In exchange for tanks, planes, ammunition and other war-time necessities Britain granted the US 99 year leases on land under British control. One of these countries was the little island of Bermuda.
Due to budget constraints the US gave up the baselands here in Bermuda about ten years short of the 99 year lease period.
Bermuda was left with an environmental disaster.
A pristine cave system situated beneath the base at the Southampton Naval Annex was pumped full of raw sewage, navy issue tampons, oil sludge and any other toxic substance that the US did not want to spend money to transport "off-island". Since the discovery of this disaster...and the possible seepage into the water table under the base...the Bermuda government has been negociating with the US, through Great Britain, for compensation payments so that it can clean it up. Those same baselands have also been ear-marked for development, but the "money men" behind any development will not touch the land until the clean-up has been dealt with.
A little over a week ago our government "sold out" Bermuda for a measley 11 million dollars. This is less than one fifth of the amount it has been estimated it will cost - and as we all know these estimates are usually "half" of the actual cost. The government did this after being persuaded by Great Britain that it was the best deal Bermuda could have negociated.
Baloney! Unfortunately we have an inexperienced governmment who know nothing about international politics and who were easily misguided into thinking that we brokered the best deal possible.
So, thanks America....thanks Great Britain....You have done well and saved your respective counties some "pocket change". Meanwhile we will be left to clean up after you. As for the present government of Bermuda? Frankly there is not enough room on this BBS for me to put down all the nasty things I want to say to you.
(shakes head in disappointment)
