challenges brought on by the closure of military bases.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan confirmed a plan for the hiring of at least one full-time coordinator "to keep it all together''.

And yesterday Government sources indicated plans could lead to the establishment of a special secretariat to administer base closure work.

"There is a need for an independent, small organisation which focuses purely on the closures and related issues,'' one source said.

Staff for the secretariat, the source added, would probably come at a high price.

Premier Swan has not yet made appointments to the five committees that will shoulder much of the work. However, it is understood he has definite ideas who the committee chairmen will be.

And since his November announcement of plans to set up a committee system for base issues, the Cabinet Office has been flooded with volunteer applications.

Yesterday, one staffer said there were dozens of letters from people volunteering their time and skills.

Government has yet to receive notification it can begin negotiations with the US despite President Clinton's early December signing of the 1994 Defence Bill requiring US withdrawal from Bermuda by September, 1995.

Premier Swan has written to Governor Lord Waddington asking to see if he can speed up the protocol process.

"Right now we're in no position to enter into any arrangements and we're in no position to enter into any negotiations,'' the Premier said. "There is nothing I can do about it.'' For negotiations to begin, the US Government through its State Department must first notify the UK Government it is closing down US bases in Bermuda. The UK Government, which controls Bermuda's external relations, then informs Bermuda.

The key for Bermuda in that communication is formal UK consent to negotiate the base closures directly with the Americans.

"The Americans will not do anything until we get authorisation from the United Kingdom,'' Sir John said. "We need the authorisation and the US needs to be informed we're in a position to enter into negotiations.'' Deputy Governor Mr. John Kelly said he expected the notification process would reach Bermuda in the near future.

Mr. Kelly said that soon after the Americans notify the British Government "the Bermuda Government will be informed. And in that notification I expect it will receive authorisation to begin negotiations with the US.'' Sir John said if the process left too little time for negotiations he would ask for more time.

One US source said it was possible the US Government might hold off notifying the British until after March 1, the date the Pentagon is required to submit a closure plan to Congress.

The source said it was very possible the closure deadline could be put back a year if negotiations are ongoing yet not complete by the September, 1995, deadline.

Government's plan for the base closure challenge involves the creation of five committees. They include: A central committee to manage negotiations with the Americans and coordinate all other committees; A facilities committee to look at all the existing areas to be returned including land, buildings, water supply, plumbing, sewage, environmental issues; An air operations committee to plan the takeover of airport operations; A legal committee to review the US-UK (Bermuda) Bases Agreement and related legislation; and A utilisation committee to draw up a master plan to match Bermuda's needs with the facilities becoming available to it.