|
|||||||||||
An oil leak from a ship anchored off Gibraltar has extended over a 2-square kilometre area. It happened on Friday night when the vessel 'Kent Reliant' was being pumped with fuel oil. PANORAMA to publish major public opinion poll next week With the local political barometer at a 'high', the publication by PANORAMA next week of a major public opinion poll could not be more timely. Panorama pioneered public opinion polls in Gibraltar 25 years ago, and since then, they have gained enormous credibility, given that they have shown remarkable accuracy in determining Gibraltar public opinion. Panorama polls have in fact accurately forecast the result of all elections over a quarter of a century, and also provided accurate reflection on other trends and events. Using the same successful methods, the next poll to be published on Tuesday will be eagerly awaited. The poll will determine the state of the political parties and what inroads, if any, new political groupings stand to make. Questions are also asked if Gibraltar should remain Gibraltarian/British or if it should become Spanish. Are the Gibraltarians the only ones entitled to decide the future of Gibraltar? That is another question. What about the 1987 airport deal - is there any movement on that controversial issue or does Gibraltar remain decidedly against it? Apart from their impact in Gibraltar, Panorama polls have in the past been aired in the British parliament, have been considered by the British and Spanish governments and have been given exposure in media and other circles abroad.(24.08.01) Spain insists on telephone lines offer The Spanish foreign minister Josep Pique is insisting that Spain will offer additional telephone lines to Gibraltar, even though the Gibraltar government has rejected the offer on the grounds that Spain is not addressing the real issue with Spain on telephones, which is Madrid's non-recognition of the Gibraltar 350 code. Mr Pique says the present 30,000 lines will be 'duplicated or triplicated', to meet the requests of the Gibraltar authorities. Spain, however, would not want the extra lines to be used to create unfair competition with Spanish telephone systems. However, he did not see frontier delays disappearing, saying that the controls are necessary because Gibraltar is not part of the EU customs union. In an interview with the Spanish newsagency Europa Press, he attached much importance to the reopening of ministerial talks with his UK counterpart Jack Straw. He hoped their meeting in October will have a packed agenda to develop concrete issues. While Spain is never going to give up its claim to Gibraltar, Mr Pique said this would be incorporated in a 'programme of advances' as allowed by the Brussels Agreement. For Spain, he added, it is very important to count on a clear will by the Blair government in Britain to advance on the sovereignty question. He did not see a quick solution to a problem that is 300 years old. He spoke of making the will of the Gibraltarians compatible with Spain aims, as this would increase the pace of the process. Both Britain and Spain wanted a solution to the Single European Sky impasse, for strategic and economic reasons, he said. (24.08.01) Government plans 'radical reform of company tax' The Gibraltar government plans "a radical reform of company tax", if it loses its court action against the European Union, a Government spokesman told PANORAMA. The Government would "immediately rush through a radical reform of company tax to minimise as far as possible the immediate disruption to the finance centre and save as much of it as possible and the jobs that it provides." According to official sources, the finance centre provides 2,300 direct jobs and hundreds of indirect jobs in support services. A statement from the chief minister's office said that the tax exempt and qualifying companies "are the fundamental, basic and principal products upon which the whole finance centre is built." If the government loses the interim court actions next month, it will be necessary to immediately suspend the legislation providing the exempt and qualifying company regimes. A government spokesman said that it should be remembered that such company status is not enjoyed just by non-resident clients but also is the basis upon which Cammell Laird, the gaming companies, banks, insurance companies and others are established in Gibraltar. With the impending crisis causing widespread concern in the finance centre, the Gibraltar government has again asked Britain to itself challenge the Commission's decision to investigate the exempt companies here on the grounds that they could be in breach of EU law. It has emerged that the chief minister Peter Caruana has today written to the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw repeating that request and explaining the importance to Gibraltar of doing so. Meanwhile, the Government has criticised the leader of the opposition Joe Bossano for minimising the impact the EU 'state aid' challenge would have on the Gibraltar economy. Said Mr Caruana: Mr Bossano's reaction is typical of him and extremely disappointing. I appreciate that oppsitions have a job to do but it seems that for Mr Bossano no issue is important or serious enough to Gibraltar's interests to inspire him to show solidarity with the government. Mr Bossano's analysis of the extent of the threat and its consequences are not consistent with what he must have learnt during his 8 years as chief minister. Mr Caruana adds: He has even seen fit to question the concept that the companies ability to operate would be suspended in advance of the investigation's conclusion. He is completely wrong. Of course he is not a lawyer but this does not explain why he rushes to make false public statements before taking advice or establishing the position from people who know.(23.08.01)
Real threat to Gibraltar economy, says finance centre council The Gibraltar finance centre council has been shaken by what they term as "real and substantive threats" to Gibraltar's economy, following the EU stance on the tax exempt company which is the core activity of Gibraltar's financial services. The European Union has decided on investigating the activities of such operations on the grounds that they are deemed to be in breach of EU principles. After meetings in London, the Gibraltar government failed to get the British government to challenge the EU initiative. For EU matters, the UK is the member state that speaks for Gibraltar. The result of this failure is that the Gibraltar government itself has decided to initiate legal action against the EU Commission. The exempt company legislation grants tax exemption to companies that are established in Gibraltar but operate outside Gibraltar. The Gibraltar court action alleges that the Commission's decisions are wrong in law, infringe Gibraltar's rights to a defence and are contrary to EU legal principles of proportionality, legal certainty and legitimate expectations. The Gibraltar opposition, for its part, says that "the impression being given is that the UK agrees with the Commission and not with the Gibraltar government." At this late stage, the finance centre council is calling on the Gibraltar government "to take all necessary action to protect this very significant and important part of the Gibraltar economy." They want the government "to move faster" on reforms to the tax structure "and would need to look at issues such as zero rating tax vehicles and reforms to personal taxation." There is a general feeling that everything has been left too late. Now, if the EU is proved right, the pillar holding up financial services in Gibraltar would begin to crumble. (23.08.01) Postal delays: Don't blame us, say postmen Households in Gibraltar are now receiving their telephone, water and electricity bills for the months of June and July. But postmen say they are not to blame for this delay. Their union, ACTS, say: We want to clarify the misconception that the general public have of always blaming postmen/women for these delays. "Our members informed management of their duty to inform all tenants of the reasons behind the delays in the delivery of these demand notes. This has not been forthcoming." It is for that reason that, they say, "we have been obliged to issue this statement through the union." (23.08.01) Luckier with Rock horse than his 'rock' players Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is being more successful with his horse The Rock of Gibraltar than with some of his 'rock' players. " The lameness of Stam and Neville's displays against Liverpool and Fulham had stung Sir Alex Ferguson into action. Hours after his horse, Rock of Gibraltar, had won the Gimcrack Stakes at York, he cast out two of the rocks on which he had built his defence for the past three seasons. Improvement was hard to detect," said The Independent. His football team, with many followers on the real Rock of Gibraltar, has not been showing championship class. Some of the more ardent local fans will want to tender rock-solid advice to Ferguson! (23.08.01)
Six Gibraltarians in Italian holiday drama Six Gibraltarians on holiday in Italy were injured when the ferry they were travelling in and another vessel collided off the island of Capri. Two of them, Maruja Llambias and Magdalena Torrilla, were detained in hospital. The injuries to the other four, John Llambias, Adolfo and Mercedes Torrilla, and Mario Torrilla, were minor. They are three elderly married couples.They were on a Grand Tour of Italy and were on an excursion. They were on a catamaran-type ferry when the accident happened. News of the accident spread in Gibraltar yesterday, from family and friends. Some people say they heard about it on satellite news. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals. The two vessels involved in the collision were extensively damaged. The other vessel is said to have sank.(22.08.01) Three-day visit by Prince Edward to Gibraltar Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, will be visiting Gibraltar for three days at the end of this month. His Royal Highness will formally open the 3rd European and Mediterranean Regional Conference of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. The prince arrives on 30 August, and after an informal lunch, will visit the site for the scheme's headquarters, taking part in a short unveiling ceremony. The conference opens the next day. A press conference will also be held at the Convent, the residence of the British governor. Questions will be restricted to the work of the award scheme. On the Saturday there will be a civic reception hosted by the mayor. GOLD RESIDENTIAL A spokesman for the scheme said today that they will be hosting a 'gold' residential, commencing on Sunday next for a week. Thirty two young people, aged between 18 and 25, are coming to Gibraltar and will undertake conservation projects at Flat Bastion, Trafalgar Cemetery etc. In the afternoons they will be able to participate in canoeing, caving and abseiling. (22.08.01) FINANCE CENTRE CRISIS: Does UK disagree with Gibraltar Government? Questions are being asked about the unexpected Gibraltar government decision to take the EU Commission to court over plans to investigate the 'tax exempt company', the core of financial services activities here. "It is imperative that the government clarifies, now, where the UK government stands on this issue - does it agree with the Commission or does it agree with the Gibraltar government?," says an opposition statement. The government said last night that it has decided to challenge a decision by the EU Commission to open formal investigations as to whether Gibraltar is in breach of EU state aid regulations. The investigation was announced as being carried out in respect of the UK, the member state. On July 20, nine days after the Commission's decision, the chief minister Mr Caruana led a delegation to the UK to discuss the issue, "but failed to give any explanations on his return on the outcome of his visit," the opposition recall. They add: The impression given is that the UK agrees with the Commission and not with the Gibraltar government. This raises serious political issues in respect of the UK's responsibility for Gibraltar in the EU, which Mr Caruana has in the past defended on the basis that as the Member State responsible for Gibraltar, the last word rests with the UK on such issues. Now, the alarmist tone of the effects on the economy, are a repetition of what was said four years ago, when Mr Caruana was saying that the loss of exempt companies would bring about the overnight closure of the finance centre in Gibraltar. Since then, the opposition goes on, "we have been told that the finance centre was being 'repositioned', so that it would be able to continue to function, but this has still to materialise." The opposition says it will be studying the implications of the steps announced by the government. "However it is imperative that the government clarifies, now, where the UK government stands on this issue - does it agree with the Commission or does it agree with the Gibraltar government?" (21.08.01) Ladbrokes cuts its Gibraltar operation by half British betting company Ladbokes have cut by half their Gibraltar operation, with relocation to the UK . It follows the betting tax move announced by the UK chancellor earlier this year. Ladbrokes says that 29 staff are affected. They also state that "the remaining international telephone betting business based in Gibraltar will relocate to the UK by the end of November this year." It follows assurances given months earlier by the local manager Ed Ware which gave the impression that Gibraltar would not be affected. However, the company announced last April that the call centre business would be repatriated to the UK. Weeks before, Ware had spoken of 'business as usual." Ladbrokes now say that they expect to continue to operate LadrokesCasino.com, PlayboySportsbook.com and the still to be launched PlayboyCasino.com. (21.08.01)
The threat of strike action in the Nature reserve has disappeared, with the Government agreeing to meet the grievances of information officers. The staff had decided to take strike action as from today if they were not treated like other employees of the Gibraltar Development Corporation. The union said that they had been waiting for a couple of years , but that this was now long overdue and strike action was the way forward. However, at the last minute, the government agreed to meet their grievances. (21.08.01) Gibraltar government takes European Commission to court: Future of finance centre at stake The Gibraltar government has initiated legal action against the European Commission over threats that could ruin its finance centre. The court initiative seeks" to overturn the decisions made by the European Commission challenging the legality of Gibraltar's exempt and qualifying company legislation under European Union 'state aid' rules," said a statement from the chief minister's office Monday. The essence of the exempt company legislation is that it grants tax exemption to companies established in Gibraltar but that do business outside of Gibraltar. The 'tax exempt company' continue to be the principal products and basis of the Gibraltar finance centre, says the statement. Last month, the European Commission decided to open formal investigations to establish whether the relevant Gibraltar laws are in breach of the 'state aid' rules of the European Union. "The tax exempt company and the qualifying status company are pillars of the finance centre and therefore of our economy," said the chief minister Peter Caruana. "The finance centre employs thousands of people directly and indirectty and is therefore of crucial importance to Gibraltar's economy. The EU Commission's decision represents a very serious challenge for our economy." The Gibraltar government's court actions allege that the Commission's decisions are wrong in law, infringe Gibraltar's rights to a defence and are contrary to the EU legal principles of proportionality, legal certainty and legitimate expectations, says a Government statement. The Government here add that the Commission has not provided adequate reasons for its decisions, and is also in breach of EU law. The statement goes on to say that "it is essential to leave no stone unturned in challenging these decisions, given their severe consequences for our economy, to the jobs of many hundreds of Gibraltarians and to Government revenue, and therefore to our collective standard of living as a community," (20.08.01) The Gibraltar fair starts this coming Saturday, and all the final details are being put in place. It is being organised by the social affairs department. "The activities are geared towards providing an improved service to the general public," said minister Yvette del Agua. There is a family pavilion and the usual stalls and rides. Improved toilet facilities and a bigger car parking area at the naval ground are being provided. The youth service will be responsible for the youth pavilion, which will be open for nine days. It will primarily provide entertainment for young people. Full time and part time youth workers will run the pavilion. Young people from Plater, Youth Centre, Laguna and Dolphins youth clubs, as well as voluntary leaders from Taekwando and Gym training clubs will also be helping out. For the first time this year Leif Motif, Danza del Sur, MedDance and Splits team up to run a variety show on one of the nights. A first this year too will be for the guides association, the disability society and the amateur basketball association - they will all be running their own events on different nights. (20.08.01) Cruise liner calls at Spanish port after visiting Gibraltar A cruise liner was today calling at a Spanish port after visiting Gibraltar. What may seem a commonplace occurrence elsewhere, this is not exactly so when it comes to Spanish relations to Gibraltar, which has prohibited calls by ships which sail to or from Gibraltar. The cruise liner 'Ausonia' was due in the Spanish port of Cartagena, said Spanish media sources, staying there from 10am to 6pm. It will then sail on to Palma de Mallorca. The liner carries 492 passengers and 280 crew. It is the second time it has visited Cartagena this year, and is due to visit again next month. (20.08.01) Information officers working in the Nature reserve on the upper Rock are threatening with taking strike action as from Tuesday, unless their grievances are met. Those concerned want equal conditions to other employees of the Gibraltar Development Corporation. They claim to have been negotiating for a couple of years, but to no avail. However, if nothing is forthcoming, they will go ahead with their strike threat. There was recently another threat of industrial action, on that occasion from port workers over their being on 'acting' duties for several years. Their action would have paralysed the port, but it appears there was an attempt at finding solutions at the last moment. (20.08.01) Rock Hotel loan must be repaid, says opposition Bland director James Gaggero is alleged to have said on television that if the project for the development of a nine acre plot of land around the Rock Hotel is accepted by Government, the funds this will generate will allow the repayment of a £1.5 million loan granted to the Rock hotel by the GSD government for three years. "Gibraltar" bank used in major defence scandal, claims report The Pakistan News Service is circulating a report that alleges that a Gibraltar bank
was used in a major defence scandal. The bank named is not known in Gibraltar. (17.08.01) GBC admit they cannot make ends meet The new board at the Gibraltar broadcasting corporation say they cannot make ends meet. The fundamental financial problem remains and they cannot foresee meeting the level of commercial advvertising required. GBC make substantial losses every year, currently in excess of £1 million, which is met by the public out of direct Government subsidies and Tv licence fees. In 1999 GBC television was relaunched. "However, by the time the new Board was appointed it was clear that the commercial targets were not being met," says a statement from the Board. They add: Already significant financial shortfalls had been generated and the new Board and Management faced, and continue to face, the difficult challenge of containing the financial situation while preserving the service. The level of advertising and commercial revenue budgeted at the time of the relaunch has not been achieved, they say. It is unlikely that we will be able to achieve that level of commercial income in the short to medium term given local market constraints. The new Board have also have to tackle a backlog in the preparation of the statutory accounts of the corporation, which has now been cleared. They describe their role in life as providing local news, community affairs and entertainment programmes. They consider themselves to be a "public service broadcaster", when in fact what they offer any commercial station would likewise offer. However, their reference to public service broadcasting is followed by the admission that in a small community, it is not commercially viable "and needs to be funded primarily by a combination of realistic licence fees and Government subvention." Thus, what they want is more public money - for less hours of broadcasting than at the relaunch! (17.08.01)
|
|
|||||
