delicate US Base talks for the sake of politcial points.

That was the claim yesterday of senior United Bermuda Party member the Hon.

Quinton Edness, Minister of Health Social Services and Housing.

Rather than leaving the critical talks to Government to ensure the best result for Bermuda, Progressive Labour Party leader Mr. Frederick Wade was "blundering the issue out of the realm of diplomacy and into the glare of public debate'', Mr. Edness said.

He called on the PLP to immediately abandon its "reckless course of action'', saying it lacked credibility on the issue in any event.

Mr. Edness further claimed Mr. Wade's visit with the Black Caucus of Congress in Washington DC this weekend could cause political "elements'' in America to view the base issue as one of race.

Mr. Wade, who returned yesterday, had said he planned on discussing the future of the US base during the trip.

Despite repeated calls, neither Mr. Wade nor Southampton West candidate Mr.

Terry Lister, who accompanied him, could be reached for comment. The third member of the PLP delegation, Miss Jennifer Smith, was still abroad.

Mr. Edness said: "Mr. Wade has, despite his earlier statements, regrettably made this very serious negotiation into an election issue.

"Mr. Wade fails to realise that the stated position and longtime plank of the PLP to charge the US rent for the bases makes him and his party lacking in credibility to negotiate this issue.

"And, further, by drawing in the Black Caucus, the issue has the potential to be perceived as one of race. All of which, in US politics, have very real and distinct implications.

Mr. Wade was "tampering'' and making the issue a divisive, political one.

"In doing so,'' Mr. Edness said, "he runs the risk of jeopardising Bermuda's future prosperity.'' "As the elected Government, we have well established contacts and good access to decision makers in each area where they are needed. The Premier is the elected representative of our Government, and has had tremendous experience in diplomacy. To sabotage his efforts for political points is irresponsible at best.

"I call on Mr. Wade, or whoever is advising him, to abandon this reckless course of action.'' The Premier and his Delegated Affairs Minister the Hon.

Sir John Sharpe had also expressed concerns over Mr. Wade's trip, saying it was sending America mixed signals.

It was a "desperate'' political game to steal credit for the Premier's diplomatic efforts to prolong the US Base's uncertain presence here, Sir John said.

After a brief meeting last Tuesday with House Arms Services Committee chairman Mr. Ron Dellums, Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan was able to get him to withdraw a Defence Bill that would have cut funding for the US Naval Air Station within 90 days of passage. The US NAS runs Bermuda's Airport and weather forecasting station.

But Mr. Wade, ridiculing the meeting as "two or three words and a handshake'', claimed the PLP should get credit for the concession because it had put the issue to Mr. Dellums before the UBP.

Mr. Wade last Wednesday released a statement from Maryland Congressman Mr.

Albert Wynn which said Mr. Wynn had spoken to Mr. Dellums about the base on behalf of the PLP before the Premier even left for his Tuesday meeting. Mr.

Dellums had assured he would try and resolve the issue in Bermuda's favour.

Mr. Wade has not said why he did not announce the news before the Premier returned from Washington DC last Wednesday with his news.

"Although the Premier's trip was ridiculed by Mr. Wade, this effort of international diplomacy at the highest executive levels firmly placed the Premier in the middle of a quiet coalition which continues to work in the best interests of Bermuda.''