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http://www.belfastte...sp?story=553496
Blair's Belfast-style assurances put Gibraltarians on the defensive
By Lindy McDowell
lmcdowell@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
20 August 2004
The Union Flags flutter from every window in the block of flats. Red, white and blue bunting is strung across every balcony. It looks like Mount Vernon when Mount Vernon, a couple of Twelfths ago, went through a "compulsory loyalist decorations" initiative.
It is, in fact, an apartment block in Gibraltar. And the "triumphalist" emblemry with which it is festooned is there to mark 300 years of British rule.
Everywhere you look it is the same picture. Flags, flags and more flags. It makes the Lower Shankill look, frankly, understated. For this is as much a show of defiance as it is of celebration.
Gibraltarians feel that their nation's British connection is at risk. And it is at risk not just from Spain, which has long wanted the place back and these days makes the point with an almost comic display of petulance at the border where visitors are kept needlessly queuing at the checkpoint.
It is also at risk from the Blair Government. La Tony, who seems to spend his time these days flitting around Europe like a political groupie endlessly on the trail of the freebie family fortnight in the sun, is not seen locally as the sort of guy who is likely to have Gibraltar's best interests at heart. And back in Britain where, to most people, the words "The Rock" are more likely to signify a beefy American wrestler or the late Princess Diana's butler, Gibraltarians are well aware that their cause is as much unrecognised as it is unfashionable.
This month's symbolic anniversary event, which involved 15,000 people dressed in red and white clasping hands to encircle their nation, did evoke considerable media and public interest and support.
But generally Gibraltar tends to make the news only when it is on the receiving end of yet another patronisingly woolly message of "reassurance" from a New Labour politician (Geoff Hoon being but the most recent.) These statements amount to the local version of Tony Blair's "written assurances" on the Belfast Agreement. Exactly. That reassuring. And there are indeed many parallels between Gibraltar and Northern Ireland.
Tony and his "right on" cronies regard Gibraltarians in much the same dim light as they regard Ulster unionists. They don't understand why these people see themselves as British in the first place and they're faintly embarrassed by the fervour of the allegiance these "outsiders" claim to a nationality they themselves treat with contempt.
To them, Gibraltar smack of colonialism. Their sympathy is entirely with the Spanish who, without the least trace of irony, demand the return of "their" territory while refusing to give up their own "colonial" outposts in Ceuta and Melilla just across the straits, in North Africa.
The fact is that Gibraltar has been British longer than it was ever Spanish. It has been British longer than America has been American. And the point that the New Labour fashionistas miss is that, far from being a last outpost of HP sauce and M&S underwear, Gibraltar is a glorious example of multi-cultural and ethnic diversity. While the place does have its famous smattering of well-known chain store outlets and pubs selling Double Diamond on draught and shepherd's pie, it is much, much more than that.
Like the strategic port that it is, the Rock has, over the centuries been attacked, invaded and peopled by many civilisations, religions and cultures - and most have left their mark. The British, the Spanish, the Moors, the Maltese, the Indians, to name just a handful.
On Saturday in the city centre, families from Gibraltar's sizeable Jewish community stroll home from synagogue in their immaculate Sabbath best stopping to chat to their friends. A group of Muslim women are gathering around a sales stand in the Tie Rack shop discussing the price of head scarves. Just across the road an Indian shopkeeper seems less concerned about making a sale than about reassuring a young Spanish mother that, yes, her kids must feel free to play with the gadgets in his shop. And all around the tourists bustle...
The charm of Gibraltar is not that it's the Middle England of the Iberian peninsula but that it's a diverse, dynamic and complex mix. It would be a sin if Tony Blair and his Government were to sell these people out - and sell them out merely because it is not deemed politically correct that their rights should be defended.
Just off Main Street is Gibraltar's thriving Irish Town area. But a closer link with Northern Ireland can be found further along, through the tunnels than lead beneath the ancient battlements. There you'll come to Ballymena House, so named in tribute to the Co Antrim town which hosted many of Gibraltar's evacuees during the Second World War.
Ironically it was in the car park just in front of this block of flats that the IRA's Gibraltar Three were despatched by the SAS. There is, of course, no memorial to mark the spot.
Gibraltarians rightly have no truck with terrorism. There is no local "liberation army", no "defence association" no "freedom fighters" to talk of the "armed struggle" for "self determination" or to threaten of what might happen should "frustrations" be allowed to boil over.
Yet, tellingly, this law abiding reputation is unlikely to win them points with the British Government. For if the Gibraltarians are to learn anything from our own recent history it is this. That what makes your cause fashionable and "sexy" in the eyes of Tony and his cronies is not your culture, your history or the reason and legitimacy of your argument. It's the size of the weapon in your hand.
Page 1 of 1
Blair's Belfast-style assurances put Gibraltarians on the de
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Posted 29 August 2004 - 11:02 PM
King's Own Royal Border Regiment Soldiers Celebrate Tercentenary of Gibraltar - By Peter Donnelly, Curator, The Kings Own Museum, Lancaster. (10/08/04)
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion King's Own Royal Border Regiment have travelled out to Gibraltar to take part in a key ceremony during the colony's 300th Anniversary Celebrations.
The Regiment, who was present in the capture of the rock in 1704, was honoured by being invited to take part in the Guard Mounting Ceremony at the Convent - the Residence of the Governor. An officer, sergeant and five other soldiers flew out to the rock to take part in the ceremony in front of His Excellency the Governor, Sir Francis Richards; the Chief Minister, Peter Caruana, and specially invited guests including four former governors.
The King's Own Border soldiers marched to the square behind a band formed of members of the Royal Marines and Royal Gibraltar Regiment - which played the Regimental March along with other traditional music. During the ceremony the soldiers of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment handed over the guarding of the Convent to the King's Own Royal Border Regiment. Thousands of spectators lined the streets and watched from roof tops and windows along the route and around the Square.
Private Barrie Gardner, age 17, from Lancaster and one of the youngest members of the 1st Battalion King's Own Royal Border Regiment, took part in the ceremony and took over the guard of the residence. He said it was a great honour to be part of the parade and "it is something which will stay with me all my army career".
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion King's Own Royal Border Regiment have travelled out to Gibraltar to take part in a key ceremony during the colony's 300th Anniversary Celebrations.
The Regiment, who was present in the capture of the rock in 1704, was honoured by being invited to take part in the Guard Mounting Ceremony at the Convent - the Residence of the Governor. An officer, sergeant and five other soldiers flew out to the rock to take part in the ceremony in front of His Excellency the Governor, Sir Francis Richards; the Chief Minister, Peter Caruana, and specially invited guests including four former governors.
The King's Own Border soldiers marched to the square behind a band formed of members of the Royal Marines and Royal Gibraltar Regiment - which played the Regimental March along with other traditional music. During the ceremony the soldiers of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment handed over the guarding of the Convent to the King's Own Royal Border Regiment. Thousands of spectators lined the streets and watched from roof tops and windows along the route and around the Square.
Private Barrie Gardner, age 17, from Lancaster and one of the youngest members of the 1st Battalion King's Own Royal Border Regiment, took part in the ceremony and took over the guard of the residence. He said it was a great honour to be part of the parade and "it is something which will stay with me all my army career".
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Posted 29 August 2004 - 11:03 PM
http://www.expatica....2&story_id=5967 Gibraltar under siege again?
As Gibraltar marks its 300th anniversary this week, yet another row has blown up with Spain over the visits of Princess Anne and British Defence Minister Geoff Hoon to the Rock. But a threat in the form of EU challenge to its tax haven status could prove more potent in the long-term. We examine if Gibraltar can withstand this threat.
The planned visits of Princess Anne and British Defence Minister Geoff Hoon to the Rock this week have sparked a fresh diplomatic row between Madrid and London over the 300-year-old colony.
Brussels has been investigating the tax status of Gibraltar for three years
Much of this was predictable as the row of soveriegnty rumbles on without an end in sight.
But hundreds of miles away from the tiny Mediterranean colony in Brussels, perhaps a more potent threat exists.
The European Commission has outlawed British government plans for sweeping reforms of Gibraltar’s company tax rules.
The changes planned by the British government – abolishing the current 35 percent corporate tax rates in Gibraltar and bringing in new taxes capped at 15 percent of profits – breached EU rules on state aid, according to competition Commissioner Mario Monti.
He said the changes would give Gibraltar-registered companies an unfair advantage over UK-based companies which face a 30 percent main rate of corporation tax – twice the maximum level now planned for the Rock.
Monti launched an investigation last October after London formally applied for clearance to change Gibraltar’s corporate tax arrangements.
Under Britain's plans, companies registered there would be subject to a “payroll tax” of GBP 3,000 per employee and a “business property occupation tax”.
The combined tax take under the new system would be capped at 15 percent of profits or GBP 500,000, whichever is the lower, replacing the current 35 percent general tax on company profits.
Only Gibraltar’s utility companies – telecoms, water, sewage, electricity and fuel – would continue to be taxed at a 35 percent flat rate.
London was disappointed at the EU decision, particularly as the proposed tax changes for Gibraltar had already been approved by EU finance ministers.
It is considering taking legal action to challenge the ruling.
A spokesman said: “We will study this judgment very carefully. The Commission say lower corporate tax in Gibraltar amounts to state aid, but we are convinced that Gibraltar can establish a different tax from the UK and still remain within the EU’s state aid rules.
“Gibraltar is not part of the UK for this or any other purpose, and going to the European Court of Justice is one of the options we will be looking at.”
Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Peter Caruana has already pledged to fight the Commission decision in court to win the Rock’s right to change its tax laws.
For Spain the Monti ruling was a small victory.
The Spanish press has claimed that the Rock's tax haven status not only benefits 30,000 companies which work from Gibraltar, but also the Russian mafia.
El Pais newspaper reported that Gibraltar is the fifth biggest investor in Russia, with many organised criminals, who live on the nearby Costa del Sol, doing shady financial deals through Gibraltar.
It is not the first time this criticism has been levelled at the Rock.
Brussels has been investigating the tax status of the colony for three years.
It has been probing tax perks which mean that companies registered in Gibraltar pay EUR 4,400 for each employee on their profits.
But many companies do not have any employees working there and most do not declare their profits.
So these firms escape the taxes they would pay on their profits - 30 percent in Britain or 35 percent in Spain.
According to EC sources, the tax regime in Gibraltar needs to be "suppressed".
The Rock could now be brought into line with other EU countries and would have to pay the same tax levels as in Britain.
Madrid believes this reform of Gibraltar would be long-overdue and sees it as another way to weaken the colony.
According to reports from the Spanish government, up to EUR 100 million is laundered there by Russian gangsters.
Monti has not singled out Gibraltar, but is trying to crackdown on all tax havens.
He said: "The Commission, as guardian of the norms of competition, needs to control the state aids (which each country gives) in all their forms: subsidies, guarantees or favourable fiscal regimes."
But any moves by the EC to do away with the colony's favourable tax status will be seen in Gibraltar as a direct threat to its sovereignty.
And there remains a bullish mood in the colony to defend any moves to surrender this to Europe or to near-neighbour Spain.
At a recent chief service in London to mark the colony's 300th anniversary, Gibraltar's chief minister Peter Caruana said: "Gibraltar is as much a part of Britain's history and heritage as Britain is of ours."
Apart from Caruana, most people on the tiny colony feel the same.
Some, however, may not be against doing some kind of deal.
Donna Seruya, whose father was a former minister for tourism and economic development in Gibraltar, said she favoured the "status quo" as the way forward, she was not averse to an agreed solution with Spain.
But others feel there is no room to manoeuvre.
Jane Charvetto, who emigrated from the UK to Gibraltar in 1944, said: "We are British and that's it.
Updated August 2004
"Gibraltar is as much a part of Britain's history and heritage as Britain is of ours. – Peter Caruana, Gibraltar's chief minister"
"The Commission, as guardian of the norms of competition, needs to control the state aids (which each country gives) in all their forms: subsidies, guarantees or favourable fiscal regimes. - Mario Monti, EC competition commissioner"
Gibraltar Factfile
Size: 6.5 sq km, but historically
strategically important as crossroads
from Mediterranean Sea to Atlantic
Population: 30,000
Languages: English (official) Spanish
Political status: British dependent
territory; not in EU, self-governing
except in foreign policy
Brief History: Besieged 15 times,
derives its from invading Arabic
leader who captured Spain and
Gibraltar in eighth century.
The Romans coined the phrase
"ne plus ultra" - go no further -
to refer to the Straits of Gibraltar.
1704: Britain captures Gibraltar
from Spain.
1713: Colony ceded to Britain.
1783: End of four-year siege.
1830: British colony.
1969: Self-government; Spain closes
borders, not reopened until 1985
2002: 98.7pc of population vote
against shared sovereignty
As Gibraltar marks its 300th anniversary this week, yet another row has blown up with Spain over the visits of Princess Anne and British Defence Minister Geoff Hoon to the Rock. But a threat in the form of EU challenge to its tax haven status could prove more potent in the long-term. We examine if Gibraltar can withstand this threat.
The planned visits of Princess Anne and British Defence Minister Geoff Hoon to the Rock this week have sparked a fresh diplomatic row between Madrid and London over the 300-year-old colony.
Brussels has been investigating the tax status of Gibraltar for three years
Much of this was predictable as the row of soveriegnty rumbles on without an end in sight.
But hundreds of miles away from the tiny Mediterranean colony in Brussels, perhaps a more potent threat exists.
The European Commission has outlawed British government plans for sweeping reforms of Gibraltar’s company tax rules.
The changes planned by the British government – abolishing the current 35 percent corporate tax rates in Gibraltar and bringing in new taxes capped at 15 percent of profits – breached EU rules on state aid, according to competition Commissioner Mario Monti.
He said the changes would give Gibraltar-registered companies an unfair advantage over UK-based companies which face a 30 percent main rate of corporation tax – twice the maximum level now planned for the Rock.
Monti launched an investigation last October after London formally applied for clearance to change Gibraltar’s corporate tax arrangements.
Under Britain's plans, companies registered there would be subject to a “payroll tax” of GBP 3,000 per employee and a “business property occupation tax”.
The combined tax take under the new system would be capped at 15 percent of profits or GBP 500,000, whichever is the lower, replacing the current 35 percent general tax on company profits.
Only Gibraltar’s utility companies – telecoms, water, sewage, electricity and fuel – would continue to be taxed at a 35 percent flat rate.
London was disappointed at the EU decision, particularly as the proposed tax changes for Gibraltar had already been approved by EU finance ministers.
It is considering taking legal action to challenge the ruling.
A spokesman said: “We will study this judgment very carefully. The Commission say lower corporate tax in Gibraltar amounts to state aid, but we are convinced that Gibraltar can establish a different tax from the UK and still remain within the EU’s state aid rules.
“Gibraltar is not part of the UK for this or any other purpose, and going to the European Court of Justice is one of the options we will be looking at.”
Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Peter Caruana has already pledged to fight the Commission decision in court to win the Rock’s right to change its tax laws.
For Spain the Monti ruling was a small victory.
The Spanish press has claimed that the Rock's tax haven status not only benefits 30,000 companies which work from Gibraltar, but also the Russian mafia.
El Pais newspaper reported that Gibraltar is the fifth biggest investor in Russia, with many organised criminals, who live on the nearby Costa del Sol, doing shady financial deals through Gibraltar.
It is not the first time this criticism has been levelled at the Rock.
Brussels has been investigating the tax status of the colony for three years.
It has been probing tax perks which mean that companies registered in Gibraltar pay EUR 4,400 for each employee on their profits.
But many companies do not have any employees working there and most do not declare their profits.
So these firms escape the taxes they would pay on their profits - 30 percent in Britain or 35 percent in Spain.
According to EC sources, the tax regime in Gibraltar needs to be "suppressed".
The Rock could now be brought into line with other EU countries and would have to pay the same tax levels as in Britain.
Madrid believes this reform of Gibraltar would be long-overdue and sees it as another way to weaken the colony.
According to reports from the Spanish government, up to EUR 100 million is laundered there by Russian gangsters.
Monti has not singled out Gibraltar, but is trying to crackdown on all tax havens.
He said: "The Commission, as guardian of the norms of competition, needs to control the state aids (which each country gives) in all their forms: subsidies, guarantees or favourable fiscal regimes."
But any moves by the EC to do away with the colony's favourable tax status will be seen in Gibraltar as a direct threat to its sovereignty.
And there remains a bullish mood in the colony to defend any moves to surrender this to Europe or to near-neighbour Spain.
At a recent chief service in London to mark the colony's 300th anniversary, Gibraltar's chief minister Peter Caruana said: "Gibraltar is as much a part of Britain's history and heritage as Britain is of ours."
Apart from Caruana, most people on the tiny colony feel the same.
Some, however, may not be against doing some kind of deal.
Donna Seruya, whose father was a former minister for tourism and economic development in Gibraltar, said she favoured the "status quo" as the way forward, she was not averse to an agreed solution with Spain.
But others feel there is no room to manoeuvre.
Jane Charvetto, who emigrated from the UK to Gibraltar in 1944, said: "We are British and that's it.
Updated August 2004
"Gibraltar is as much a part of Britain's history and heritage as Britain is of ours. – Peter Caruana, Gibraltar's chief minister"
"The Commission, as guardian of the norms of competition, needs to control the state aids (which each country gives) in all their forms: subsidies, guarantees or favourable fiscal regimes. - Mario Monti, EC competition commissioner"
Gibraltar Factfile
Size: 6.5 sq km, but historically
strategically important as crossroads
from Mediterranean Sea to Atlantic
Population: 30,000
Languages: English (official) Spanish
Political status: British dependent
territory; not in EU, self-governing
except in foreign policy
Brief History: Besieged 15 times,
derives its from invading Arabic
leader who captured Spain and
Gibraltar in eighth century.
The Romans coined the phrase
"ne plus ultra" - go no further -
to refer to the Straits of Gibraltar.
1704: Britain captures Gibraltar
from Spain.
1713: Colony ceded to Britain.
1783: End of four-year siege.
1830: British colony.
1969: Self-government; Spain closes
borders, not reopened until 1985
2002: 98.7pc of population vote
against shared sovereignty
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Posted 29 August 2004 - 11:03 PM
http://www.guardian....tory/...1275940,00.html
Gibraltar marks 300 years of British rule
Associated Press
Wednesday August 4, 2004
People form a human chain in Gibraltar to celebrate the Rock's 300th anniversary as a British dependency. Photograph: Jose Luis Roca/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands of Gibraltarians today held hands to create a human chain around the tiny territory as they defied protests from neighbouring Spain to celebrate 300 years of British rule.
The day's festivities, which include a visit by the British defence secretary, Geoff Hoon, and a parade of 300 sailors, were criticised by Madrid as "insensitive", bearing in mind the centuries-old dispute over the territory.
Spain's prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, led the chorus of disapproval. "Neither the government nor the immense majority of Spanish society thinks what we have seen is appropriate," he told reporters.
"But we have a 300-year-old problem, and we have to tackle it with caution, calm, and with dialogue."
The country's foreign minister, Miguel Moratinos, expressed similar sentiments in an article published in the El País newspaper.
"Nobody can deny the Gibraltarians the right to commemorate their own history. However, some exercise of self-restraint might have been expected from the British government" as a fellow EU member, he said.
Spain lost the deep-sea harbour and strategic naval base on August 4 1704, and has called for its reinstatement as part of the Spanish mainland ever since. Most recently, Spanish officials lodged formal protests over the recent visit to Gibraltar of princess Anne, and the docking of the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Tireless. Both Downing Street and the government in Gibraltar today sought to play down the tensions.
"We have a good relationship with the Spanish. They are an EU and Nato partner. It would be appropriate for a member of the Cabinet to attend the ceremonies there - I don't think there is any difficulty with that," said a Downing Street spokesman.
The territory's chief minister, Peter Caruana, told journalists that neither recent visits nor the celebrations were intended as a snub Spain's new government.
"Neither the Tireless, nor the royal visit of the princess, nor Mr Hoon's visit are not to snub the ruling Socialist party. The three events were programmed well before [Spain's] elections," Mr Caruana said.
He insisted on Gibraltarians' right to celebrate their past, saying: "It would be unacceptable to erase some aspects of our history. We are proud of our history, including the military aspects."
Despite the diplomatic language, tensions were still evident. Earlier this week, Mr Caruana told Madrid that the celebrations were "none of their business", and local residents who participated in today's human chain expressed their thoughts in equally forthright terms.
"We are going to prove to the world that nobody can take Gibraltar from us," said Lilian Carroll, a 60-year-old resident.
Gibraltar's government declared the day a national holiday called the day of freedom, and the territory's parliament presented the freedom of the city award to the Royal Navy, which deployed the frigate HMS Grafton to the scene.
Gibraltar is a rocky outcrop measuring 5.8 sq km (2.25 sq miles) at the tip of the Iberian peninsula. It juts into the Mediterranean Sea at the point where it narrows to an eight mile (15km) strait separating Europe from Africa.
Britain was ceded formal control of the territory by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, and its current position is that no change of the territory's status can be negotiated with Spain unless its residents agree.
A proposal for joint Spanish-British sovereignty for the territory fell through in 2002 after almost 99% of voters on the Rock rejected the plan in a non-binding referendum
Gibraltar Celebrations 'None of Spain's Business'
http://news.scotsman....cfm?id=3284574
By Nick Mead, Political Staff, PA News
Gibraltar’s chief minister today defended the territory’s celebrations to mark 300 years of British rule, telling the Spanish it is “none of their business”.
Events to mark August 4, 1704 include the formation of a “human chain” around the island, the granting of the freedom of the city of Gibraltar to the Royal Navy, and street parties.
Peter Caruana told the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: “We are not celebrating the sort of military battles fought and won by British forces in 1704, we’re celebrating the 300th anniversary of British sovereignty and our relationship with Britain, which has been mutually beneficial and which has given us everything that we have and which we value.
“How we choose to celebrate our very close links with Britain and our British sovereignty are a matter for us.
“Frankly for the Spaniards, after 300 years of Gibraltar being British, to try and lecture us on how we should commemorate that is really none of their business and somewhat impertinent.
“This is just an attempt by Spain... to try and create a live issue of Gibraltar’s sovereignty when it’s not a live issue.”
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-20043...4360490,00.html
Fury over Gibraltar march
Colony ... Rock of Gibraltar is source
of long dispute between Britain and Spain
By NIC CECIL
Politcial Correspondent
BRITAIN will defy Spanish fury today by staging a Royal Navy marchpast through Gibraltar — with fixed bayonets.
Our Boys will shrug off a massive diplomatic row to mark the 300th anniversary of Britain’s sovereignty of the Rock.
Hoon ... defiant stand
More than 300 sailors will parade through the centre of the disputed colony despite angry outbursts from Spain’s new Socialist government.
Defence supremo Geoff Hoon will attend. Madrid accused London of a hostile act against Spain and the EU.
Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Peter Caruana fumed: “For the Spaniards to try and lecture us on how we commemorate — that is none of their business.”
Gibraltar marks 300 years of British rule
Associated Press
Wednesday August 4, 2004
People form a human chain in Gibraltar to celebrate the Rock's 300th anniversary as a British dependency. Photograph: Jose Luis Roca/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands of Gibraltarians today held hands to create a human chain around the tiny territory as they defied protests from neighbouring Spain to celebrate 300 years of British rule.
The day's festivities, which include a visit by the British defence secretary, Geoff Hoon, and a parade of 300 sailors, were criticised by Madrid as "insensitive", bearing in mind the centuries-old dispute over the territory.
Spain's prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, led the chorus of disapproval. "Neither the government nor the immense majority of Spanish society thinks what we have seen is appropriate," he told reporters.
"But we have a 300-year-old problem, and we have to tackle it with caution, calm, and with dialogue."
The country's foreign minister, Miguel Moratinos, expressed similar sentiments in an article published in the El País newspaper.
"Nobody can deny the Gibraltarians the right to commemorate their own history. However, some exercise of self-restraint might have been expected from the British government" as a fellow EU member, he said.
Spain lost the deep-sea harbour and strategic naval base on August 4 1704, and has called for its reinstatement as part of the Spanish mainland ever since. Most recently, Spanish officials lodged formal protests over the recent visit to Gibraltar of princess Anne, and the docking of the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Tireless. Both Downing Street and the government in Gibraltar today sought to play down the tensions.
"We have a good relationship with the Spanish. They are an EU and Nato partner. It would be appropriate for a member of the Cabinet to attend the ceremonies there - I don't think there is any difficulty with that," said a Downing Street spokesman.
The territory's chief minister, Peter Caruana, told journalists that neither recent visits nor the celebrations were intended as a snub Spain's new government.
"Neither the Tireless, nor the royal visit of the princess, nor Mr Hoon's visit are not to snub the ruling Socialist party. The three events were programmed well before [Spain's] elections," Mr Caruana said.
He insisted on Gibraltarians' right to celebrate their past, saying: "It would be unacceptable to erase some aspects of our history. We are proud of our history, including the military aspects."
Despite the diplomatic language, tensions were still evident. Earlier this week, Mr Caruana told Madrid that the celebrations were "none of their business", and local residents who participated in today's human chain expressed their thoughts in equally forthright terms.
"We are going to prove to the world that nobody can take Gibraltar from us," said Lilian Carroll, a 60-year-old resident.
Gibraltar's government declared the day a national holiday called the day of freedom, and the territory's parliament presented the freedom of the city award to the Royal Navy, which deployed the frigate HMS Grafton to the scene.
Gibraltar is a rocky outcrop measuring 5.8 sq km (2.25 sq miles) at the tip of the Iberian peninsula. It juts into the Mediterranean Sea at the point where it narrows to an eight mile (15km) strait separating Europe from Africa.
Britain was ceded formal control of the territory by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, and its current position is that no change of the territory's status can be negotiated with Spain unless its residents agree.
A proposal for joint Spanish-British sovereignty for the territory fell through in 2002 after almost 99% of voters on the Rock rejected the plan in a non-binding referendum
Gibraltar Celebrations 'None of Spain's Business'
http://news.scotsman....cfm?id=3284574
By Nick Mead, Political Staff, PA News
Gibraltar’s chief minister today defended the territory’s celebrations to mark 300 years of British rule, telling the Spanish it is “none of their business”.
Events to mark August 4, 1704 include the formation of a “human chain” around the island, the granting of the freedom of the city of Gibraltar to the Royal Navy, and street parties.
Peter Caruana told the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: “We are not celebrating the sort of military battles fought and won by British forces in 1704, we’re celebrating the 300th anniversary of British sovereignty and our relationship with Britain, which has been mutually beneficial and which has given us everything that we have and which we value.
“How we choose to celebrate our very close links with Britain and our British sovereignty are a matter for us.
“Frankly for the Spaniards, after 300 years of Gibraltar being British, to try and lecture us on how we should commemorate that is really none of their business and somewhat impertinent.
“This is just an attempt by Spain... to try and create a live issue of Gibraltar’s sovereignty when it’s not a live issue.”
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-20043...4360490,00.html
Fury over Gibraltar march
Colony ... Rock of Gibraltar is source
of long dispute between Britain and Spain
By NIC CECIL
Politcial Correspondent
BRITAIN will defy Spanish fury today by staging a Royal Navy marchpast through Gibraltar — with fixed bayonets.
Our Boys will shrug off a massive diplomatic row to mark the 300th anniversary of Britain’s sovereignty of the Rock.
Hoon ... defiant stand
More than 300 sailors will parade through the centre of the disputed colony despite angry outbursts from Spain’s new Socialist government.
Defence supremo Geoff Hoon will attend. Madrid accused London of a hostile act against Spain and the EU.
Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Peter Caruana fumed: “For the Spaniards to try and lecture us on how we commemorate — that is none of their business.”
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Posted 29 August 2004 - 11:04 PM
http://www.cnn.com/2...ates/index.html
Gibraltar celebrates, Spain fumes
Wednesday, August 4, 2004 Posted: 8:47 AM EDT (1247 GMT) Wednesday, August 4, 2004 Posted: 8:47 AM EDT (1247 GMT)
GIBRALTAR -- Thousands of Gibraltarians celebrated 300 years of British rule by forming a human chain around "the Rock" while Spain fumed over the presence of a British minister.
Some 12,000 people, dressed in Gibraltar's colors of red and white and waving British "Union Jack" flags, linked hands, encircling the Rock in a symbol of unity.
Wednesday was the highpoint of year-long celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of Gibraltar's occupation by an Anglo-Dutch force in 1704.
The celebrations have raised tension between Britain and Spain over the tiny British colony on the Spanish southern coast over which Madrid seeks to recover sovereignty.
Spain has protested to Britain over the presence of Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon at Wednesday's celebrations, calling it the latest of a series of "unfriendly gestures" that included a recent trip to Gibraltar by Britain's Princess Anne and a visit by British nuclear submarine HMS Tireless.
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Wednesday that Britain's eagerness to celebrate demonstrated a "clear lack of sensitivity" by London.
"No one can deny the people of Gibraltar the right to commemorate their own history... However, we would have expected an exercise in self-control on the part of the British government," Moratinos wrote in El Pais newspaper.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero also joined the controversy Wednesday.
"Neither the government nor the immense majority of Spanish society thinks what we have seen is appropriate," he said, in what Spanish media said was a reference to London's conduct.
"But, I insist, we have a 300-year-old problem and we have to tackle it with care, calm and with dialogue," he told reporters as he arrived in the island of Menorca for a holiday.
Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana insisted Gibraltar had a perfect right to celebrate its history.
"We are not celebrating any... battle, nor the defeat of one side or the victory of the other," he said in an interview with Spain's Cadena Ser radio.
"We are celebrating our history and the 300 years of our history with the United Kingdom."
Royal Navy honored
Hoon did not join in the human chain but did attend a session of Gibraltar's House of Assembly, or parliament, which passed a motion conferring the "freedom of the city," the colony's highest honor, on Britain's Royal Navy which has long defended the territory.
Some 300 Navy personnel will exercise that right by marching through the town, with fixed bayonets, on Wednesday evening.
The parliament passed a second motion, pledging to resist any negotiations "against the wishes of the people of Gibraltar, for the transfer to Spain of any part of the sovereignty of Gibraltar."
Hoon in Gibraltar Tuesday with his wife and an unidentified senior Royal Navy officer.
Michael Ancram, foreign affairs spokesman for Britain's Conservative Party, told BBC Radio: "This is a very important moment in Gibraltar's history -- 300 years of being British, which is rather longer than it was ever Spanish."
"It's absolutely right that we now celebrate with them those 300 years and once again reiterate that they will remain British so long as that is their wish," he said.
Spain has long demanded the return of the strategic strip of land.
London and Madrid came close to a deal on joint sovereignty in 2002, but it collapsed following an unofficial referendum showing 99 percent of Gibraltarians were opposed to the change.
Envoy summoned
Tensions flared last week when Britain announced Hoon would visit the tiny territory.
Madrid summoned the British ambassador to protest but Hoon went ahead with the visit which began Monday.
A visit last month by Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth's daughter, also sparked outrage in the Spanish media and prompted PM Zapatero's government to complain to the British ambassador.
Zapatero, elected in March, has described a visit by British nuclear submarine HMS Tireless last month as the incident which most displeased him during his first 100 days in office.
In London, Britain's minister for Europe Denis MacShane met Spain's new ambassador and discussed topics including Gibraltar.
A Foreign Office spokesman told Reuters the talks were "relaxed and friendly" and the two agreed, informally, on the need to discuss issues, including Gibraltar, in a calm and quiet manner.
Gibraltar celebrates, Spain fumes
Wednesday, August 4, 2004 Posted: 8:47 AM EDT (1247 GMT) Wednesday, August 4, 2004 Posted: 8:47 AM EDT (1247 GMT)
GIBRALTAR -- Thousands of Gibraltarians celebrated 300 years of British rule by forming a human chain around "the Rock" while Spain fumed over the presence of a British minister.
Some 12,000 people, dressed in Gibraltar's colors of red and white and waving British "Union Jack" flags, linked hands, encircling the Rock in a symbol of unity.
Wednesday was the highpoint of year-long celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of Gibraltar's occupation by an Anglo-Dutch force in 1704.
The celebrations have raised tension between Britain and Spain over the tiny British colony on the Spanish southern coast over which Madrid seeks to recover sovereignty.
Spain has protested to Britain over the presence of Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon at Wednesday's celebrations, calling it the latest of a series of "unfriendly gestures" that included a recent trip to Gibraltar by Britain's Princess Anne and a visit by British nuclear submarine HMS Tireless.
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Wednesday that Britain's eagerness to celebrate demonstrated a "clear lack of sensitivity" by London.
"No one can deny the people of Gibraltar the right to commemorate their own history... However, we would have expected an exercise in self-control on the part of the British government," Moratinos wrote in El Pais newspaper.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero also joined the controversy Wednesday.
"Neither the government nor the immense majority of Spanish society thinks what we have seen is appropriate," he said, in what Spanish media said was a reference to London's conduct.
"But, I insist, we have a 300-year-old problem and we have to tackle it with care, calm and with dialogue," he told reporters as he arrived in the island of Menorca for a holiday.
Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana insisted Gibraltar had a perfect right to celebrate its history.
"We are not celebrating any... battle, nor the defeat of one side or the victory of the other," he said in an interview with Spain's Cadena Ser radio.
"We are celebrating our history and the 300 years of our history with the United Kingdom."
Royal Navy honored
Hoon did not join in the human chain but did attend a session of Gibraltar's House of Assembly, or parliament, which passed a motion conferring the "freedom of the city," the colony's highest honor, on Britain's Royal Navy which has long defended the territory.
Some 300 Navy personnel will exercise that right by marching through the town, with fixed bayonets, on Wednesday evening.
The parliament passed a second motion, pledging to resist any negotiations "against the wishes of the people of Gibraltar, for the transfer to Spain of any part of the sovereignty of Gibraltar."
Hoon in Gibraltar Tuesday with his wife and an unidentified senior Royal Navy officer.
Michael Ancram, foreign affairs spokesman for Britain's Conservative Party, told BBC Radio: "This is a very important moment in Gibraltar's history -- 300 years of being British, which is rather longer than it was ever Spanish."
"It's absolutely right that we now celebrate with them those 300 years and once again reiterate that they will remain British so long as that is their wish," he said.
Spain has long demanded the return of the strategic strip of land.
London and Madrid came close to a deal on joint sovereignty in 2002, but it collapsed following an unofficial referendum showing 99 percent of Gibraltarians were opposed to the change.
Envoy summoned
Tensions flared last week when Britain announced Hoon would visit the tiny territory.
Madrid summoned the British ambassador to protest but Hoon went ahead with the visit which began Monday.
A visit last month by Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth's daughter, also sparked outrage in the Spanish media and prompted PM Zapatero's government to complain to the British ambassador.
Zapatero, elected in March, has described a visit by British nuclear submarine HMS Tireless last month as the incident which most displeased him during his first 100 days in office.
In London, Britain's minister for Europe Denis MacShane met Spain's new ambassador and discussed topics including Gibraltar.
A Foreign Office spokesman told Reuters the talks were "relaxed and friendly" and the two agreed, informally, on the need to discuss issues, including Gibraltar, in a calm and quiet manner.
#6
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Posted 29 August 2004 - 11:05 PM
http://www.dup.org.u...?Article_ID=781
WELL DONE GIBRALTAR!
East Belfast DUP Assembly Member, Robin Newton, has today said that the people of Gibraltar should be congratulated for their conviction and confidence down through the years to remain British. Robin Newton said,
“As the people of Gibraltar celebrate their tercentenary and rejoice in their British identity, they will be admired and supported by many thousands from the unionist community in Northern Ireland.
In the face of much intimidation from hostile Spanish Governments, this small, isolated community have stood firm and resolute in the belief they are not Spanish and have no desire to be a part of Spain.
Even under great pressure from recent UK Governments, they have expressed their will at the ballot box and refused to bend the knee and sell out on their British heritage. Their resolve to remain British is as solid as the rock upon which they live and they are to be admired for their tenacity.”
WELL DONE GIBRALTAR!
East Belfast DUP Assembly Member, Robin Newton, has today said that the people of Gibraltar should be congratulated for their conviction and confidence down through the years to remain British. Robin Newton said,
“As the people of Gibraltar celebrate their tercentenary and rejoice in their British identity, they will be admired and supported by many thousands from the unionist community in Northern Ireland.
In the face of much intimidation from hostile Spanish Governments, this small, isolated community have stood firm and resolute in the belief they are not Spanish and have no desire to be a part of Spain.
Even under great pressure from recent UK Governments, they have expressed their will at the ballot box and refused to bend the knee and sell out on their British heritage. Their resolve to remain British is as solid as the rock upon which they live and they are to be admired for their tenacity.”
#7
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- Posts: 4,048
- Joined: 23-June 03
Posted 29 August 2004 - 11:06 PM
Gibraltar defends celebrations
Gibraltar's chief minister has defended the territory's celebrations
to mark 300 years of British rule, telling the Spanish it is "none of
their business". Events to mark August 4, 1704 include the formation
of a "human chain" around the island, the granting of the freedom of
the city of Gibraltar to the Royal Navy, and street parties. Peter
Caruana told the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: "We are not celebrating
the sort of military battles fought and won by British forces in
1704, we're celebrating the 300th anniversary of British sovereignty
and our relationship with Britain, which has been mutually beneficial
and which has given us everything that we have and which we value.
Gibraltar's chief minister has defended the territory's celebrations
to mark 300 years of British rule, telling the Spanish it is "none of
their business". Events to mark August 4, 1704 include the formation
of a "human chain" around the island, the granting of the freedom of
the city of Gibraltar to the Royal Navy, and street parties. Peter
Caruana told the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: "We are not celebrating
the sort of military battles fought and won by British forces in
1704, we're celebrating the 300th anniversary of British sovereignty
and our relationship with Britain, which has been mutually beneficial
and which has given us everything that we have and which we value.
#8
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- Posts: 4,048
- Joined: 23-June 03
Posted 29 August 2004 - 11:06 PM
http://www.belfastte...sp?story=540932
Mayor will observe sabbath in Gibraltar
By Staff Reporter
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
14 July 2004
The DUP Mayor of Ballymena has said that he will not be taking part in events on a Sunday when he attends a conference in Gibraltar later this year.
Hubert Nicholl said he will be part of the Confederation of European Councillors' Annual Conference and will be active from Thursday, October 14, to Saturday, October 16, but will skip Sunday, October 17.
The DUP group leader on Ballymena Council, Roy Gillespie, said he knew the mayor would not be attending on the Sunday, but he wished to formally be recorded in the council records as laying down a marker on the Sabbath issue.
Meanwhile, Mr Nicholl said it was his intention to use his time in Gibraltar to renew links between Ballymena and 'The Rock'.
During the Second World War a substantial number of Gibraltarians were evacuated as the Germans advanced across Europe.
'Gib' camps were set up in the foothills of Slemish Mountain.
A block of flats in Gibraltar is named 'Ballymena House' to celebrate the links.
Mayor will observe sabbath in Gibraltar
By Staff Reporter
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
14 July 2004
The DUP Mayor of Ballymena has said that he will not be taking part in events on a Sunday when he attends a conference in Gibraltar later this year.
Hubert Nicholl said he will be part of the Confederation of European Councillors' Annual Conference and will be active from Thursday, October 14, to Saturday, October 16, but will skip Sunday, October 17.
The DUP group leader on Ballymena Council, Roy Gillespie, said he knew the mayor would not be attending on the Sunday, but he wished to formally be recorded in the council records as laying down a marker on the Sabbath issue.
Meanwhile, Mr Nicholl said it was his intention to use his time in Gibraltar to renew links between Ballymena and 'The Rock'.
During the Second World War a substantial number of Gibraltarians were evacuated as the Germans advanced across Europe.
'Gib' camps were set up in the foothills of Slemish Mountain.
A block of flats in Gibraltar is named 'Ballymena House' to celebrate the links.
#9
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- Joined: 23-June 03
Posted 29 August 2004 - 11:07 PM
Gibraltar News.
Headlines:
Princess Anne arrives in Gibraltar; Spain lodges formal complaint;
Cruise issue: UK seeks permanent solution; Spain continues military
blockade; Financial journalists invited to the Rock.
Princess Anne arrives in Gibraltar
Her Royal Highness Princess Anne arrived this Monday in Gibraltar for
a visit that will extend until June 30.
Princess Anne is scheduled to attend a number of events including
visits to the new Sports Hall, Casemates Square, John Mackintosh
Square, The Mount, HQBF, the Garrison Library, the Upper Rock, St
Andrew's Church and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Gibraltar is celebrating this year its tercentenary.
Responding to Spanish media reports portraying the visit by the
Princess Royal as `the first Royal visit to Gibraltar since the
Queen's visit over fifty years ago', the local government said that
there have been eight Royal visits to Gibraltar in the last eleven
years.
The visits are as follows: Duke of York, Prince Andrew (October 1993
and July 1995): the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip (May 1996): the
Duke of Kent (July 1998): the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and
Princess Alexandra (October 1999): the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward
(August 2001).
Spain lodges formal complaint.
Spain lodged a formal complaint to Britain over the visit by the
Princess Royal and Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos voiced his
"displeasure". But Chief Minister Peter Caruana urged Gibraltarians to
give Princess Anne "an enthusiastic warm and loyal welcome to
Gibraltar during this our Tercentenary celebrations."
"The formal complaint by the Spanish Government to HRH the Princess
Royal's visit to Gibraltar on Monday is incomprehensible Gibraltar is
British Sovereign Territory and a part of Her Majesty's Realms.
According to Spain the Treaty of Utrecht remains valid and under the
Treaty the effect of which they not only claim to recognize, but
indeed rely on at the United Nations, Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain
in perpetuity. There is therefore no rationale or credible basis for
Spain's objection," he said.
The remarks by Spain come in a period of increased delays at
Gibraltar's frontier.
Over the weekend the Spanish Foreign Ministry announced that Mr.
Moratinos had called in the British Ambassador Stephen Wright to
communicate the Spanish Government's unhappiness at the visit.
The statement reads:
"The Spanish Government wishes to reiterate its displeasure and
opposition to the programme of commemorative events in Gibraltar and
Britain on the tercentenary of the occupation of Gibraltar which are
inopportune and which injure the sensibilities of the Spanish people."
"In this context the Spanish Government also considers inopportune the
planned visit by HRH Princess Anne of England. Although the British
Government has stated that there is no direct relationship between
this visit and the occupation of Gibraltar, there is undoubtedly a
link at least in the timing."
The statement goes on to say that, in all events, the Spanish Foreign
Minister, "has conveyed to the British Ambassador the respect and
affection of the Spanish Government and the Spanish people for Her
Royal Highness Princess Anne of England."
A Gibraltar government spokesman said that the Gibraltar Government
"deeply regrets that the Spanish Government should think that our
commemoration of 300 years of our history of our links of Britain and
of our British sovereignty is offensive to the Spanish people."
"The Gibraltar Government similarly regrets that, whilst professing
`respect and affection' for HRH The Princess Royal, the Spanish
Government should nevertheless seek to embarrass her by embroiling her
visit in unnecessary controversy."
Cruise issue: UK seeks permanent solution.
Britain continues to seek a permanent solution to the cruise ship
issue Foreign Office Minister Denis MacShane told the House of
Commons, and although there have been no incidents over the last
month, the British Government regard Spanish interference with
cruise-liner traffic en route from Gibraltar to Spain as "unacceptable
and illegal".
"To this end our Permanent Representation to the European Union has
asked the Commission to investigate. We understand that the Commission
has since taken this issue up with Spain.
In addition, officials from the UK Permanent Representation in
Brussels have been in close and frequent contact with officials from
EU Competition Director General in recent weeks, regarding the
compatibility of Gibraltar's proposed corporate tax reforms with EC
rules on State Aid. The Government of Gibraltar has played a full part
in these discussions," he said.
Spanish press reports said that the European Commission has written to
the Spanish authorities seeking an explanation for the action taken
against cruise liners stopping at Gibraltar. It had indicated that it
will consider infraction proceedings against Spain if it decides that
an investigation is necessary. The Spanish Foreign Ministry has in
turn said that the decisions on vessel entries are the responsibility
of Spain's merchant navy department the Direcion General de Marina
Mercante.
Spain continues military blockade.
Any request to over-fly Spanish airspace by military aircraft from
NATO (or other) nations, which has Gibraltar as a departure or arrival
airfield, is routinely denied by the Spanish authorities.
This was confirmed in the Commons this week by Adam Ingram, Defence
Minster of State. He said that NATO Standardization Agreement,
(STANAG) 1100, sets out the procedures for visits to NATO and non-NATO
ports by naval ships of NATO nations. This Agreement contains a
reservation, inserted by the previous Spanish Government, which
prevents visits by NATO ships to or from Gibraltar directly from or to
Spanish ports.
Lindsay Hoyle MP had asked if Royal Navy ships that call at Gibraltar
may then call at Spain and if Royal Navy ships that call at Spain may
then call at Gibraltar; and whether Royal Navy aircraft may fly over
Spain and land at Royal Air Force base Gibraltar.
Financial journalists invited to the Rock.
A group of eleven UK-based financial journalists visited Gibraltar
last week at the invitation of the Government. This now regular event
consisted of presentations by the Government, regulator and private
sector and other events, culminating in a press briefing by the Chief
Minister at No. 6 Convent Place.
A reception was held for the journalists attended by representatives
from the Finance Centre Department, the Financial Services Commission
and the Finance Centre Council.
FREEUK is a forum for news and debate on the current state of the UK and increasingly un-free "free" world.
Headlines:
Princess Anne arrives in Gibraltar; Spain lodges formal complaint;
Cruise issue: UK seeks permanent solution; Spain continues military
blockade; Financial journalists invited to the Rock.
Princess Anne arrives in Gibraltar
Her Royal Highness Princess Anne arrived this Monday in Gibraltar for
a visit that will extend until June 30.
Princess Anne is scheduled to attend a number of events including
visits to the new Sports Hall, Casemates Square, John Mackintosh
Square, The Mount, HQBF, the Garrison Library, the Upper Rock, St
Andrew's Church and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Gibraltar is celebrating this year its tercentenary.
Responding to Spanish media reports portraying the visit by the
Princess Royal as `the first Royal visit to Gibraltar since the
Queen's visit over fifty years ago', the local government said that
there have been eight Royal visits to Gibraltar in the last eleven
years.
The visits are as follows: Duke of York, Prince Andrew (October 1993
and July 1995): the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip (May 1996): the
Duke of Kent (July 1998): the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and
Princess Alexandra (October 1999): the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward
(August 2001).
Spain lodges formal complaint.
Spain lodged a formal complaint to Britain over the visit by the
Princess Royal and Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos voiced his
"displeasure". But Chief Minister Peter Caruana urged Gibraltarians to
give Princess Anne "an enthusiastic warm and loyal welcome to
Gibraltar during this our Tercentenary celebrations."
"The formal complaint by the Spanish Government to HRH the Princess
Royal's visit to Gibraltar on Monday is incomprehensible Gibraltar is
British Sovereign Territory and a part of Her Majesty's Realms.
According to Spain the Treaty of Utrecht remains valid and under the
Treaty the effect of which they not only claim to recognize, but
indeed rely on at the United Nations, Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain
in perpetuity. There is therefore no rationale or credible basis for
Spain's objection," he said.
The remarks by Spain come in a period of increased delays at
Gibraltar's frontier.
Over the weekend the Spanish Foreign Ministry announced that Mr.
Moratinos had called in the British Ambassador Stephen Wright to
communicate the Spanish Government's unhappiness at the visit.
The statement reads:
"The Spanish Government wishes to reiterate its displeasure and
opposition to the programme of commemorative events in Gibraltar and
Britain on the tercentenary of the occupation of Gibraltar which are
inopportune and which injure the sensibilities of the Spanish people."
"In this context the Spanish Government also considers inopportune the
planned visit by HRH Princess Anne of England. Although the British
Government has stated that there is no direct relationship between
this visit and the occupation of Gibraltar, there is undoubtedly a
link at least in the timing."
The statement goes on to say that, in all events, the Spanish Foreign
Minister, "has conveyed to the British Ambassador the respect and
affection of the Spanish Government and the Spanish people for Her
Royal Highness Princess Anne of England."
A Gibraltar government spokesman said that the Gibraltar Government
"deeply regrets that the Spanish Government should think that our
commemoration of 300 years of our history of our links of Britain and
of our British sovereignty is offensive to the Spanish people."
"The Gibraltar Government similarly regrets that, whilst professing
`respect and affection' for HRH The Princess Royal, the Spanish
Government should nevertheless seek to embarrass her by embroiling her
visit in unnecessary controversy."
Cruise issue: UK seeks permanent solution.
Britain continues to seek a permanent solution to the cruise ship
issue Foreign Office Minister Denis MacShane told the House of
Commons, and although there have been no incidents over the last
month, the British Government regard Spanish interference with
cruise-liner traffic en route from Gibraltar to Spain as "unacceptable
and illegal".
"To this end our Permanent Representation to the European Union has
asked the Commission to investigate. We understand that the Commission
has since taken this issue up with Spain.
In addition, officials from the UK Permanent Representation in
Brussels have been in close and frequent contact with officials from
EU Competition Director General in recent weeks, regarding the
compatibility of Gibraltar's proposed corporate tax reforms with EC
rules on State Aid. The Government of Gibraltar has played a full part
in these discussions," he said.
Spanish press reports said that the European Commission has written to
the Spanish authorities seeking an explanation for the action taken
against cruise liners stopping at Gibraltar. It had indicated that it
will consider infraction proceedings against Spain if it decides that
an investigation is necessary. The Spanish Foreign Ministry has in
turn said that the decisions on vessel entries are the responsibility
of Spain's merchant navy department the Direcion General de Marina
Mercante.
Spain continues military blockade.
Any request to over-fly Spanish airspace by military aircraft from
NATO (or other) nations, which has Gibraltar as a departure or arrival
airfield, is routinely denied by the Spanish authorities.
This was confirmed in the Commons this week by Adam Ingram, Defence
Minster of State. He said that NATO Standardization Agreement,
(STANAG) 1100, sets out the procedures for visits to NATO and non-NATO
ports by naval ships of NATO nations. This Agreement contains a
reservation, inserted by the previous Spanish Government, which
prevents visits by NATO ships to or from Gibraltar directly from or to
Spanish ports.
Lindsay Hoyle MP had asked if Royal Navy ships that call at Gibraltar
may then call at Spain and if Royal Navy ships that call at Spain may
then call at Gibraltar; and whether Royal Navy aircraft may fly over
Spain and land at Royal Air Force base Gibraltar.
Financial journalists invited to the Rock.
A group of eleven UK-based financial journalists visited Gibraltar
last week at the invitation of the Government. This now regular event
consisted of presentations by the Government, regulator and private
sector and other events, culminating in a press briefing by the Chief
Minister at No. 6 Convent Place.
A reception was held for the journalists attended by representatives
from the Finance Centre Department, the Financial Services Commission
and the Finance Centre Council.
FREEUK is a forum for news and debate on the current state of the UK and increasingly un-free "free" world.
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