Government initiated three meetings with the US Consul General in the last two years, according to Denis Coleman.

On relations with the Bermuda Government he said he would rather focus on the many areas of common ground than the disagreements.

"My job was to represent the United States and put forward the President's policy and that's what I attempted to do. Sometimes people liked it and sometimes they disagreed. But they couldn't say they were not aware of the points of view of the United States. That was my job ? it's called communication," Mr. Coleman said in a telephone interview from Florida.

"And by and large it was a terrific experience. We had lots of things we found common ground in ? terrorism, approach to international crime, assistance in rescuing individuals who were shipwrecked or just having a Coast Guard plane flying overhead after Fabian. And of course there were disagreements ? everyone has disagreements and we had some. But I'm not going to let the disagreements overshadow all the positive experiences my wife and I enjoyed while we were in Bermuda so we look back with great fondness and appreciation."

But Mr. Coleman added that contact with the Government was "sporadic", when asked. Former Premier Jennifer Smith had initiated one meeting, while Premier Alex Scott had initiated two.

He said the meetings were "always cordial and very nice" and he acknowledged that he had not himself initiated any meetings. Asked whether he had expected more contact between his office and the Government he said he had no basis for any expectations since he had not had any experience as the top US diplomat on the Island.

"And you have to remember that I'm the guest in the country so I don't have a basis for expectation."

But he added: "You always wish that you could engage more. Sometimes it helps to relieve misunderstandings."

He would not comment on his last meeting with Premier Alex Scott ? to discuss his country's concern over links with Cuba ? saying meetings with the Government were confidential.

Eyebrows were raised when Mr. Coleman criticised Government over Cuba on the broadcast media.

Mr. Coleman said he was aware that some thought he was too direct and made no apologies.

"My job is to put forth the policy position of the United States ? in the forum that achieves the purpose. I don't think anyone in the Island is surprised. I certainly was not bashful in making points that I think were important... and sometimes part of the job is saying things people don't want to hear," he said.

"I did hear people were surprised by my directness, but as the Island wrestles with the potential of Independence there will be lots of opportunities for them to engage in a panoply of discussions with all sorts of different parties in the world."

Mr. Coleman, who last month resigned the position due to health reasons, said yesterday that he had had a "great" experience in Bermuda.

"Customarily, I would have stepped down this year because it's an election year and I elected to step down early because of my surgery and my wife's surgery," he said. "I think we are putting the surgeon's children through college."

Both he and his wife, Annabelle, had to undergo shoulder surgery requiring a long recovery period and intense therapy.

I thought it (Bermuda) was a wonderful experience from a macro point of view. From our first arrival on the Island ? it was a beautiful day... it was kind of mystical. And the people overall were just fabulous. So we had a great time and a great experience."