A specially formed committee met yesterday as the Premier spoke for the first time about a possible land swap between Southlands and Morgan's Point.

The three-person Cabinet committee met with the developers of Southlands to discuss the swap of privately-owned Southlands land in exchange for an area of Government-owned Morgan's Point, a former US military base in the mid 1990s heavily polluted with oil.

Premier Ewart Brown is a member of the committee along with Deputy Premier Paula Cox and Minister Derrick Burgess.

In a press release, Dr. Brown said: "We have begun serious discussions regarding a land swap between Southlands and an area of Morgan's Point.

"Both parties have agreed to a methodical approach and will keep the public informed at appropriate intervals". The release also said there will be no further comment on this subject from the Cabinet office.

When asked why, Press Secretary to the Premier, Glenn Jones, said: "All that's been said is all that's going to be said now. As the quote says, in intervals, more will be reported."

A year ago, Dr. Brown told The Royal Gazette: " I would like to see a signature resort there sort of like Atlantis (resort in the Bahamas) where the hotel becomes the destination.

"Where the buzz gets around the world, the Dubai has its seven star hotel (the Burj Al Arab also operated by Jumeirah)".

Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley said the UBP has welcomed the meeting at the Cabinet office.

"The news that a Cabinet committee is in talks with the developers about a land-swap at Morgan's Point opens the process to possibilities we have long advocated, namely directing the resort to a brownfield site preserving Southlands as a national park for the benefit of all Bermudians".

However, he urged the public to remain vigilant as talks with developers do not mean anything yet. Mr. Dunkley explained the PLP had a 30-minute television special showing their commitment to a Jumeirah-Southlands resort only a few weeks ago saying it was in the Island's best interest.

He also said it will take a major commitment to pull of a land swap at Morgan's Point because Southlands is owned by developers on a freehold basis while Morgan's Point can only be leased. The other issue for the UBP is the multi-million dollar cleanup that would take place at Morgan's Point due to pollution stemming from 50 years as a military base. Former Premier Alex Scott also welcomed yesterday's meeting.

"It's very encouraging because that was the object of the whole exercise to persuade the developers of the Southlands.

"It could be a win win situation to sit down and discuss their project with the government with the idea of seriously considering the Morgan's Point Site.

"I think it's very encouraging that we've reached this point."

BEST chairman Stuart Hayward, Southlands developer Craig Christensen and Shadow Environment Minister Cole Simons were all unavailable for comment at press time.

Nelson Hunt, a developer of Southlands, refused to comment and Andrew Vaucrosson of Green Rock said he wanted to wait until Dr. Brown said more on the issue.