This is the third part of an excerpt from 'Four Centuries of Friendship: American Bermuda Relations 1609-2009' edited by Marina Slayton, wife of US Consul General Gregory Slayton. Mr Slayton writes on future US-Bermuda relations.

With the US presidential election of 2008 behind us, we know President Barack Obama will take on perhaps the world's toughest job with an understanding and appreciation of the US-Bermuda alliance. Likewise, his Republican opponent John McCain had developed a broad appreciation of the US-Bermuda alliance over the years. These positive developments are due in no small part to meetings the Bermuda delegation has enjoyed with both Senators during the "DC visits"we have hosted each spring since 2006.

We also know, thanks to the hard work and dedication of many, that US-Bermuda relations are now close to or at an all-time high. In areas such as international business, tourism, education and health care, the importance of the US-Bermuda partnership has never been clearer. Indeed, the US now provides the huge majority of Bermuda's imports, tourists and financial capital – not to mention access to world-class universities and medical facilities for any Bermudian who needs them.

In other areas, such as the effective management of non-profits and care of the environment, important new bridges of cooperation are being built. Underpinning all these expanding partnerships is the strong, growing bilateral understanding and mutual support between our governments.

Yet, US-Bermuda relations have been strong before – think of our partnership during the Second World War and the Cold War – only to fall into periods of apathy, if not downright antipathy. So how can our common history help us build on the positive momentum we have now, and avoid another historic ebb in our bilateral relations?

What can we learn from our mutual history?

Over the past four centuries, there have been many twists and turns in the US-Bermuda alliance. Most have been positive developments for both sides; some have not. As we think through the preceding chapters, three over-arching themes appear that may help us steer our 400-year-old alliance forward. There are important lessons that can be learned from each of these themes:

Strength in unity: The United States and Bermuda are always stronger when we work closely with each other (Chapters 7 and 8, on the Second World War and the Cold War), when we trade actively with each other (Chapter 9 on the rise of Bermuda as the US reinsurer of choice), and when we visit each other frequently (see Chapter 5 on the tourism industry).

Lesson for the future: It is essential leaders on both sides of the US-Bermuda alliance work hard to promote greater bilateral partnerships, increased trade and easier travel between our lands.

These increasing links between our lands serve to strengthen our civic institutions, create wealth for all members of our societies and promote a better cross-cultural understanding between our peoples. While this makes intuitive sense, it must be kept in mind when political and/or economic pressures push political leaders to consider making unilateral decisions that might weaken the partnership. History clearly shows both sides of our alliance are stronger and better off when we work together, trade together and build for the future together.

Beware de-prioritising the US-Bermuda alliance: The United States and Bermuda are both weakened when at odds with each other (Chapter 4 on the US Civil War), or when competing priorities cause either or both lands to undervalue the partnership (Chapter 10 on the Changing US-Bermuda relationship). US imports, tourists and capital are absolutely critical to the economic health of Bermuda (Chapters 5, 7 and 9 on Bermuda's economic dependence on the US) – so the economic risks to Bermuda of a cooling in the US-Bermuda alliance are especially significant. Like all important, long-term relationships, it is easy to let the 'urgent' political priorities of the day crowd out the truly vital national commitments of a lifetime. When US and/or Bermuda leaders have allowed this to happen, both populations have suffered.

Lesson for the future: It is critical for both US and Bermudian leaders to always make the US-Bermuda alliance a top priority, no matter what the other pressing issues of the day. Too much depends on the US-Bermuda alliance to allow it to atrophy. While this is true for the United States, it goes 10-fold for Bermuda, given the Island's almost complete dependence on US imports, tourists and capital to keep its economy growing.

Promoting a three-way partnership: The United States and Bermuda share the oldest bilateral alliance in the New World – an alliance vital to each other's survival from the start (Chapters 1 and 2 on the founding of the US-Bermuda alliance). Along with deep cultural and social ties, both the US and Bermuda share a special relationship with the United Kingdom that has benefited all three lands (Chapters 7 and 8 on the US-Bermuda/UK alliance in the Second World War and the Cold War). Today's status quo between Bermuda and the UK may change in the future, and if it does, the United States will respect the clearly delineated will of Bermuda voters. In the mean time, the unique US-Bermuda-UK partnership is as important to all three as it ever has been.

Bermuda's current status within the United Kingdom: US and Bermuda leaders must continue to work in close partnership with representatives of Her Majesty's government to maximise the benefits accruing to all parties from this three-way partnership.

Going forward:

Who holds the key to better US-Bermuda relations? We can all learn from the lessons of the past, and the continued improvement in US/Bermuda relations is the responsibility of all of us, Americans and Bermudians together. Yet there are four groups who hold the key to successful US-Bermuda relations. Since the success of any group effort is always dependant on effective leadership, responsibility rests on the leaders of these groups:

¦ The US Consul General and her/his team at the US Mission to Bermuda (the US Consulate, US Customs and Border Protection and all other US government agencies working in Bermuda)

¦ The Premier of Bermuda and his/her Cabinet Ministers

¦ The Governor of Bermuda and his/her team at Government House

¦ Leaders of the local and international business community in Bermuda

Why does the US Consul General bear the primary responsibility for US-Bermuda relations?

Why not the Secretary of State, or the President, or someone else? To be frank, the US Consul General to Bermuda must be the catalyst to move the US-Bermuda partnership forward. The Secretary of State is too busy with more pressing global matters, which only goes 10-fold for the President. Even the Premier of Bermuda and his or her Cabinet have a wide range of issues and challenges they must confront on a daily basis, only a minority of which have to do directly with the US. Only the US Consul General can focus the majority of his/her time and energy on the improvement of US-Bermuda relations – and this he/she must do through all means possible. Over the past three years, the Consulate has instituted literally dozens of programmes, big and small, to strengthen the bonds between our countries. From dramatic improvements in our client service levels, to hosting the first 'principals-only' meetings between international business CEOs and Bermuda's Premier, to hosting the world's largest July 4 celebration outside the US, to sending congratulatory notes every day to Bermudians who have achieved something noteworthy – we try to do everything we can to convey the message: "America is a strong partner that cares about Bermuda."

Just as importantly, the Consul General sets the tone for the entire US Mission to Bermuda. By making it clear from the outset that excellent client service is a key success factor for all staff, the Consul General helps to ensure the large majority of the thousands of people who come to the Consulate each year for help have a positive experience—which for many will be their first ever "American" experience.

By actively helping Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to get the resources and services it needs to fulfil its strategic goals, the Consul General demonstrates that good inter-agency cooperation is a priority for everyone. In all cases, by prioritising excellent US-Bermuda relations in everything he/she does, the Consul General sets the direction for the entire US Mission to Bermuda. Furthermore, it is the Consul General who is uniquely positioned to develop positive, trust-based relationships with the wide-range of leaders who actually make Bermuda run. These women and men, of different political persuasions, backgrounds and interests, are the key people with whom the US mission works day in and day out on projects big and small. There's an old saying in diplomacy: "Make your friends before you need them." It is the US Consul General's responsibility to do just that.

Let's be clear about something: the US Consulate in Bermuda is very small. With only three American officers and a small team of locally engaged staff (LESs) it is critical the Consul General build an effective and efficient team. Without this, his/her time will be completely consumed by internal Consulate and State Department issues, leaving no time to work on the vital external issues that directly impact the US-Bermuda alliance.

For that very reason, having a strong Deputy at the Consulate is absolutely a key success factor, both for the Post and for the Consul General. I was fortunate in that I was able to have a hand in the selection of our Deputy Principal Officer back in 2006.

Matthew Johnson, a career foreign service officer with deep management experience, has proven to be an excellent Chief Operating Officer. We use the COO term deliberately, because that is precisely the role that Matt and I agreed he would take. His ability to focus on internal issues such as ensuring the quality and timely submission of the numerous reports that must be generated for Main State, overseeing finance and accounting procedures and sorting through the usual HR issues have all allowed me to focus on important external issues. To be sure, Matt has taken on one or two vital external issues (such as coordinating our emergency readiness preparations both internally and with all key Government of Bermuda ministries). But 80 percent of his time is devoted to ensuring the Consulate is running as efficiently and effectively as possible—freeing me up to spend most of my time focusing on external US-Bermuda issues.

However, in this age of 24/7 media, doing good is not enough. Pro-actively working with all types of local media is absolutely critical to reinforce America's interest in and concern for Bermuda. We try to take advantage of every positive media opportunity to reinforce our key message: "America is a strong partner that cares about Bermuda." Whether it is op-eds to The Royal Gazette on July 4, 9/11 or Thanksgiving, or TV news interviews on the hot topic of the day – it falls to the US Consul General to get America's message across in a humble, interesting and compelling way.

But by no means should the CG be doing this on her/his own. A strong press affairs office (PAO) is critical to this effort. The US Consulate had never had a PAO before – and it desperately needed a good one. Setting it up quickly, staffing it with one of our best people and devoting large amounts of my own time to helping the PAO get off to a strong start – all of this proved critical. Getting other US officers into the press mix is also very important. For example, our Senior Consul Margaret Pride now hosts a monthly radio programme on one of Bermuda's favourite radio stations called "Ask the Consulate." It has become one of the most popular call-in radio programmes in Bermuda, helping to further expand our communication platform with average Bermudians.

Net-net: It is incumbent upon the US Consul General to be the sparkplug of improving US-Bermuda relations. He/she alone has the time and ability to focus intensively on all of the key drivers of the relationship. He/she will have the widest range of key contacts in both the US and Bermuda to enable the partnership to move forward in critical areas. And he/she has the team – as long as they are well chosen and well managed – to help make this happen. After all, this is one of the Consul General's most important duties while he/she is here. It is one that he/she must take on with all the energy, wisdom and courage possible.

Why is the Premier of Bermuda key to improving US-Bermuda relations?

The Premier of Bermuda must be deeply involved in improving US-Bermuda relations because there is simply no more important partner for Bermuda than the United States. Good relations with the US are critical to Bermuda's economic health (both in terms of international business and tourism) as well as many other key areas (health care, education, etc). Thankfully, former Premier Alex Scott and current Premier Dr. Ewart Brown have been strong partners over the past three years in making excellent US-Bermuda relations a top priority. Fortunately, their Cabinet Ministers and PLP colleagues have proven to be strong partners as well.

I would like to publicly thank both Premier Scott and Premier Brown for their unflagging commitment to moving the US-Bermuda partnership forward. Their leadership for better US-Bermuda relations has made all the difference. Premier Brown's tenure has paralleled most of mine – and we have worked together very closely on a wide range of issues. For his partnership and leadership in furthering US-Bermuda relations, we are grateful. I'd also like to thank the Leaders of the Opposition party, the UBP, with whom we have worked over the past three-plus years. Dr. Grant Gibbons, Wayne Furbert, Michael Dunkley and Kim Swan have each put a positive priority on US-Bermuda relations—and for that, we are thankful. No matter what political party holds power in Bermuda in the future, the US is going to be the Island's predominate source of imports, tourists and financial capital for many years to come. As Roger Crombie observes in Chapter 10: "When America sneezes, Bermuda catches cold." Time spent by all of Bermuda's political leaders to improve and expand the US-Bermuda partnership will only benefit the people of Bermuda.

Why is the Governor of Bermuda key to improved US-Bermuda relations?

The United Kingdom's Governor to Bermuda is in a very special situation. As the official Head of State, he/she is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the advice of the British Prime Minister. According to Bermuda's 1968 Constitution, the Governor is responsible for external affairs, the defence of the Island, internal security and the police. Of course, all diplomatic treaties binding Bermuda must be approved by the UK. The Governor has many other important, yet semi-ceremonial, roles as well, including the calling of elections upon the Premier's request and the swearing in of a new government. Government House is still a cornerstone of Bermuda's political framework and the UK Governor plays a key role in Bermuda's public affairs and governance.

I have been honoured to work with two Governors during my tenure: Sir John Vereker and Sir Richard Gozney. Each was always a strong and dependable partner for better US-Bermuda relations. However, it must be noted the Governor has a very small direct staff – much smaller than that of the Consulate – and many responsibilities that do not touch on the United States in any way. So it falls to the Consul General to initiate and maintain a positive, rich dialogue with Government House, and not only with the Governor, but also with the Deputy Governor (usually handled by the Consulate's second in command).

What role do the leaders of the local and international business community have in improving US-Bermuda relations?

Local and international business leaders in Bermuda are vital to improved US-Bermuda relations because they, their employees, their supplies, their partners and their shareholders all stand to benefit directly. Each and every business leader in Bermuda is a natural ally in this effort, because all of them understand the health of their businesses depend, to a significant extent, on the strength of the US-Bermuda alliance. But CEOs and business leaders, like the Premier and Governor, are extremely busy. Enlisting their general support, and their active partnership in key projects, is the job of the Consul General. The good news is that most Bermudian business leaders have strong ties to the US, and the large majority understands the importance of strong US-Bermuda relations to businesses.

But CEOs and other senior business leaders cannot make this their first priority. They will join what they perceive to be a well-planned, industry-wide effort, as long as what is asked of them is sensible. Enlisting their general support and partnering with them strategically in key areas – that is the job of the Consul General.

Final thoughts

No one knows what the future holds for US-Bermuda relations. But we do know we share 400 years of mostly positive history, a strong set of cultural values, a common legal tradition, a vibrant economic interchange and the English language—all very important assets. Yet even within the past decade, US-Bermuda relations have ebbed and flowed, sometimes to lower levels than anyone thought possible. It is up to all of us, political, diplomatic, social and economic leaders, to do what we can to maintain and improve US-Bermuda relations. But the primary responsibility will fall directly on two individuals—and the teams that support them: the Premier of Bermuda and the United States Consul General to Bermuda. May they work together tirelessly, and with mutual understanding and empathy, to ensure our countries share a close and mutually beneficial partnership for the next 400 years as well.

The Honourable Gregory W. Slayton has been the US Consul General to Bermuda since 2005. He was recently honoured as one of the "Five Most Influential People in Bermuda" in a 2008 Royal Gazette ranking.