1995: Americans vacate the Naval Annex in Southampton, leaving masses of pollution and waste.

2001: A private group of developers offer to clean up the land themselves as part of a $100 million tourist development — without wanting a cent from Government. In 2003, Cabinet Minister David Burch sends them a letter of rejection.

2002: The US Bases (Termination of Agreement) Act is passed by the House of Assembly, apparently freeing the US from responsibility for rectifying the pollution.

The US refuses to pay to clean up the pollution at Morgan's Point and the former Naval Air Base at St. David's, instead giving the Island $11 million to replace or repair Longbird Bridge.

2006: Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton highlights the $11 million agreement during a diplomatic visit to Washington.

2007: Premier Ewart Brown discusses the issue with Congressman Charles Rangel during a trip to Capitol Hill. Dr. Brown says the Democrat suggested talks could be reopened, a development he described as "phenomenal".

2008: After meeting with a delegation from Bermuda, US Congressman Diane Watson says: "We feel that the US, since there was a long-term base there, has a responsibility to clean it up. I would be supportive of a move to involve the US Navy in cleaning it up."

Congressman Rangel says he wants to get the issue "on the agenda".

2009: Dr. Brown meets US Attorney General Eric Holder for talks over the clean-up three months after Bermuda agrees to take in the Uighurs: four former Guantánamo Bay prisoners.

June 2010: Prior to a visit to Washington, Dr. Brown says he wants a "yes or no" answer on whether the US will pay for the clean-up. Once there, he meets with US Navy officials but doesn't reveal the outcome of the talks.

February 2010: The Ministry of Works and Engineering says it has delayed clean up work while it seeks "alternative funding sources".

March 2010: Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess tells the House of Assembly that total authorised funding for the remediation project at Morgan's Point is estimated at $35 million.

September 2010: Dr. Brown tells the media Bermuda is still in discussions with the US to see if it can assist financially.

Asked for further information on the talks yesterday, his spokesman says: "The Premier will not be commenting further."