Station "to the hilt''.

His promise came as it was revealed that two US Government inquiries are underway into the Base.

The probes follow claims in ABC TV's PrimeTime Live show that the Base has no mission other than to run the Airport and be a "Club Med'' resort for Navy VIPs.

The Royal Gazette has also revealed allegations of security scandals and cover-ups of sexual assaults.

Sir John said Government was watching how the new US administration took shape and how Congress would function, so it would know who to lobby on keeping the Base open.

"At the moment we have to find out who are the real players who can carry the ball for us,'' he said. "We must first understand the ground rules and then decide a strategy.

"It will have to be handled very delicately. We can't go in like a bull in a china shop. But we will argue the merits of our case.

"It really is an American decision about how they spend their money in their interests, and if their interests coincide with Bermuda's, that's fine.

"Bermuda would like for them to stay, and get the benefits, so we have to find a justifiable reason way beyond the Cold War necessity of the Base.'' Last night on PrimeTime, reporter Mr. Sam Donaldson followed up his original report with confirmation that the US Inspector Generals of the Navy and the Department of Defence are both investigating alleged abuses.

He said the two whistle-blowers he interviewed will be reassigned to command posts outside the Atlantic Fleet area.

And he said Congresswoman Pat Schroeder had asked the Pentagon to explain why the base was being kept open.

He told The Royal Gazette other members of Congress were also asking for a response to the alleged improprieties.

He said PrimeTime would be keeping track of the futures of the two officers who spoke out.

Asked why there had been no defence of the Base in his original report, he said: "No one offered a defence. We were very straightforward in our request, and asked for a tour of the Base. We informed the Navy what we wanted to do.

"The Navy did say the Base would act as an emergency landing place if a shuttle mission went wrong, but it turned out the only day to day mission of the Base was to run Bermuda Airport.'' The sex assault allegations were not included in the programme because there was not enough time, he said.