the Hon. Sir John Swan suggested yesterday.

The Premier said he would make an announcement "in due course'' on whether the Progressive Labour Party could participate in talks on the future of the US Naval Air Station.

But he left little doubt in what direction he was leaning. "I recognise that the PLP has one objective -- to replace the United Bermuda Party Government,'' Sir John told The Royal Gazette .

Under the Westminster style of Government that Bermuda had, it was very difficult for the Government and Opposition to work together for a common purpose. "The only time it's ever worked is during a period of war,'' he said.

"It seems patently clear that the public elected the Government to run their affairs,'' on October 5, but Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade wanted "another bite on the cherry,'' Sir John said.

"The reality is that every utterance by Mr. Wade has undermined the very bipartisan strategy he has sought to promote,'' Sir John said in a news release. "Against that background, Mr. Wade can hardly be surprised that neither the Government nor the public at large takes him very seriously.'' In The Royal Gazette yesterday, Mr. Wade was quoted as saying that the Premier's international visits leading up to recent Base closure announcements were a "disaster''.

Sir John said that comment was sarcastic and showed "an obvious excess of enthusiasm.

"One can only surmise that the defeat of the Opposition at last October's general election has adversely affected Mr. Wade's judgment.

"Had I not undertaken those overseas visits to try to minimise the impact of the impending Base closures, I would have been accused by Mr. Wade of callous disregard for the interests of the people of Bermuda.

"The responsible course of action in those circumstances was to do precisely what I did.'' Sir John said he first tried to delay the closure of the Bases. Where that was not possible, he wanted to "work out a transfer arrangement which would be in Bermuda's best interests''.

The Americans are to withdraw from the US Naval Air Station by September of 1995.

Mr. Wade has said the PLP received nearly 47 percent of the popular vote in the recent general election and should play a major role in any Base talks.

Sir John said partisanship was already confusing the issues. "In terms of the basic philosophy of the approach, it might be made difficult to work together in a truly bipartisan fashion.''