The Island’s top two politicians were in Washington last week for an intense two days of talks with legislators. But what exactly did Premier Ewart Brown and Deputy Premier Paula Cox set out to achieve with their visit — and what do DC’s movers and shakers make of Bermuda? Sam Strangeways reports.

In Washington, DC, it’s all about who you know and how they can help you — that’s evident from the way everybody greets each other like long lost friends while permanently scanning the vicinity for anyone potentially more useful.

On Capitol Hill, politicians’ flunkeys dish out smart white business cards embossed with the gold Congress seal like candy — and they want yours in return. “Who are you? What do you do? What can you do for me?” their perma-grins seem to scream.

The politicians themselves can do much for a whole lot of people; after all, these are the legislators who decide every day on the minutiae of federal law.

Every minute of their working day is pre-arranged and there’s little time for idle banter. So why would a dozen busy politicians agree last week to meet the Premier and Deputy Premier of Bermuda, a miniature country hardly noted for its importance on the world stage?

The key, according to US Consul General Gregory Slayton, who organised last week’s trip, is contacts. He admits its tough to get time with the top people — and there was really only one international household name on this year’s itinerary.

But those five minutes with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice count for a lot — and may open more doors if there is a third bilateral trip from the Island in 2008, as Mr. Slayton hopes.

“You have got to know the right people and be able to converse with them, not in a one-sided way but in a true relationship which is why this is not just a one-off,” he said.

Mr. Slayton is a firm believer in making friends in the right places — and that, along with giving legislators an accurate impression of Bermuda and lobbying on specific issues, is what last week was really all about. “You see these people a few more times and you actually get a friendship,” he explained. “The important thing about that is that when you need them, they’ll take your phone call.”

Alan Charlton, Deputy Ambassador for the British Embassy in DC, believes it’s important for the elected leaders of UK Overseas Territories like Bermuda to make themselves known to influential figures and tackle issues concerning their jurisdictions.

He met the delegation and praised the Island for setting a standard in how to go about doing that. “Particularly in the case of Bermuda they have, I believe, a very well organised and proactive effort to forge relations with the administrators and legislators,” he said. “These are obviously important given the close and important ties between the US and Bermuda. It’s not surprising and absolutely to be expected that the Premier and his key players will want to visit here from time to time to make sure those issues are in good order.”

Lobbyist Darlene Richeson works on behalf of the Government in DC to press the case for the Island when any legislation is being considered which could affect it.

She told The Royal Gazette that a previous — and unpublicised — visit to the capital by the Premier in March saw him meet with a number of key committee and subcommittee chairmen.

“The meetings last time were designed to make people aware of Bermuda and what some of the issues are and just further develop the relationships between Congress and Bermuda,” she said.

“The Premier would like to expand the relationships beyond the traditional ones that the Government has had in the past. It’s vital to have broad support in Congress and that’s what he’s seeking to do.”

She added that “reaching out” in person was the only way to guarantee the recognition factor. “Nothing replaces face-to-face and nothing replaces a Premier and Deputy Premier taking the time to come and meet with members of Congress,” she said. “Until they see the faces and get the face-to-face, it’s just words on paper.”

Lawyer Ken Levine, another DC lobbyist paid by the Government, agreed: “The legislature deals with lots of pieces of legislation that may affect companies or countries and if they don’t know who the companies or countries are they are more apt to do things with unintended consequences.

“If there are relationships that have been developed and they know who to call if they are considering something they are more likely to have a better understanding of the issue and how to deal with it.”

The idea that the “bilateral talks” are mainly about getting key players on side for any future need seems to be borne out by the US politicians.

Congressman John Lewis admitted of his meeting with Dr. Brown and company: “We didn’t discuss any big issues. We didn’t go into any detail.”

But he added: “It was a productive meeting. They just wanted to touch base with members of the Ways and Means committee.

“I think there is tremendous support and understanding of the country. I think we are all going to do what we can to be helpful and supportive.”

His fellow House of Representatives member Artur Davis is also scant on the specifics of his chat with the party. “I’m glad to have had the opportunity to meet with the Bermuda delegation,” he said. “Our two countries have had a mutually supportive relationship.”

Congressmen Lewis and Davis both serve on the powerful financial Ways and Means committee — as do a number of others who met with the delegation last week.

Since Bermuda’s buoyant economy relies largely on insurance and reinsurance companies being based here, it’s undoubtedly smart to stay chummy with those with clout on committees connected to tax legislation.

The issue of Congress potentially cracking down on offshore tax havens — not central to the bilateral discussions in 2006 — was this year’s number one topic. A meeting with Ways and Means chairman Charles Rangel, who said the Island had nothing to fear, left the delegation breathing a collective sigh of relief.

“Chairman Rangel actually gave us a talk about Bermuda and he led the way,” said Dr. Brown.

It was also Democratic Congressman Rangel who raised the issue of the former US navy baselands in Bermuda — to the delegation’s surprise.

He had remembered that the baselands in St. David’s and Southampton were never cleaned up after the Americans left the Island in 1994 and hinted that that could change if his party formed the next government.

The prospect of fresh bargaining on that topic is the kind of tangible result that voters will want to see from last week’s trip.

For Dr. Brown, the benefits of the visit are immeasurable. “The whole trip was marvellous,” he said. “There is no doubt that we have achieved more in the past 24 hours than I could have imagined. We have used taxpayers’ dollars well. We were well received everywhere we went.”

He added: “There is no question that face-to-face makes a difference and the fact that I have had pre-existing friendships with the Congressional Black Caucus doesn’t hurt.”

He’s right. Many of the names from his March visit cropped up again last week such as Democratic Majority Whip James Clyburn — proving that once your foot’s in the door, it’s a lot easier to keep getting back in.

And Dr. Brown, a former US resident, has other friendships in DC which he may be able to put to good use in the future.

His pals include Californian Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Diane Watson; fellow Howard University gradate and Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummins and Congressman Gregory Meeks from New York.

This time around, the closest the party got to the White House was the imposing Treasury Building next door on Pennsylvania Avenue, for a meeting with the Deputy Secretary Bob Kimmitt.

But those taking part in last week’s trip are convinced it helped put Bermuda on the map.

Mr. Levine cites a reception hosted by the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Re-insurers at the famous Charlie Palmer’s restaurant at the foot of Capitol Hill on Thursday night.

He said it was attended by dozens and dozens of senior Washington players. “I think it shows the understanding that people have of the importance of Bermuda in the world economy,” he said. “Bermuda may only have 65,000 people but it plays a major role in the world economy.”

North Carolina Congressman GK Butterfield was one of those attending and who spoke at a reception the next day. He has a personal interest in Bermuda since his father was born in St. George’s and he still has dozens of relatives on the Island.

“There is not much that Bermuda can do for members of Congress,” he said. “We are here because we believe in you.”

But further comments he made perhaps best sum up why American lawmakers might want to squeeze in talks with Bermudian officials.

“Many of my colleagues think that Bermuda is in the Caribbean and it’s not,” said Congressman Butterfield. “The more we understand the impact of Bermuda to our national security, the stronger the relationship will be.

“It’s the last stop between the US and Europe. We need to help Bermuda with its security and ensure that terrorists don’t begin to infiltrate Bermuda.”

In other words, politicians both here and in the States live by the diplomatic dictum that it’s better to make friends before you need them.

Who knows when Bermuda — the only landmass between the States and Europe — could prove important in the future.