mansion last night appeared to be ruled out.

Acting US Consul General Sylvia Hammond said: "That is not the way the US Government normally handles such matters when it places diplomatic property up for sale.

"I can't think of any recent case where we traded property or worked out some kind of deal.'' The news came after Works & Engineering Minister Alex Scott floated the idea of a deal involving the $15 million Chelston and the replacement of Longbird Bridge, which Bermuda maintains is a US responsibility.

He said the Island could use the American responsibility for Longbird Bridge -- due to be replaced soon at an estimated cost of $15 to $20 million -- to offset the price tag for Chelston.

But Ms Hammond pointed out that Chelston was the property of the State Department, while Longbird Bridge had been the responsibility of the Department of Defence -- which operate separate budgets.

Ms Hammond added: "It would be highly unlikely such an agreement would be made between our Government and Bermuda on Chelston.'' It is understood that the Chelston issue came up in talks between the US and the Bermuda Government in April.

Ms Hammond said: "There have been no further discussions regarding the sale of Chelston and the Government of Bermuda have requested that the US government repair or replace Longbird Bridge.'' She said the terms of the Second World War base lands agreement also made Britain the lead negotiator in any talks over Longbird Bridge.

Ms Hammond said: "We have informed the Department of Defence about the Longbird Bridge situation -- but we have had no response.

"I haven't heard anything definitive one way or the other -- but that would probably be discussed by the US and the United Kingdom, anyway.'' Mr. Scott also said Government had offered to top any private offer for Chelston -- although he insisted $15 million was an over-valuation.

Ms Hammond said: "They have signalled an interest in Chelston -- that's pretty much where it's at.'' But she added she had not discussed the sale of Chelston with Mr. Scott.

Ms Hammond said: "It's always been clear that we would consider a viable offer from the Government of Bermuda, but we also reserved the right to consider viable options from other individuals.'' Mr. Scott said on Monday that Bermuda had already forked out $250,000 to repair the creaking connection between the Airport and Hamilton Parish -- a responsibility which Bermuda insists rests with the US.

Bermuda has already cited notes of agreement dating back 20 years -- said to show the US still had responsibility for the bridge link until 2040 under the original bases-for-arms deal struck in the 1940s.

Editorial: Page 4 Deal: Alex Scott