uncertainty and problem solving over base closures. Finding solutions to the cash lost from Bermuda's economy by the closures and finding answers for productive use of Base lands is going to take both experience and knowledge of how the national economy works.

It may be that Bermuda will decide that some of the Base land can be let to international bodies or international companies which will produce foreign exchange for Bermuda. It may be that careful and clever use of the land could allow Bermuda to diversify into a third economic sector to add to tourism and international companies. We think that attracting that kind of sophisticated business will take caution and knowledge. International organisations are notoriously fickle and these days they have a wide choice of locations where they would be welcome. Political controversy over base closures which gives the impression of uncertainty would, we think, scare away potential clients from Bermuda.

Government already has a committee looking into future use of some of the base land, notably the area now occupied by Canada at Daniel's Head in Sandys Parish. That committee is chaired by former Government Senate leader Charles Collis who is known for both brain power and organisational skills. If need be, that committee can be extended to look at land now held by the United States.

Good decisions and correct use of base land, no matter how much Bermuda eventually gets back, are vital to the future of Bermuda. This is a magnificent chance to add to Bermuda's assets, save space for future use and provide entertainment and recreation for Bermudians and visitors.

However it is difficult to consider the matter quietly and cautiously if the Progressive Labour Party keeps making a great deal of destructive noise. The PLP has a history of suggesting that the bases, especially Kindley Field, should be returned to Bermuda. Up until two years ago, it was a plank in the PLP's platform to tax the Americans for use of the Base.

Generally the PLP has shown no real understanding of the importance of the Base to Bermuda. It chose to ignore the financial hardships inherent in base closures, hardships which are very real for Bermuda. Now that base lands may come back to Bermuda, the PLP wants to suggest that Government is not prepared for the return of the land. The fact is that no-one expected the end of the Cold War and the rapid collapse of the Soviet Union.

The PLP was not prepared either. They had no idea the base might close. They wanted to tax the base because they thought it was important to America and thus America would pay to keep it. If the PLP had been in office and taxed the base, it might well be long gone by now.

There is also a question of diplomacy and continued good relations with the United States. The PLP's idea of friendly relations with the United States was apparently to renege on an agreement we were bound to honour under the 99-year bases lease. Even Fidel Castro left the US Guantanamo base in Cuba alone.

It seems to us the PLP plan would have resulted in an unbelievable mess and the party had no idea of the advantages of good relations with the giant neighbour to our west. We have a chance to work out any base closure calmly and without rancour with the United States which is so vital to Bermuda's continued prosperity and safety.

Thankfully we have more experienced and sane heads dealing with a major problem over which, like the recession, we had little control. But then the PLP's adherents felt that Sir John Swan caused the recession. We know he did not cause base closures.