military bases with the United States Government, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Official notification from the United Kingdom has been sent to Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan.

The UK notice is believed to authorise Bermuda to open direct negotiations with the Americans, probably through the US State Department.

It follows receipt of a State Department communication stating the US Government is ready to negotiate the base closures.

The exchange of notes follows President Bill Clinton's signing of the 1994 US Defence Spending Bill which orders withdrawal of funding for US bases in Bermuda by September, 1995.