the job.

Now Mr. Owen is expected to arrive on the Island to take up his post at the end of this month, following an official swearing-in ceremony by US Vice President Al Gore.

Mr. Owen -- currently in Washington -- said: "We haven't been able to plan anything, up until now, because we didn't know when the Senate was going to formally approve this.

"But the waiting's over, and we're excited to get down there.'' The full US Senate confirmed his appointment on Thursday evening and Mr. Owen was notified the following day.

Mr. Owen and his wife, Faylene, have been top fundraisers for US President Bill Clinton and other Democratic causes.

The East Lansing, Michigan, lawyer has worked for Republican Governor William Milliken and Democratic Governor James Blanchard.

Mr. Owen also served on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees for one term. He lost Democratic primaries for the candidacy for Governor in 1994 and 1998.

Mr. Owen said he expects to be in Bermuda for 18 to 24 months -- his appointment, unlike most US diplomatic appointments, lapses in November next year after Mr. Clinton quits the White House.

The new Consul General replaces Robert Farmer who left the job earlier this year. Mr. Owen attended three weeks of classes last month at the National Foreign Affairs Training Centre in Washington, D.C., to prepare for the post.

Last night Acting US Consul General Sylvia Hammond said: "We haven't had any official notification of his arrival and we don't know yet exactly when he will be here.

"But it won't be any time soon -- I wouldn't expect him to arrive before the end of this month or the start of next month. But we are hopeful it won't be any later than that.'' The news means that the US State Department will have to find Mr. Owen and his wife somewhere to live -- the official Consul's home, Chelston in Paget, together with its 14 acres, was sold off to a mystery US millionaire only weeks ago for a sum thought to be close to the $15 million asking price.

Staff at the US Consul General's office said then that Mr. Owen would at first live in rented accommodation while a search for a more modest residence goes on.

Chelston was put on the market last year as part of a cost-cutting drive by the US Government.