Premier Alex Scott yesterday committed to keeping communications open between his office and the US Consul General.

"I respect the responsibility of the Premier of Bermuda as being a very serious one," he said. "This means that, in future, whoever is in that office would be hearing from the Premier on a regular basis, so that there isn't, in the future, a deterioration of the relationship."

He said he had met with former US Consul General Denis Coleman, following his criticism of Bermuda's Cuba links.

Mr. Coleman was concerned that Bermuda was forging economic links with the Caribbean country following an announcement of flights between Cuba, Spain and Bermuda.

Mr. Scott said:"He very frankly and forcefully expressed his concern as he shared with the public."

Mr. Scott said he told Mr. Coleman he was sorry he had not taken up his invitation to come to see him over issues of concern, adding:"I expressed how ... the Government regarded the proposed flights as a private enterprise and if we .. started inserting ourselves into private ventures like that, we may not only annoy but we may begin to frustrate the marketplace by doing so. If it was his view that communications were not the best between the Government of Bermuda and the US, especially the Consul General's office and his office, then I accept responsibility for ensuring that never happens again."

Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons said Mr. Scott was more interested in Caribbean trips than communicating with the US Consul General which was more important to Bermuda's success.

"The message that I've got very clearly from the US Consul General was that the Progressive Labour Government over the last five to six years has not taken advantage of the diplomatic connections that they have in their own backyard literally ? on security and other issues as it relates to the US-Bermuda partnership and that Mr. Coleman had to make some very strong comments in the press because he did not feel he was getting Government's attention."