with the US to clean up of the former Baselands.

The position emerged during an interview with Environment Minister, Arthur Hodgson and Minister for Development and Opportunity, Terry Lister. Both Ministers agreed that a law suit would only serve to drag out talks.

Mr. Lister said: "Suing is a complete waste of time. Suing in the international courts is the last thing you want to do because once you go down that path, that's where you have to be.

"They'll tie you up in court for the next 15 years and what good will that do?'' Mr. Hodgson, a lawyer by profession, added that beyond the length of time the proceedings would take, there would be difficulty in getting the US to obey the court decision.

"And even after you have won, what good is that,'' he asked. "You cannot force them to act.'' The Bermuda Government began clean-up talks with the US in 1995 when the Baselands closed. In 1998 when the Progressive Labour Party became the Government they resumed the negotiations, but to date there has been no sign of progress on the clean-up.

ENVIRONMENT ENV