Bermudians could win the rights of European Community citizens through the UK if changes are made in Britain's relationship with its dependent territories following the return of Hong Kong to China.

Speaking from London, Premier David Saul said Bermuda's future had been discussed at meetings with British Prime Minister John Major and senior civil servants from the UK Foreign Office.

And when asked if Bermuda could win the same rights in Europe as British subjects, he said: "It's a possibility.

"But at this point it would probably premature to go into the details of that.'' If Bermuda wins status similar to the metropolitan set-up enjoyed by French colonies, Bermudians would have access to the UK and European health services, and greater educational, employment and residential opportunities.

Dr. Saul said a committee of British MPs, which includes Rupert Allason, who owns a home on the Island, had been discussing the future of the remaining dependant territories post-Hong Kong.

He added: "Deliberations and discussions are taking place and they have appraised me of what is being considered.

"But nothing will be foisted on Bermuda -- it will all be done through mutual dialogue.'' Dr. Saul added the UK Government is to begin a massive clean-up operation to pump out tons of oil dumped in caves near the old HMS Malabar at Dockyard.

He said: "The British will tackle the problem early this year. They are going to clean up the residual oil which was pumped into a cave at the West End.'' Premier meets with Major The caves containing oil are under the old Casemates Prison and Westgate Prison and amounts to thousands of gallons.

Dr. Saul said: "The British have now admitted that the oil is their responsibility and they will clear it up.'' He added that he hoped the UK undertaking would be followed by the US government, which left oil in a cave at the old US Naval Annex in Southampton.

Dr. Saul said: "I hope the United States follows the United Kingdom's example.'' The Premier also met top UK Foreign Office mandarin Sir Nicholas Bonsor, who is the senior civil servant with responsibility for Bermuda.

He said: "We discussed a whole series of matters of interest to both Bermuda and Britain.'' Dr. Saul said he had also had a meeting with Foreign Office US specialist Charles Drace-Francis and added issues affecting Bermuda-UK and Bermuda-US relations had been discussed.

He added: "Mr. Major and I discussed a series of issues relating exclusively to the UK political situation and the Bermuda political situation.'' Dr. Saul said among the topics discussed with Mr. Major were the new Governor and forthcoming legislation in the House of Assembly.

But Dr. Saul said he had not had any contact with the UK Opposition Labour Party or its leader Tony Blair -- reckoned to be odds-on favourite to win the next UK election.

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