Requesting Bermuda pay the US millions for the return of Base lands ignores the historical ties the two jurisdictions share, said the National Liberal Party of Bermuda.

"Now that the US government is asking $140 million for `improvements' the NLP suggests that the Bermuda Government remind them of the past and suggest that the British Government made the arrangements and commitment with the US,'' the political party said.

The NLP also said that the US was not required to pay rent for use of the land, a practice which the NLP fervently opposed.

"There is no doubt that Bermudians played an important part in containing the Nazi war machine and its ultimate defeat. Had Hitler overrun Great Britain and captured Bermuda in the process the east coast of the US would have been exposed,'' the NLP said.

"Bermuda and the US had a common enemy. While the US provided the war material, Bermudians made their contribution by giving up their homes and their land for future security.'' The NLP also took a position contrary to last Friday's Royal Gazette editorial which said the American position "is the clearest message we can think of to Bermudians that independence is an emotional myth.'' The NLP said the US position clearly indicates "we must look out for our own welfare.'' Although the UK government worked out the Base agreement it its own interest it had permitted the Bermuda Government to negotiate directly with the US government on the return of the land.

"If we were incapable, irresponsible, immature and unsophisticated, Britain would have insisted on dealing with the US directly with Bermuda sitting behind their negotiations,'' the NLP said.