Bermuda's new US Consul General yesterday pledged to build on the strong relationship between the Island and its massive neighbour.

And Larry Owen signalled that controversy over repairs to the ageing Longbird Bridge could soon be ended.

Mr. Owen -- who has been on the Island for just three weeks -- said: "We have discussed the base issue in very broad terms.

"We're at the stage where I want to be very clear about the desires of the Bermuda Government. The beginning stage is to make sure we understand the position of Bermuda.

"It's a difficult problem and I'm sure from the Bermuda perspective, when people see how large the US is and how large the US budget is, they see this as a relatively small issue for the US and for Bermuda a relatively large issue.

"But from the US side, it's not so simple, as bases are being closed around the world and precedents set in one spot will have an impact in other places.

"The bridge may be another issue and that's something we'll be getting more educated on.'' Bermuda is claiming an estimated $65 million will be needed to clean up the old Naval Air Station in St. David's and the Annex in Southampton.

Problems left behind include tons of asbestos, hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil which leaked from storage tanks and poisonous heavy metals.

The US still has an obligation to maintain the bridge under the original treaty agreement -- even though the US Navy quit Bermuda in 1995.

Mr. Owen added: "I have met with the Governor, the Premier, Deputy Premier and the Opposition Leader.

"I expect to meet with everyone in the Cabinet in the next couple of weeks.

"We've had a pretty good start and I'm learning very quickly what the issues are -- the reality is there are very few and that's a good thing.'' Mr. Owen -- who has served on Michigan state committees in connection with health and social services and is a trustee of Michigan State University -- said he had been following the debate on educational standards in Bermuda with interest.

He added: "I've noted the sharp focus on education, as is the case in the US and elsewhere in the world. We all see the same thing -- in the global economy, the greatest resource is the skills and capacity of our people.

"The areas which are going to be most successful are the ones where information is at a premium. "I have a strong interest in that as a trustee of one of the largest institutions of higher education in the US.

"If there are ways I can informally be of assistance in promoting strong education, I'd like to be able to do that.

"Nobody loses when another area gets better at educating its children -- everybody wins.'' Mr. Owen -- a lawyer and businessman from the Michigan town of East Lansing and major player in the state's Democratic camp -- has no previous diplomatic experience.

But he said he was confident in his ability to act as the bridge between Bermuda and the US.

Mr. Owen added: "I've done a lot of different things in my career. I've had a wide variety of experience which is of value.

"What I find in this role is that it has a lot in common with every other job you do.

"Understanding other people goes a long way in any job, enabling you to do well.

"We're all human beings and we all really want to connect and look for honesty in our relationships. With that kind of foundation, you can do well -- not only in diplomacy, but in business and education.'' And Mr. Owen said: "My main job here is to cement and strengthen the friendship we have with Bermuda. Where I can play a positive role finding things where both states can gain from initiatives, I want to do that.'' He added: "I would like to eliminate this irritation which remains from the closure of the bases.'' Larry Owen