US Government Renounces Right To Reoccupy Bermuda

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

18 June 2002

The right of the United States to reoccupy Bermuda in an emergency situation will be officially renounced here in Washington today.

According to a report in the Bermuda Royal Gazette last week, the early termination of the 1941 Leased Lands Agreement - which allowed the US to unilaterally declare a state of emergency and occupy Bermudian land, water, and airspace - will be welcomed by residents, as it represents an important step forward for the restoration of Bermudian sovereignty.

Speaking on Friday with regard to today's 'exchange of notes' ceremony, Premier Jennifer Smith, who will attend with Governor Sir John Vereker observed that: 'Tuesday's ceremony will bring to an official end a unique and most important era in Bermuda's development.'

Although the US government has promised the Bermudian authorities $11 million for the upkeep of Longbird Bridge, the Progressive Labour Party has been criticised by some for failing to secure greater compensation for envoroinmental degradation due to military occupation.

According to the Royal Gazette: 'The former Naval Annex at Southampton was left with raw sewage and thousands of gallons of oil leaked out in underground caves after the US pulled out in 1995.' The newspaper went on to report on Saturday that: 'the former US Naval Air Station in St David's still has asbestos and other pollutant.'

However, the Bermuda government has hit back at criticisms, arguing that the deal secured with the United States is more favourable than those secured by other former military baselands, such as Canada.

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