LENNON WILL BLAST U.S. FROM BEDSIDE IN BAHAMAS

WASHINGTON (CP) -- Beatle John Lennon is withdrawing his visa application and is not interested at this time in coming to the United States, U.S. officials say.

Lennon's decision relieves authorities of deciding whether to admit the member of the pop music group who was once convicted for possessing narcotics. The conviction ordinarily would bar his admission to the U.S.

Lennon's application to come on business was still "under consideration" Friday when word reached the state department that he has withdrawn it.

In London, it was learned that Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono are scheduled to fly to the Bahamas today, where they plan to make protest speeches against American authorities.

The couple plan to stage a lie-in for seven days in a hotel, and will make speeches which will be broadcast from their bedside to stateside, sources said.

Lennon was quoted as from their bedside to stateside, sources said.

Lennon was quoted as saying:

"I know I have a drugs conviction, but I know a lot of people who have been back to America since they were 'busted.'

"The Bahamas is the nearest we can get to America without a visa. We'll beam broadcasts from there, and hope they change their minds about us.