Rangel 'hinted' at base clean up

A clean-up of the former US naval baselands could be on the cards if the Democrats win the next election in the States, the Premier revealed last night.

High-ranking Congressman Charles Rangel raised the topic with Ewart Brown during discussions on Capitol Hill yesterday afternoon.

Dr. Brown, who is leading a Government delegation to the American capital for two days of talks with politicians, told The Royal Gazette: “He hinted at the possibility of reopening discussions on the clean-up of the former naval baselands.

“We had given up on it. I think that what he was saying was that to the extent that his party forms the next government there is a possibility that discussions could be reopened. I thought that was phenomenal.”

The baselands - in Southside, St. David’s and Morgan’s Point, Southampton - have long been a thorny subject for the Island’s leaders, on both sides of the political divide. The US has previously refused to pay directly for a clean-up, instead giving the Government $11 million earlier this decade for much-needed repairs to Longbird Bridge.

The chance of fresh talks on the topic if a Democrat makes it into the White House next year could generate interest from developers in the two sites, which were vacated by the Americans in the early 1990s.

Congressman Rangel - seen as a highly influential figure with key decision-makers in Congress - also told the Bermuda delegation that the Island need not worry about proposed changes to US tax law.

He said legislation to curb US businesses which base their operations abroad to avoid tax was not aimed at a jurisdiction like Bermuda (see separate business story). The meeting with Congressman Rangel was one of a series of appointments which saw Dr. Brown, Deputy Premier Paula Cox and their team dashing from building to building on Capitol Hill yesterday, escorted by US Consul General Gregory Slayton.

The day began with breakfast at the official residence of the UK Deputy Ambassador Alan Charlton and ended with a reception and dinner hosted by the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Re-insurers.

But the real business of the day took place in the corridors of Congress, where topics under discussion included tourism, finance and educational reform.

Meetings with ten politicians - including Republican presidential hopeful Sam Brownback - were described as “highly productive” by the Premier.

Dr. Brown discussed an “air services development strategy” with South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn, the Majority Whip in the House of Representatives. He was understood to love the idea of Charleston becoming another gateway city for Bermuda and said he would support the idea as it developed.

Dr. Brown also revealed that talks he held in the capital in March have resulted in US Customs agreeing to extend its hours at L. F. Wade International Airport. The move will allow passengers travelling on an evening flight to Baltimore to clear customs on the Island.

The second bilateral visit to DC by the Progressive Labour Party Government continues today (Fri) when the delegation will meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Bob Kimmitt, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, before returning to Bermuda this evening.

Courtesy of Royal Gazette reporter Sam Strangeways