Premier Pamela Gordon almost lost out on a national TV spot in the US in favour of House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich.

The Georgia Republican's shock speech to Congress that he would stump up a $300,000 fine for ethics violations could have knocked the Premier out of her spot on Atlanta-based Cable News Network.

But the Georgia Republican's speech to the House was made around 11 a.m.

Bermuda time -- leaving the way clear for Ms Gordon's 10.30 a.m. interview.

And the Premier pushed the old Base lands as a business and tourism location, as well as promising to secure the environment for future generations.

She admitted that the pull-out of the US Navy and Canadian armed forces had cost Bermuda around $50 million a year.

But she said: "It creates an opportunity for Bermuda so we have a perfect opportunity for new business and this is our time to open up Bermuda a bit more, create opportunities for persons in small businesses and corporations as well as inducing larger business to come to Bermuda because we can be a jurisdiction of choice.'' CNN Morning News anchorman Leon Harris questioned the Premier on her role as Bermuda's first woman leader in a male-dominated Island.

Ms Gordon said it was not as important an issue as many seemed to think.

She said: "We had some challenges which were basically something we needed to look at as a community. I think Bermuda was ready for a woman Premier.'' She added: "What the people really want to know is that there is some degree of continuity -- that there won't be any significant changes which will affect their way of life.'' But she said: "You learn how to do things the way the men do it -- but you put a feminine touch to it. You just smooth over it a little bit.'' The seven minute interview was broadcast live to more than 300,000 CNN viewers. It is estimated the equivalent advertising time would rack up at $100,000 a minute.

Ms Gordon is in Atlanta as part of the Bermuda delegation to the RIMS insurance conference.

The interview was arranged as part of an overseas marketing programme orchestrated by the Bermuda International Business Association.

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