Embattled conference consultant Bonnie Marshall stepped forward yesterday to clear her name and the air of controversy surrounding her involvement with the World Conference of Mayors.

Ms Marshall became the focal point of the prestigious event -- held this week in Bermuda -- due to an ongoing feud with the Department of Tourism over funding and support of the event which attracted some 70 mayors from around the world.

But Ms Marshall, who has been visiting the Island during the past eight years and has relatives here, told The Royal Gazette her only aim was "bridge the gap'' between Bermuda and the generous-spending African-American market.

And with the change in Government, she said she was no longer pursuing legal action against the Department of Tourism.

"I'm very happy about the new Government,'' said the president of the African American Global Trade and Tourism Council (AAGTTC) who had nothing but high praise for new Tourism Minister David Allen.

"Prior to November 9, 1998 my plan was to finish the project, get names, and kick butt. But on November 9 it changed. I have had bad feelings. I have bad memories, but they will fade.

"I believe this country has a promising and bright future with this Government.'' Ms Marshall, who boasted of being connected with many prominent African Americans, said World Conference of Mayors past president Johnny Ford approached her after he was referred to her by Moses Brewer of Coors who were sponsors of the WCOM.

"They were looking to take the conference to another level,'' she said, adding that she reluctantly agreed to become involved because she was already working on several projects.

But when she realised the power of the World Conference of Mayors convention and what it could do for Bermuda tourism, she said she jumped at the opportunity.

However, she claimed her efforts were continuously thwarted by the Tourism director Gary Phillips and his department which reportedly agreed to be one of the title sponsors of the event by pledging $100,000.

She also revealed that the Tourism Department asked that the conference be scaled back by reducing the conference dates.

But Ms Marshall said: "We had 50 rooms blocked and we sold out. We even had people at Marriott, Belmont, Southampton Princess and Clearwater Guest House.

"Despite all of this the event was a success. People came here for the first time and forged strong links.'' "This has been the most schizophrenic experience I've had in all my life,'' she added. "I was dealing with the people who I love. Then (Department of Tourism) Government was saying one thing and doing another thing. We were fighting to make this project a reality.'' Ms Marshall stressed that while she was disappointed with the Tourism Department's alleged refusal to honour its agreement with AAGTTC and with the fact that she has lost thousands of dollars in bringing the conference to Bermuda, money was never her motivation.

"AAGTTC's purpose is to facilitate international exchange between people of African descent,'' she explained. "This is not about me. I am simply a broker with an organisation in making these connections. My background is public relations, marketing and business administration.

"If it was about money. I would not have stuck with this project.'' Dismissing claims that she is a "classic scam artist'' and a "professional litigant'' as "all lies'', Ms Marshall said she did not know the motives of the past president of the NAACP Kansas City, Missouri branch who warned that no one should become involved with her after she organised an event there.