Island interests now threatened by possible US military withdrawal.

In discussions with British Prime Minister John Major, and his Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd, Premier Swan will emphasise the importance of minimising the impact of a possible wind down or closure of the US Naval Air Station.

In an interview yesterday, Sir John said it was vital to impress on the British what was at stake for the Island.

"This effort is in our best interests, '' he told the Royal Gazette . "If we are not seen to be looking out for our interests, then why should the UK.'' "We are putting this issue on the front burner to show that it is very important to us.

The Premier said it was critical that cases be prepared to emphasise Bermuda's value, not only to the US-UK relationship but to their European partners as well.

He said he also wants to underline the Island's vital interests particularly those centred on the Civil Air Terminal, now largely run by the US Navy.

The Premier said his aim was to get the diplomatic wheels in motion to prevent the US Government from considering the Island as "a convenient place to close (a base) down.'' One source yesterday described the Premier's mission as this: "He is going to say, `We in Bermuda have an interest (in what happens to the Base). These are our interests and these are our concerns. When the time comes, we want you to bear them in mind'.'' In working sessions with Mr. Mark Lennox-Boyd, the UK minister directly responsible for Bermuda, the Premier plans to discuss roles for the Island beyond its current value as a location for the US Base.

Discussions will focus on Bermuda's use as a NATO base, and its value as a international search and rescue centre.

Despite the Premier's efforts to keep talks focussed on the Base issue, it has become clear the British Government will want to discuss other things.

Efforts by gay rights activists, and Britain's position on the issue, almost ensure that the Premier will be asked about Bermuda's law prohibiting homosexual acts between consenting adults.

The British Government has already asked Bermuda to bring its legislation into line with the European convention on human rights.

Yesterday the Bermuda Human Rights Alliance, in a letter to the Prime Minister, asked him to remind Sir John "of his Government's obligations under the European Human Rights Convention'' and to urge him to move to repeal anti-gay sex laws.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd, who will be with Sir John before and after his meeting with Mr. Major tomorrow, is on record as saying: "The Bermuda Government is in no doubt about our wishes (on its laws concerning homosexuality).

"We are keeping the matter under review and will remind the Bermuda Government of our views whenever the opportunity arises.'' The Portuguese-Bermudian Organisation is also angling for a place in the talks. Yesterday its chairman Mrs. Anna Faries sent a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to raise the issue of the rights of long-term non-Bermudian residents of Bermuda.

The organisation has been fighting for more compassionate consideration of residents, many of whom have been sent home during the Island's economic recession.

It is also understood the British Government will ask the Premier about Bermuda's retention of capital punishment. Last year it abolished the death penalty in all of its Caribbean dependent territories, in some cases against string local opposition.

Bermuda was spared that change because the death penalty is enshrined in its 1968 Constitution, meaning it can only be changed by Bermuda's Parliament.