Moniz his Environment Minister as part of his efforts to get more caucus members who opposed Independence to join Cabinet.

But the offer was withdrawn when Mr. Moniz set conditions, including a demand that the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge be kept on as Tourism Minister, Dr. Saul told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

While Mr. Moniz denied setting that condition, Dr. Saul and Mr. Moniz also confirmed that the idea of the Smith's South MP as Finance Minister was raised during weekend discussions. Both said it was a non-starter.

"He expressed an interest in Finance,'' said Dr. Saul, who United Bermuda Party MPs chose to succeed Sir John Swan in a 14-7 secret ballot vote last Friday. "I just said `no' to that.'' "It's no secret to anyone what areas I'm interested in,'' Mr. Moniz said.

"I've always been interested in Finance, Health and Social Services, the Environment, and Labour and Home Affairs.

"I may have said those are my areas of discussion. At no point in time did I ever say to him: `I want Finance.'' Dr. Saul said that when the Finance post was refused, Mr Moniz "said the post that he would really like was Planning (part of the Environment Ministry).'' The Premier told Mr. Moniz he would have to consider that, because he was concerned about the volume of Planning work done by Mr. Moniz's small law firm, Moniz & George.

However, "on the weekend, I offered him the Planning post,'' Dr. Saul said.

"He then set certain conditions. You know my feeling on conditions. I just said `no'.'' Dr. Saul said one condition was that Mr. Woolridge be kept on as Tourism Minister.

A Government source said a second condition was that backbencher the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto return to Cabinet. Dr. Saul refused to comment on that.

Mr. Moniz, while confirming he was offered the Environment Ministry, denied setting either condition for joining Cabinet. "I had a wide-ranging discussion with Dr. Saul,'' he said. "He said he appreciated my frankness in sharing my views on how Government could proceed.'' Mr. Moniz said he told Dr. Saul that he had not supported him for the leadership, and `I don't think you can lead us to victory in an election'.'' To be successful, Dr. Saul "must be seen to embrace Jim Woolridge'', Mr.

Moniz told him.

But he denied demanding that Mr. Woolridge be retained as Tourism Minister, and denied demanding that Mrs. Cartwright Decouto be returned to Cabinet. "I said he should talk to her.'' Mr. Moniz said he was in "a no-win situation'' with respect to the new Cabinet. "If I go on board, people say I sold out,'' he said. "If I don't go on board, they say I'm being difficult.'' At a news conference on Tuesday, Dr. Saul said he individually invited four members of The UBP Group Against Independence Now to join his Cabinet. But only one member of the group -- his Devonshire South running mate the Hon.

John Barritt -- accepted.

It is believed the fourth member of the group who was offered a Cabinet post was former Government Whip Dr. David Dyer.

Sir John resigned as Premier, as he promised he would, after 74 percent of voters said "no'' to Independence on August 16.