Bermuda’s solid relationship with Washington should counter fears it could suffer in a crackdown on tax havens, departing Consul General Grace Shelton said yesterday.Ms Shelton said she’s witnessed ties with United States leaders strengthen during her three-year stint on the Island, which comes to an end tomorrow.This will benefit Bermuda when key decisions potentially affecting the Island are made, she said, as well as improving both countries’ crime-fighting efforts.President Barack Obama’s election campaign has recently attacked Republican candidate Mitt Romney for his connections in Bermuda; some have labelled Bermuda a tax haven, although US Attorney General Eric Holder has said he would not characterise the Island that way.Ms Shelton said any fears the Island could be targeted should be treated as nothing more than speculation, especially when the relationship between the two countries is strong.“It’s important to have Bermuda represented in the US,” she told The Royal Gazette.“Bermuda has an office in Washington. Since I have been here, we have had two trips to Washington to meet leaders on the hill and the executive branch.“That’s a great opportunity for Bermuda’s leaders to tell their story and to create those links to the decision-makers.“I can’t tell what’s going to happen in the US election. Our budget is under stress, but it would be pure speculation to comment.“Bermuda and the US have a strong relationship. Those ties Bermuda has developed around Washington are useful.“From this office, we tell Washington what’s going on with Bermuda and the important role it plays with antiterrorism financing.“I think the anxiety and speculation about possible legislation is just that: speculation.”During an exit interview with this newspaper, Ms Shelton also reflected on efforts to counter gang-related crime which began to soar around the time of her arrival in August 2009.She said the US has helped by holding gang training through the FBI as well as sharing advice on how anti-gang initiatives in New York and Boston could be replicated in Bermuda.“I have seen Minister Perinchief talk about those adaptations coming into play now,” she said.“When someone asks for cooperation and we are able to help, it’s very satisfying.“It’s still an issue Bermuda is dealing with, but it’s satisfying to see the way the community has got involved, and the forming of the inter-agency taskforces.“The law enforcement cooperation between the US agencies and Bermuda Police Service has been very robust.“From a US perspective, our foreign policy says the security of American people depends on the relationship with our closest allies. That’s what we are trying to do with Bermuda.“We share values and a language which are ultimately the bedrock of our cooperation.”Ms Shelton said talks are still ongoing regarding the future of the four former Guantánamo Bay detainees currently living in Bermuda.And there appears little hope many Bermudians will get their wishes for the stop list to be relaxed or for the US to pay for the clean-up of the Island’s Baselands.The stop list will continue to apply to all countries, she said, and when asked about the Baselands she replied: “That issue was looked at very thoroughly before they signed the base agreement.”Meanwhile, Ms Shelton said being the first female Consul General to Bermuda had been an honour, explaining: “It was great. This is a great time to be a woman. Being a role model for girls and other women and working as part of a network of women. That’s been very rewarding.“Bermuda’s got a woman Premier, lots of strong women in different positions. It’s great to keep working on this issue.”Ms Shelton, who previously served in Slovenia, Belarus, Nepal and Malaysia, is now set for a two-year assignment advising middle level officers in Washington.She said she will miss Bermuda’s cultural side, particularly the chance to see performing Bermudian talent, and added: “I really want to thank the people of Bermuda for being so warm and welcoming and for sharing their Island.“It’s been a wonderful three years and I appreciate the support and the welcome that was given to me.”Her replacement, former SWAT team member Robert Settje, is due on the Island this week.