they are turned over to Bermuda on September 1.

And a large security force has been assembled to keep out intruders, Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons said yesterday.

Dr. Gibbons appeared at a news conference with Deputy Police Commissioner Michael Mylod to spell out Naval Air Station security arrangements, which will cost just over $1 million a year.

Once the 578 acres needed for the Airport are fenced off, 464 acres with roads, sewage and electrical systems, and more than 260 major buildings including a post office, shopping centre, and medical centre will be left over, Dr. Gibbons said. "We will in effect be taking possession of a ghost town.'' The empty buildings and systems had to be protected until they could be used by Government or developers, he said.

Citing a recent rash of break-ins and vandalism, "a security problem has already developed,'' he said.

"These activities, if they are not checked, represent significant threats to public order and safety,'' Dr. Gibbons said. "They also threaten to undermine the Government's ultimate goal of successfully reintegrating these lands into the mainstream of Island life and using them for the benefit of all Bermudians.'' The closure would be temporary, and the lands would be opened to the public in phases, he said. For instance, it was hoped Clearwater Beach would open to the public next spring.

Government did not want a repeat of what happened to the Royal Navy Dockyard, he said. After it closed in 1951, Dockyard was hurt by vandalism and theft.

Mr. Mylod said 28 civilians were being hired and trained to provide round-the-clock Base security under Police supervision. Until civilians were ready to start work on October 1, the Base fence would be patrolled by regular Police and reserves, he said.

Twelve officers who had been providing security at the Airport would be used, and Police were not being taken off the street to patrol the Base, he said.

The only part of the St. David's Base that would not be off limits was the six-acre sports park with two baseball diamonds and playing fields. It would open to the public on September 1, under control of the Ministry of Youth and Sport.

The US Naval Annex and US Naval Facility (Tudor Hill) in Southampton would also remain closed as of September 1, likely patrolled by private security in cooperation with the Police, Dr. Gibbons said.

The Ministry of Works & Engineering had been allocated $500,000 to pay for security at those properties until the end of March, when Government's fiscal year ends.

Airport security will be handled by Island Wide Security, under a separate contract.