Liberal Party candidate says she was told in a secret meeting.

Ms Cheryl Pooley says she met with a source linked to the US Defence department.

The US-based source also said the Bermuda Government is hiding news of its negotiations on the Base.

She said: "Our understanding is that there has actually been a proposal made that the base be closed within the next four years.

"From a source that we consider should be taken very seriously, we have been informed that the USNAS is scheduled for continued cuts in personnel and defence responsibilites over the next two to three years, with final closure considered in approximately 1997.

"Our source indicated that the Bermuda Government is negotiating with the parties involved and is presently keeping the facts regarding the progress, or lack of progress, from the Bermudian public.

"They might not be getting any progress, and therefore they don't want to reveal that.

"I think that they probably do have information that is very similar to the information that I have.

"But they want to be able to come back to the public and say everything's sorted out.'' She refused to name the source, but said they "work closely with someone who makes decisions regarding closures of foreign bases''.

She was approached because she spoke out on the issue in September.

Government should have a plan for US withdrawal regardless of whether it would happen in five or 50 years, she continued.

The NLP was concerned about the lack of trained Bermudians to take over from US personnel in weather forecasting, air traffic control, air and sea rescue and fire services.

Among the measures called for: Bermuda to be allowed to negotiate directly with the US and amend the bases agreement; Notice of withdrawal to be given by the US; The US, UK and Bermuda to train replacement workers; Top level managers to stay on for two years after withdrawal; Bermuda to examine environmental damage at the base, to be cleaned up with US cash; Future development of leased lands to be passed by Government; The right of the US to deepen harbours and to build to be removed; Other defence forces, like NATO, to be required to ask permission to use leased lands; and Beaches to be opened up to St. David's Islanders regardless of base closure.

The US Navy is reviewing the future of its Bermuda operations. A report by the Pentagon's inspector general has recommended the Base's closure by 1995 at the latest.