwhile.''