New Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson has laid down the law on the clean-up of the mess left at the former US naval bases.

Only in his job a few days, the Minister sent a stern message to both the UK and US when it came to taking responsibility for the pollution left behind when the armed forces left.

Both the former US Naval Annex in Southampton, now known as Morgan's Point, and the former Baselands at St. George's, now Southside, are affected by residue oil, asbestos and other debris left by the US.

Before the election, talks had taken place between former Premier Pamela Gordon and Finance Minister Grant Gibbons and US Secretary for Defence William Cohen.

A decision is expected next year on what assistance, if any, will be given.

In addition, the UK Government has been fully supportive of the bid and had offered help to Bermuda.

But Mr. Hodgson said it was clear where the buck had to stop.

"The UK has certain responsibilities. They gave the US the right to come in here -- it is the principle,'' he said.

"If the UK refuses to take her responsibility, we will have to find a way to force her to take responsibility. How to do that I don't know, but it is not a question about whose duty it is.

"I would have thought the cost to those countries of cleaning up a little country like Bermuda shouldn't be a problem. It would be terribly mean-spirited of them to try to hammer a little colony.'' Mr. Hodgson said talks would have to continue with the US in order to settle the issue.

"They have come to another country, used the land, abused it and then walked away -- they have to fix it.'' It was recently revealed that up to 500,000 gallons of oil may lie underneath Morgan's Point, from underground storage tanks, which could add to the estimated $55 million clean-up costs.

Buildings at Southside contain asbestos, which is being slowly and expensively removed, and there are scrap vehicles lying idle. There is also the problem of heavy metals.

A decision from America is expected early next year when the US Government begins to form its new budget.

MILITARY MIL