American Base in Bermuda, the Premier said yesterday.

"We are the elected Government,'' the Hon. Sir John Swan said at a news conference at United Bermuda Party headquarters. "I thought that it was a nonpartisan approach that needed to be had.'' Now, it seemed, "politics is entering into it.'' Progressive Labour Party Leader Mr. Frederick Wade announced on Tuesday he would lead a delegation to Washington to discuss the future of the US Base at St.

David's.

The news came just as Sir John was about to return from meetings with military and political leaders in the US capital.

Sir John also met regarding the Bases recently with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Secretary General Dr. Manfred Woerner in Brussels, British Prime Minister Mr. John Major in London, and US President Mr. Bill Clinton in Washington DC.

Questioned about the PLP trip as he unveiled the UBP's election platform, Sir John said he found it "rather strange.'' When he met with Washington leaders, he "spelt out our case'' in the context of earlier meetings with NATO and Great Britain, Sir John said. "I don't want Washington to get mixed signals.'' Mr. Wade and other PLP members had every right to attend a conference of the Black Caucus of Congress. He said he too was invited, but could not attend.

However, Washington was made up "of a cross-section of people,'' Sir John said. "We have very good contacts.'' On Tuesday's trip to Washington, "we used them and produced results,'' he said.

A clause that would have cut funding for the US Naval Air Station in 90 days was removed from a piece of pending legislation, he said.

Mr. Wade said yesterday he should share the credit for that decision, and he produced a news release from Maryland Congressman Mr. Albert Wynn to back his claim.

In the news release, Mr. Wynn said he spoke to House Armed Services Committee chairman Mr. Ron Dellumns at Mr. Wade's request, and Mr. Dellumns "assured him that he would use all of his influence to resolve the situation in a manner favourable to Bermudians.'' Mr. Wade said the PLP "reached Congressman Dellumns before the Premier even left Bermuda and it was our clear representation which turned the tables.'' Sir John had made the base an election issue and it was "arrant nonsense'' for him to say he was being nonpartisan, Mr. Wade said.

Sir John said Government's approach had acheived results and he felt better results could now be achieved than many people had anticipated. The US Base and Civil Air Terminal was "a lifeline to our future,'' he said.

Mr. Wade said that he, Shadow Education Minister Ms Jennifer Smith, Southampton West candidate Mr. Terry Lister, and possibly one other PLP member would leave tonight for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Weekend, regardless of whether Sir John called an election today.

"I'm only planning on staying a day, or two at the most,'' he said. The annual weekend hosted by the 40-member Black Caucus brings about 25,000 people to Washington for workshops and political and social events, said Mr. Brian Morton, press secretary to Maryland Congressman and Black Caucus chairman Mr.

Kwesi Mumfe.

US President Mr. Bill Clinton would address the dinner at the Washington Convention Centre on Saturday night.