New Consul General Grace Shelton has played down the suggestion Bermuda's four former Guantánamo Bay detainees could be found homes in the United States.

Ms Shelton's predecessor Gregory Slayton had said he hoped Congress would change its policy on accepting prisoners released from Gitmo, suggesting the four men sent to Bermuda could be settled into a Uighur community near Washington, D.C.

However, asked about the likelihood of this, Ms Shelton told The Royal Gazette: "I think they are working and doing well here in Bermuda. We are satisfied with that. It looks as if they are adapting to Bermuda; Bermudians are providing them opportunities, which seems in character with Bermudians' nature."

Since arriving in Bermuda two months ago, the Uighurs have landed jobs tending Port Royal Golf Course, which is being prepared for the PGA Grand Slam in October. They have also been playing football in their spare time, plan to open a restaurant and are said to be enjoying guaranteed human rights for the first time in their lives.

Attorney General Kim Wilson has said they will be unlikely to ever get Bermudian status, even if the UK decides to let them stay here — but that they have every right to stay here indefinitely.

The Uighurs move, instigated by Premier Ewart Brown without permission from the UK or consultation with Mr. Slayton, has thrown Bermuda-US relations into the international spotlight.

Many fear President Barack Obama could also put the squeeze on international business because of the Island's reputation in some quarters as a tax haven. Ms Shelton is the first career diplomat appointed as Consul General in many years; while Mr. Slayton had a background in computers, Ms Shelton served in Slovenia, Belarus, Nepal and Malaysia.

Reacting to the appointment yesterday, Bermuda International Business Association CEO Cheryl Packwood told this newspaper: "President Obama is appointing seasoned and experienced diplomats in important posts where there are critical issues under consideration and where thoughtful well reasoned policies developed by experts can be implemented.

"I think this suggests a radical change from past approaches to Bermuda. I am very much looking forward to meeting Consul General Grace Shelton and working with her to strengthen international business interests between the United States and Bermuda.

"This is a critical period for Bermuda. We need to continue to forge ahead and nurture the full partnership we have supported so strongly over the past 400 years."

Ms Shelton suggested the Uighurs situation would serve Bermuda well, explaining: "I think the fact that Bermuda made the humanitarian gesture of accepting the four Uighur detainees illustrates the strength of our relationship."

Further reaction came in yesterday to Ms Shelton's appointment as the first woman in the role.

Kristy (Miss Thang) Burgess, founder of the Phenomenal Women's Association, said: "I am delighted and humbled to learn of the appointment of a woman to the position of US Consul General in Bermuda.

"It is evident that Ms Grace Shelton has behind her a plethora of valued experience and education that will help strengthen the relationship between two great nations, the USA and Bermuda. Her appointment should be seen as a vision of empowerment for Bermuda's women, young and old alike.

"I look forward to meeting with Ms Shelton in the near future to discuss relevant issues affecting young women not only in Bermuda, but in the USA as well."