American Consul Mr. Bob Farmer entered the controversy over the US Base closure, hitting out at an editorial in The Royal Gazette that disputed US claims that the military had improved the lands.

"Some people have said that Bermuda is facing a loss of revenue,'' Mr. Farmer said. "I would say that it is gaining a first-class international Airport.

"We built that Airport after the war,'' he said. "I don't think that Bermuda would have probably been in a position to do it.

"It's the basis of tourism and international business, and it will continue to be.'' The US was "not leaving behind a cesspit, or an air catastrophe just waiting to occur''.

Mr. Farmer, a Democratic fundraiser and friend of US President Bill Clinton, said "some may be posturing for political reasons, or whatever, but we have tried to, and plan to continue to, have a true spirit of friendship and cooperation''.

He would not comment on who or what he saw as the source of political posturing.

The United States, which has occupied the Base lands rent-free while operating the Airport at no cost to Bermuda, has closed the Naval Annex in Southampton and is to pull out of the Naval Air Station by September 1.

Last week, the Bermuda Government laid down a Base closure negotiating position that was sharply at odds with that of the Americans.

Bermuda called for major environmental clean-up and completely rejected the $140-million price tag the Americans have placed on Base assets.

Government also called for the 99-year lease signed between the United Kingdom and US during the Second World War to be terminated. The Americans want it modified.

Last week, a Gazette editorial said the Bases were being closed because it was politically unacceptable for the Americans to keep Bases abroad while they were closing others at home.

It said the lease must be terminated so Bermuda is "free to make its own decisions'' about the future of the lands.

"Many Bermudians do not see what was done at the Bases as an improvement at all,'' the editorial continued. "They also know that construction was for military purposes and much of it is of no real value or application to Bermuda's civilian usage.'' Mr. Farmer denied that domestic policies had any bearing on the Bermuda Base closures. "They've been considering it for several years based on the political realities,'' he said. "We've revised our threat assessment and fiscal responsibility.'' While some military buildings would serve no civilian purpose, "any sober and balanced assessment of the capital improvements must at a minimum recognise the Airport and its supporting infrastructure as enduring assets''.

He also mentioned two schools, affordable housing, a technical training centre, and a library.

Bermuda had asked for clarification of what continuing the lease would mean, and the Americans said it would give Bermuda "clear title for unhindered use'', Mr. Farmer said.

As it leaves the Base, the US wants to "do well by a historically supportive ally,'' he said.

"Real work at real costs,'' was being done at the Bases, Mr. Farmer said. On the environment, "my understanding is that the Naval Air Station, when it gets back in Bermuda hands, will be significantly better than other industrial sites on the Island.

"This was not a heavy-duty Base where we had radioactive materials,'' he said. "It's my understanding that it will be up to snuff.'' Mr. Farmer said that NAS Bermuda Commanding Officer Capt. Tim Bryan headed the American negotiating team and his political officer Mr. Stephen Kish represented the Consulate at the talks.

"I may attend these meetings in the future, just so that the institutional memory of this is not lost,'' he said.