closure negotiations.

Government was playing catch-up from the start on the possibility that the United States would withdraw from its bases, an Opposition MP has claimed.

As soon as Sam Donaldson had described the base as a Club Med for the navy on PrimeTime, the Government should have responded, Shadow Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Mr. Alex Scott (PLP) claimed in the House of Assembly on Friday.

"The Government response was to wait until the Americans let us know, so we were behind the eight ball already. Government still thinks in terms of the best interests of the United States rather than the best interests of Bermuda.

"I feel that Dr. Saul was so preoccupied with debating against the Opposition that he began negotiating for the US,'' he said.

Mr. Scott was speaking during debate on motions on the management of the negotiations for the Bases.

Mr. Scott said Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade had taken a risk in asking to be involved in the negotiations, but the Premier had poured cold water on the idea.

"Mr. Wade said we should take an inventory of the bases, but Dr. Saul was saying we owe so much to them,'' he said. "The US have benefited from their time here. We had rents but they had a post in the mid-Atlantic and they had their NASA monitoring here. Let them know that we have something of value here.

"Who is the Premier going to argue for? Is there a hidden agenda? He walks like a duck, looks like a duck, but I am waiting for him to quack.

Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. Jim Woolridge began his speech with a quote. He said: "There is nothing more disturbing than an ungrateful child.'' He spoke of how he had worked on the base for five years and left there able to afford a home, adding that many other Bermudians had benefited from the Base.

"Bermuda was a farming and fishing community with a little tourism in the summers before the Base came. The Base turned us into a year-round resort,'' he said.

"It also helped us to become the envy of the international business and reinsurance world. But the Base has not cost Bermuda and the tax-payers a penny.'' Mr. Woolridge ended by stating: "God bless America and thank them for all that they have done.'' Shadow Minister of Delegated and Legislative Affairs Mrs. Lois Browne Evans described the Tourism Minister's speech as "an hysterical outburst''.

Opposition House Leader Mr. Reginald Burrows gave the House a history lesson on the arrival of the American forces in Southampton.

Mr. Burrows expressed concerns over the fact that plans were not underway to use the buildings on the US Base immediately after the Americans leave.

Buildings at Dockyard rapidly deteriorated after the Royal Navy left and buildings at the US Annex were already showing signs of deterioration after two years.

He said: "The closure of the Base in Bermuda was inevitable especially when one realises the numbers which have closed in the United States over the past few years.'' Mr. Richard Spurling (UBP) discussed the pros and cons of the closure to start his speech, but his main concerns were environmental.

Mr. Spurling was particularly hopeful that Ruth's Bay will be reclaimed from its present condition as the air base's dump. He said: "According to legend this was one of the Island's most beautiful bays.

"The US should consider restoring Ruth's Bay, that would be an excellent parting gesture to Bermuda.'' Mr. Spurling suggested the Base could be used as a university with backing from companies or wealthy individuals.

Replying to Opposition calls to be involved in the negotiations with the Americans, Mr. Spurling said: "The Government should negotiate. To have a member of the Opposition would see more political point scoring than negotiating with the US.'' Representing St. David's, Mr. Spurling expressed a hope that houses bought from local people should be offered back to the same families.

Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen believed Mr. Spurling had given the impression that the Government could not work without help from overseas.

Mr. Allen said: "It is a psychology that we are dependent on other countries and we cannot go alone. We have to get foreign experts in to tell Bermudians how to do jobs they already know how to do.

"It is a crisis attitude to the closing of the bases that has been created by the UBP.'' Mr. Allen said the newly built NATO hangar could be used as a convention centre and a venue for trade shows and concerts.

He called for an all-party approach to the base negotiations. He said: "The PLP extended a hand. The Government has slapped that hand. I trust we are not going to go cap-in-hand to the Americans.'' Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira estimated a loss of $100 million from the closure of the Island's four bases.

But he said the Bermudians were fortunate to have a Government which had "management ability''.

"We have benefited from the millions and millions of dollars they have given this Country but the Opposition wanted to put the Americans up against the wall and charge them rent,'' he said.

"It is like the expression do not look a gifthorse in the mouth. The Opposition wants to kick the gifthorse in the mouth.'' Shadow Minister of Youth and Sport Dr. Ewart Brown was not surprised Government did not want Opposition members as part of the negotiating team.

But he did not feel comfortable with the Government as negotiators for the whole of Bermuda.

Dr. Brown said: "I do not have the confidence that the Government can distinguish between gratitude and grovelling. Bermudians need to carry out discussion man-to-man, not man-to-boy.

"The United States has a sharp eye and can detect the absence of a backbone.

All you hear from our Government negotiators is the US position.'' He called for the Base to be used to encourage a redistribution of wealth to more people in the country and not simply to make the rich get richer.

Minister of Human Affairs and Information the Hon. Jerome Dill claimed Dr.

Brown's statement about "lack of backbone'' encapsulated why the PLP had not been invited on the negotiating team.

A barrage of heckling from the Opposition made it tough for Mr. Dill to make his speech. PLP members said they were hitting back for his earlier "rude behaviour''.

Mr. Dill continued: "The PLP could not possibly be involved in negotiations.

In the art of negotiation one thing is of paramount importance that is that we speak with one voice.

"Can you imagine the chaos if the PLP were involved and we gave the Americans the impression that we are divided.'' Mr. Dill said PLP input should be made in the House of Assembly and passed on to the negotiators. He said the Opposition had a major part to play.

But he added: "The Government is called upon to govern and not to pander to the loyal and perennial Opposition.'' The House was again treated to a history lesson, this time from Mr. Stanley Morton (PLP). But Mr. Morton was annoyed with the Premier who he described as "like a little boy saying I am taking my marbles home''.

Mr. Morton accused the UBP of having an "I'm all right Jack'' attitude.

He said the ruling party could only be trusted to looked after its own interests, not those of Bermudians.

The Opposition was willing and able to work with Government in Base negotiations for the benefit of all Bermuda.

Mr. Morton said many Bermudians did not trust the Government. There was a feeling Government was on the edge, desperate, and capable of anything to pull back from the brink.

Mr. Morton said Bermuda had to look out for itself, and act in its best interests.

Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess said negotiations were the responsibilities of three governments -- those in America, Britain and Bermuda.

He urged the Opposition to participate where it could -- such as in the committee looking at how to make good use of the Base lands.

"We are bound to be better off working together.'' Mr. Burgess, drawing on a sporting metaphor, told the opposite bench: "If you are true national players you will come on board when the coach calls you.'' And he jibed: "When the medals go out even the reserves get one.'' Mr. Walter Lister (PLP) believed Government did not appreciate the seriousness of the issue facing Bermuda.

He said the Premier needed the Opposition behind him in the negotiations to prevent him from fumbling.

The PLP also represented 46.5 percent of Bermudians, according to the October election.

The UBP represented less than 50 percent.

With the economy shrinking because of the closures, it was important for Bermuda to go the extra mile in tackling the problems.

Mr. Lister said many businesses in the west end were concerned about the closure plans.

He went on to praise his leader, Mr. Wade, for the speech he made earlier.

It was an excellent demonstration of Mr. Wade's legal skills.

Mrs. Grace Bell (UBP) told of the hardship suffered by St. David's residents when the US Base agreement was set up in the 1940s.

And she read out an extract of a letter from a St. David's resident to The Royal Gazette in 1941.

The resident told of the massive disruption to his life as the US military moved in.

History would record the enormous role St. David's Islanders played -- and their sacrifice -- for world peace, said Mrs. Bell.

It was important more than 50 years later St. David's would reap any rewards from the Base closure.

Because St. David's had made the supreme sacrifice, Bermuda had become one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

Shadow Education Minister Ms Jennifer Smith criticised Government for the delay in naming people to the Base committees.

She stressed the return of Base lands would have a big impact throughout the Island.

And it was important Government looked at the overall picture.

Ms Smith said she had read that the Bank of Butterfield had already compiled a list of ideas for the future of the lands.

"I feel they are moving quicker than Government.'' Ms Smith said Government could not have it both ways.

On the one hand it called for a united approach, but on the other it argued: "We only want you when we call you.'' It was only natural the PLP should want to be represented on the committees, she added.

Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon attacked the PLP's track record in joining with Government on issues.

Over the last 25 years the Opposition had refused to join Government boards.

And there had never been a majority joint select committee report, she said.

She added the utilisation committee was open to suggestions from Bermudians, and the Opposition.

"We welcome the assistance of the Opposition,'' she said.

But she said Government was the Government, and had been handed a mandate to govern.

It would, therefore, be reckless for Government to abrogate that responsibility.

She added there was too much "partisanship'' in Bermudian politics for both parties to go to the negotiating table with one voice.

Shadow Environment Minister the Rev. Trevor Woolridge accused Ms GOrdon and Mr. Dill of displaying "immaturity'' through their speeches.

Continuing a sporting metaphor, he said it was normal for a team to have a practice session before going out on the field.

That would enable the team to play as one.

In the same way, the PLP and Government could get their heads together before entering negotiations, and speak with a common voice.

He added there had been occasions when Government had needed to be bailed out by the Opposition.

Mr. Woolridge said Government did not appear to understand what it meant "not to belong''.

He continued by decrying the fact Bermuda could not negotiate on its own behalf, without seeking permission from Britain.

And he drew parallels with the recent row in Warwick in which an American coach had been hired to train Bermudian majorettes for their command performance in front of the Queen.

Bermudian majorettes did not want somebody else to do what they could do.

Mr. Woolridge said the PLP had a wealth of talent to offer Government and help Base negotiations.

"There is a tremendous amount of skill and talent right here.'' He accused Government of taking Bermuda "for a ride''.

Shadow Community Affairs Minister Mr. Jimmy Williams took a swipe at Mrs.

Grace Bell and Mr. Richard Spurling for "parish pumping'' during their speeches.

In particular, he said Mr. Spurling did not have a tone of honesty.

It was important for MPs to think about the repercussions of Base closures beyond their own constituencies.

Government Whip Mr. John Barritt accepted there was a certain appeal in the Opposition's arguments for joining the Base negotiating team.

But Bermudians listening to the debate would wonder whether both sides could work together.

"One can't take one's differences to the negotiating table,'' he said.

Mr. Barritt said Government had been given a mandate to govern by the electorate.

And he asked whether people would want Mr. David Allen -- given the tone of his speech -- to sit down at the negotiating table.

Deputy Premier the Hon. Irving Pearman said Mr. Wade had been aware of the course of the debate.

He had written to the Premier recently, and the pair met on the Bases issue.

Allowing the PLP to join the negotiating team had been under review but Sir John believed it would be inappropriate.

Mr. Pearman, however, added:"No one is ruled out of participation.'' This provoked cries from the Opposition.

Mr. Pearman continued by saying Government would be negotiating with the US Navy.

And he pointed out Bermuda would shortly be named in round 14 of the US Base closures.

Once that announcement was made, formal discussions could begin.

Mr. Pearman went on to tackle claims by some Opposition MPs that they did not trust the Government.

There should be more trust among MPs, he said.

"The House of Assembly should rededicate itself to trust.'' And he urged all Bermudians: "Have trust in the process.'' Mr. Pearman said the Base closures presented Bermuda with a golden opportunity.

And Government, determined to carry out its responsibility, would reach out to all Bermudians for assistance.

Mr. Pearman added that the committee he was heading was also charged with looking into the future of Daniel's Head.

He said: "We will be looking at the whole picture. Things we could have put at Daniel's Head may be better suited elsewhere.'' Concluding, Mr. Wade said he felt it had given Bermudians some idea of the matters that will be raised over the base closure.

He said the PLP had been ready to offer its services for some time and he had had confidential discussions with the Premier and Deputy Premier. But he said the matter had been brought out into the open in the House on Friday.

He said: "When the Government cannot be trusted to keep confidentiality you should not be surprised when our members say they do not trust Government.

"And for Government to say that we would go to negotiations with our own agenda is nonsense. We would abide by a plan of action.

"In terms of the Base closure both parties want the same end result. For us it is a 30 year dream and we do not want it to become a nightmare.'' Mr. Wade said he would continue to discuss the matter with the UK Government.

He praised the work of the original committee under the late Sir John Cox which prevented a US base being sited in Hamilton and he hoped that the same resolve would be shown by Government negotiators with the Americans.

The Government amendment was passed.