trying to turn Congressional momentum to close the US Naval Air Station.

The Premier is flying to Washington to meet with the new secretary of the Navy Mr. John Dalton.

But it is his meeting with Congressman Mr. Ron Dellumns that will mark the first opportunity to change the mind of a representative who is part of the movement to close the base.

Mr. Dellumns is chairman of the Armed Services Committee which has drafted legislation to withdraw funding for the base 90 days after it has passed.

The Premier's task is complicated by the fact that Mr. Dellumns has lost more jobs to military base closures in his California district than any other Congressman -- an experience that could make him less than sympathetic to Bermuda's plight.

"It will be a delicate meeting,'' one source said. "Mr. Dellumns will understand. The question is: Will he be sympathetic?'' Today's schedule will also see the Premier meet with Congressmen who have supported Bermuda in the past. One meeting will be with Congressman Charles Rose whose North Carolina district includes Camp Lejeune, where the Bermuda Regiment does its training.

The Premier's visit takes place as Congressional machinery moves on Defence Authorisation Bill FY94, which contains a clause that would "prohibit the operation of the Naval Air Station, Bermuda.'' Sir John may have gained a reprieve on the Bill, which was scheduled to come before a Senate/House of Representatives conference in the last two weeks of September.

Washington sources last night told The Royal Gazette that debate in the House may prevent the Bill from going before conference before October.

The delay will allow the Premier more time to lobby Congressmen but also give the British Embassy in Washington more time to work on Bermuda's behalf.

Embassy staff have been mobilised to carry Bermuda's arguments to key players.

Letters have been sent to selected Congressmen advising that closure of the base would necessitate temporary closure of the Bermuda Airport, which is operated by US base personnel.

The embassy has already communicated with the US airline industry "to make sure it know what's going on.

"The airlines can be a very important ally for us in this,'' a Washington source said.

While the Premier may have more time to fight Bill FY94, a development last week saw another base threat emerge. Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, who is the driving force to close the Bermuda base, passed another FY94 amendment that gives Congress, not the Administration, the power to close overseas bases.

"This represents a worsening of the situation,'' one source said.