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Britain not against Gibraltar talks with Spain
The British minister for Europe, Denis Macshane, has not ruled out further sovereignty talks with the Spanish government, although he stressed that there would be no final agreement without the support of the people of Gibraltar.
Macshane ended on Friday a one-day official visit to Gibraltar where he met political and other leaders.
The chief minister Peter Caruana told reporters that disagreement with Britain would arise if London continued to uphold the concept of sharing sovereignty with Spain, which is the state in which Anglo-Spanish talks over Gibraltar remain since last year. In such circumstances, he added, Gibraltar would have to defend its political rights.
Macshane told journalists at the end of his visit that the Spanish goverment understood that there could be no changes to Gibraltar's sovereignty against the wishes of the people of Gibraltar. Spain lost Gibraltar 300 years ago, but claim its sovereignty.
However, if Madrid wanted to engage in talks, the British government would agree. "We want talks to succeed," said Macshane.
It emerged that in 90-minutes of talks, Macshane and Caruana had discussed a wide range of issues including the possibility of the Gibraltar leader attending Anglo-Spanish talks. Caruana has refused to attend such bilateral talks betwen Britain and Spain, unless he is given equal status to Britain and Spain. He is against decisions being taken over his head.
Opposition leader Joe Bossano asked Macshane not to proceed with talks on sovereignty, while the Liberal party leader Joseph Garcia asked Macshane to "scrap sovereignty talks."
Earlier, in a walk-about by Macshane in the main street, groups of people shouted 'British we are, British we stay'. There were also shouts of 'traitor' directed at the visiting British minister.
Banners and placards urged that Gibraltar remain British. "Stop the sellout", said a placard.
It is the first visit to Gibraltar by a British minister since the foreign secretary Jack Straw visited Gibraltar a year ago when he, too, was called a 'traitor' by protestors.
MacShane wants ‘joint
plan’ with Caruana
After a change in plans last night, when he arrived in a private jet and not on the scheduled flight as stated earlier, Europe minister Denis MacShane gets cracking on his tight agenda early today to unfold his ideas on a 'joint plan' with the Gibraltar government.
He will be spending ninety minutes with the chief minister Peter Caruana. "Dr MacShane's trip to the Rock underlines his wish to work in partnership with the Government and people of Gibraltar over issues affecting the territory," said a statement issued through the Convent, where the visiting minister was early this morning.
The idea of being seen doing things jointly emerged even before the minister had arrived. Initially, it was officially announced by No.6 Convent Place that the chief minister alone would be unveiling a plaque about General Sikorski.
About the same anniversary, The Convent said that Dr MacShane would separately go by sea to the spot of the plane crash to lay a wreath. Yesterday afternoon, The Convent said that Mr Caruana would be accompanying Dr MacShane.
And Dr MacShane would equally be attending Mr Caruana's own ceremony!
This followed a strongly-worded joint communique from the SDGG and VOGG, which claimed that Dr MacShane's prime interest in visiting Gibraltar was the 60th anniversary of Sikorski's death, given the minister's Polish ancestry.
It is also expected that Mr Caruana will join Dr MacShane in the Main street walk-about scheduled for around high noon, after the boat trip which sets off at 11.30am.
There are also great expectations that Mr caruana will join the Europe minister at the latter's press conference at The Convent at 5.20pm.
HAIN PAIN
Political sources recall that when the previous Europe minister, Peter Hain, visited Gibraltar at the start of the Brussels negotiations, Mr Caruana posed with him at a standing-up press conference in The Convent.
Such events are planned to show 'togetherness' and to influence the public that the foreign Office and Gibraltar are the best of friends.
After the Hain visit, it transpired that the Foreign Office was deep into working out a deal on joint sovereignty with Spain, contraty to the known wishes of Gibraltar.
The statement on July 12 by foreign secretary Jack Straw, which Dr MacShane has upheld in parliament, speaks of broad Anglo-Spanish agreement on sharing Gibraltar's sovereignty.
TRAP
It is possible that Mr Caruana could fall into the same trap as happened during the Hain visit.
If Mr Caruana had problems in attending Anglo-Spanish talks prior to the agreement in principle on sharing sovereignty, matters will have complicated themselves since July 12. Because what is now on the negotiating table is precisely what the Gibraltar government says it does not want and what 99% of Gibraltar voted against in the November referendum.
Despite such obvious difficulties, the UK would like to have Mr Caruana at talks because they know that without a Gibraltarian presence the talks would stand no chance of making headway.
The Foreign Office are experts at finding different options and painting them over with the kind of gloss that gives the impression that suits their aims.
Dr MacShane has acknowledged that there cannot be a deal on sovereignty unless it is agreed by Gibraltar, but he has not formally withdrawn the July 12 statement by Straw. In fact, he - and Mr Straw himself - have said the opposite.
It is against this backcloth that Dr MacShane is meeting local leaders, which also includes the leader of the opposition Joe Bossano followed by a separate meeting with Dr Joseph Garcia.
Text of Convent statement
Dr Denis MacShane will visit Gibraltar on 3-4 July. This will be the Minister’s first official visit to the Rock. While in Gibraltar the Minister, accompanied by the Chief Minister, will lay a wreath at sea on the site of the crash of General Sikorski, whose aeroplane crashed on takeoff from Gibraltar in 1943. The Minister’s father served under General Sikorski. He has also been invited by the Chief Minister to attend a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the General’s death.
Dr MacShane looks forward to further discussions with the Chief Minister and to the opportunity to talk directly with a wide range of Gibraltarians during his visit. Dr MacShane’s trip to the Rock underlines his wish to work in partnership with the Government and people of Gibraltar over issues affecting the Territory.
Minister's refusal to meet SDGG and VOGG "gives the lie to his call for dialogue"
The SDGG and the Voice of Gibraltar Group have asked for a meeting with the Minister for Europe and have been denied this.
The Groups say they wish to meet the Minister on his first visit, "not out of any misplaced sense of the importance of their aims, but in the belief that the Minister wishes to establish current views in Gibraltar for himself, of which the Groups are a part which is at least as relevant to the Minister's attempt to negotiate our Constitutional future as of some of the other organisations he has set time aside to meet."
They add: "The Minister's refusal to meet, in the opinion of the groups, gives the lie to the his repeated and truculent call for dialogue, and shows he only believes in this when it suits the plans of the Foreign Office."
It has come to the groups' attention that the Minister's office had expressed a preference for visiting Gibraltar with no other item in his programme than the unveiling of a commemorative Plaque. "We understand that the Minister's office relented when it was advised of the negative consequences of a first Ministerial visit which did not extend beyond the Airfield Runway and Devil's Tower Road," the groups say.
IRONIC
The groups consider it ironic that a man who has denied his Polish father's name during most of his life (his late father's name was Jan Matyjaszek, Polish, his mother's is MacShane) should find himself in a position in which he has to confront the substantial Polish electorate in the UK with his Government's refusal to reject Spanish objections to a significant Polish Government presence in Gibraltar.
Further irony is added by his being forced to attend the ceremony himself as Minister for Europe in a damage-limitation exercise to prevent a possible loss of Polish votes in the UK for his Government.
"Having reneged on his own Polish roots all his life Mr. Matyjaszek, or MacShane, as he is now known, may be understandably at a loss to understand the Gibraltarian persistence and determination in the rejection of his plans and those of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to steal our land from under our feet and hand it over to our neighbours," the SDGG and VOGG say in a joint statement.
Health Authority “without Director of Nursing”
The Nursing Section of ACTSS feels it is “deplorable” that the GHA Management have seen fit to allow a situation to develop in which there is at present no Director of Nursing Services in post.
At such critical moment in time in which the Government has commissioned the Clinical Government Review Body, to examine systems and procedures in the Health Service, to date there is no substance postholder in place.
The Nursing Section has repeatedly made representation to Senior Management to ensure, as is normal practice in other departments with Senior Management, to forward plan the expected date of sensetive retirement posts and ensure well in advance of termination, that a designed applicant has been successfully chosen.
“Given the current perdicament, the GHA should not be without a Director of Nursing Services for months to come and therefore undermining our ability to provide a more effective and higher quality service,” says the Union. “This will also have a detrimental effect in managing change, guidance and direction for all Nurses in improving current practices before the move to the new hospital.”
The Nursing Section are of the opinion that this issue must be addressed as a matter of
ugrency.
Policing plan
by Joseph R Ullger
Commissioner of Police
It is with pleasure that I present the Policing Plan for the Royal Gibraltar Police for 2003-2004. The plan sets out how we will seek to respond to public expectations as we endeavour to maintain a good quality of life, making certain that Gibraltar remains a safe community to live in and visit.
Towards the end of 2002 I commissioned an inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), the first HMIC inspection carried out of the police service in Gibraltar. The main aim was to establish the effectiveness, efficiency and performance of the organisation. Several recommendations have been made and some of these are reflected in this year’s plan. It is with pride that I command a police service that has been recognised by HMIC to be an organisation that “provides the people of Gibraltar an efficient and effective policing service.”
Whilst maintaining the same policing style set in the 2002-2003 Policing Plan and pursuing the same Key Service Areas, we have streamlined the original seven down to six, omitting Call Management. This is due to the targets set out in this Key Service Area having been achieved. It is therefore no longer an area requiring specific attention, but one we shall continue to monitor.
The commissioning of a public perception survey, conducted by an independent company has demonstrated that public satisfaction with the service given by the Royal Gibraltar Police has increased.
There is no room for complacency and this year we will continue to focus our policing initiatives on the remaining six Key Service Areas. We have selected performance measurement tools that will allow us to deliver the best quality of service in each Key Service Area.
International events do have a global impact and Gibraltar is not immune to this. The safety of the community is my prime concern and police contingency plans will be focused to meet that concern.
This plan establishes a clear vision of what we intend to achieve in 2003-2004. It is a commitment of the level of service we intend to supply. I cannot stress enough the importance I attach to the strengthening of our working relationship with our partners, with your support, we shall continue to make Gibraltar a better and safer place.
Gibraltar punished - as ships are sent to Spain instead of Gibraltar, say Conservatives
by our London correspondent
Gibraltar has been 'punished' for rejecting the deal on joint sovereignty - with the UK sending its ships into ports in Spain instead of Gibraltar, it is claimed by the Conservatives.
Since 2001, Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxilliary ships have made more visits to commercial Spanish ports than to Gibraltar's naval base, according to new figures.
SIDELINED?
Now the Conservatives have demanded to know whether the figures show the Rock's famous naval base is being sidelined - under pressure from Madrid.
According to a parliamentary written answer, there were 51 visits to Spanish ports in 2001, compared to only 47 to Gibraltar.
The trend was reversed last year, with 57 dockings in Gibraltar and 47 in Spain, But, up until the end of May this year, Spain was ahead again by 24 to 16.
Overall, Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxilliary vessels have visited Spain on 122 occasions and Gibraltar on only 120, since January 1, 2001.
CONCERNED
A spokesman for Bernard Jenkin, Tory defence spokesman, said: "We are concerned that the government is increasingly using ports in Spain, rather than Gibraltar.
"And one of the reasons for that is because of lobbying from Spain, which also complains about the environmental fears of the single-hulled tankers calling at Gibraltar.
"These Royal Freight Auxilliary tankers, which are used to refuel ships going to the Gulf, could easily dock at Gibraltar, but there has obviously been lobbying going on.
"We will be asking further questions about this, and trying to get a formal statement, because it appears that Gibraltar is being punished."
The latest claims come hard on the heels of Conservative allegations that the MoD stopped British warships patrolling the Strait of Gibraltar to avoid offending Spain.
Questions were tabled after HMS Cornwall failed - as expected - to replace its sister ship Westminster as the Gibraltar guard ship back in March.
Anonymous sources on the Rock alerted the Tories to complaints by Spain that allegedly resulted in Spanish warships mounting patrols, alongside a United States ship.
COMPLAINS
Spanish authorities in Algeciras, across the bay from Gibraltar, have long protested over warships and nuclear-powered submarines calling at the naval base.
And there have been complaints about the RFA tankers posing an environmental risk, because of their single hulls.
Yet, the Tories point out, both the warships and the tankers are now calling at Spanish ports - and in greater numbers.
Definition of the population
From the latest CENSUS
Since the 1961 Census, and up to and including the 1991 Census, the definition of the “Usually Resident” population of Gibraltar has for reasons of continuity and comparison with earlier years, remained unchanged. This means that the “Other British” category included the UK-based MOD Civilians and their families who were temporary residents of Gibraltar. However, for the 2001 Census, the “Other British” category excludes UK-based MOD civilians and their families. Instead, as they are temporary residents of Gibraltar while they are here, they have been included in the “Persons present in Gibraltar on Census night” together with “Families of Servicemen”.
The rationale for this decision is to bring them into line with the way in which the families of servicemen, who are also regarded as temporary residents, are classified for population count purposes. Families of servicemen are residents of Gibraltar for an average period of about two years. They are not permanent residents whose educational, health and other public needs are the responsibility of the Gibraltar Government. The same principle applies to UK-based MOD based civilians and their families. In any event, the number of UK-based MOD civilians and their families present in Gibraltar on Census night totalled 171.
Given this relatively low number, these households were not fully enumerated and only a head-count was carried out. Given this situation, the opportunity was taken to make the change previously explained particularly since it made no significant difference to the totality of the figures. The change has further allowed the adoption of the standard definition of a population as “Usually-Resident”.
For the 2001 Census, “Persons present in Gibraltar on Census night” includes resident civilians, the families of British Servicemen, UK-based MOD civilians and their families, visitors and transients. The figures for British Servicemen are excluded. For transients and visitors a head count only was taken. Comparison of the 2001 Census figure for visitors and transients (3,383) shows an increase of 235% over the 1991 Census figure (1,010).
Details of the make-up of the 2001 Census shows “Usually-Resident” Population of Gibraltar and the “Population Present on Census Night” figure of 31,623. The number of Moroccans resident in Gibraltar shows a 47% decrease over the period from 1991 to 2001 as against a 16% decrease over the previous decade. This decrease can be partly accounted for by the inherent difficulties of enumerating the Moroccan community. These difficulties were further exacerbated in 2001 as the Holy Feast of Ramadan took place close to the Census date and a number of Moroccans were therefore absent from Gibraltar.
However, the main reason is that there has been a significant decrease in the number of Moroccans living and working in Gibraltar over the last decade as the Employment Survey figures show (1,839 were recorded in October 1991 compared with 812 in October 2001).
The planning window for the taking of the Census did not allow the Census date to be brought forward into late October. Neither was it practicable to have held the Census in the first week of November, as it would have clashed with the schools’ mid-term holiday when many persons would have been away from Gibraltar.
The 2001 Census count for visitors was significantly higher than in previous Censuses. This was mainly due to the presence in Gibraltar overnight of a cruise ship with over 1,000 passengers and crew. There were also a relatively higher number of visitors staying with Gibraltar households (1,020). Most other visitors were staying in hotels and at the marinas.
• Continues on Monday.
Marcus and Gail win Gib open
The finals of the Benson and Hedges Gibraltar Open were recently held at the Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road.
Some of the now regular participants from abroad were unable to take part, including, among others, the UK British army squash squad (owing, it is understood, to their Iraq commitment) and some top players from Andalucia who were attending a world class tournament concurrently being held in Seville. There were however four high standard visitors from the UK, as well as Stuart Licudi; also, one-time local champion, Peter Wilkie and Andalucian Circuit No.1, Marcus Hall, apart from reigning male local champion, Malcolm Head and, of course the other top local players.
The tournament was a great success with Marcus Hall winning the Men’s (which carried a £450 cash prize) and Gail Attias, winning the Ladies’ which carried £100 prize money.
In all there were twelve competitions and the results were as follows: -
Juniors (Girls) (Main) - Winner: Miriam Caravallo; Runner-up: Karma Tewskesbury Juniors (Girls) (Plate) - Winner: Lian Galliano; Runner-up: Louise Garcia.
Juniors (Boys) (Main) - Winner: Carl Gomez; Runner-up: Troy Olivero (making a comeback to the game after an absence of eight months owing to injury). Juniors (Boys) (Plate) - Winner: Paul Collinson; Runner-up: Stuart Cavilla.
Ladies (Plate) Winner: Lucilla Peire; Runner-up: Elaine Chipolina.
Veterans — Winner: Joe Duo; Runner-up: Brendon Roche.
Men’s “C” Competition — Whiner: Mike Da Silva; Runner-up: Manolo Martinez.
Men’s “B” Competition — Winner: John Licudi; Runner-up: Lawrence Harrison.
Men’s “A” Competition — Winner: Graham Olivero; Runner-up: Denis Clinton.
Men’s Consolation — Winner: Danny Fabre; Runner-up: Louise Montegriffo
Ladies’ (Main) – Winner: Gail Attias; Runner-up: Carol Gomez
Men’s (Main) – Winner Marcus Hall; Runner – up: Stuart Licudi
Over 14% of workers commute from Spain
By combining the results of the 2001 Census just out with the Employment Survey table on frontier workers, the total labour force employed in Gibraltar is estimated at 14,260 of which 12,206 are resident in Gibraltar and 2,054 are frontier employees. Thus 14.4% of the total labour force commutes from Spain.
The highest proportion of frontier workers is Spanish, 67%, with 20% from the UK and 4.6% are Gibraltarian.
“The figures would indicate that the number of Gibraltarians recorded as frontier workers was understated,” it is noted.
However, most Gibraltarians working in Gibraltar but living in Spain would also have a local address so in terms of their employment they would have been recorded in both the Employment Survey and the Census as locally-based employees.
CRUISE STAGNATION:
Government give five different excuses
The Opposition consider that the explanation given by the Government for the under-performance of Gibraltar in the cruise sector is not good enough. "The reality is that all that Mr Holliday is doing is shifting from one excuse to another when his latest argument is undermined by events," said a Press statement.
The Opposition has long expressed concern at the fact that Gibraltar is not doing as well as other ports in the area in attracting cruise calls and cruise passengers. One of the first arguments put forward by the Government was that there was a two-year lead in period because it took time for cruise operators to add on a new destination to their brochures, so the effects of their marketing campaign would not be felt immediately.
The September 11th tragedy was the second excuse given by the Government. The Opposition pointed out at the time that this drop was already apparent in the period from January to August 2001, before September 11th had even happened.
LACK OF GROWTH
Last year Tourism Minister Joe Holliday declared that the lack of growth in cruise ships calls was something that affected all Mediterranean ports. The Opposition then obtained the figures for cruise calls at Malaga. These showed that at a time when Gibraltar was static or had declined to 149 ships, Malaga had a record year with 250 cruise calls. The Chief Minister tried to explain this away in the House of Assembly by saying that it was not fair to compare with Malaga, because they had started in the industry after Gibraltar and that growth in proportional terms was higher there for that reason. This was their third excuse. Opposition spokesman for Tourism Dr Joseph Garcia brushed this away by saying that the comparison made was not in proportional terms but in actual number of cruise calls of which Malaga had over 100 more than Gibraltar. Moreover, if Malaga started from a low base, they had not only caught up with Gibraltar, they had zoomed past us and left us standing in their wake.
COMPARISONS
The Government then moved to excuse number four. They claimed that comparisons with Malaga were unfair because the city was the tourist capital of the Costa del Sol and the "Florida of Europe." In order to counter this argument, the Opposition then used Cadiz as a comparison. This showed that when Gibraltar obtained 149 cruise calls last year, Cadiz obtained 160. Moreover, in the first quarter of this year, Gibraltar had three cruise calls and Cadiz had over six times as many, with 19.
The Government continued to shift their argument to excuse number five. Mr Holliday then gave a completely new reason to explain the drop which had not been heard before. He explained that the tours organised in Gibraltar had a smaller profit margin for the cruise ship than those organised elsewhere. The Opposition considers that if this is the case, it is very odd that it has not been mentioned until now and coincides with a time when the Government has run out of other excuses. The fact is that excursions in Gibraltar have a solid advantage for the passenger over those offered in Malaga and Cadiz. In both these ports excursions offered are often outside the city. Tourists may be taken for example to Granada or to Jerez, Mijas or elsewhere. This means that there is transit time before the excursion actually commences, and transit time back after it has finished. In Gibraltar, however, the actual tour starts as soon as tourists step off the ship.
The Government have given at least five different excuses in recent times to explain the lack of growth of Gibraltar's cruise calls when compared to other neighbouring ports. These have been exposed as feeble attempts to justify the unjustifiable. It is incredible that despite the fact that they hail every marketing event as a success, the results do not match the claims made or the expectctations generated.
Motorists want to know about their MOT
Motorists going for their MOT are asking when will the new requirement, as announced by the government in the House of Assembly last week, will be introduced.
The need to have an MOT annually is to be changed to every two years.
However, people going to the MOT centre and asking about it are being told that, at the centre, they know nothing about it, as fresh instructions have not been issued. As a result, the MOT being issued is valid for a year as has been the case up to now.
People are asking questions. They want to know when the new system will be introduced and also how this will be applied. If someone already has a certificate valid for a year, will this be extended to two years? Or will one-year certificates remain unchanged? If so, does it mean that only from the date the system is introduced that 2-year certificates will be issued?
All kinds of questions are being asked - and answers are being requested!
'Gibraltar British Forever' demonstrations
The GSLP/Liberal Opposition have come out backing the pro-british demonstrations being held on Friday on the occasion of the visit of Europe minister denis MacShane, who is directly responsible for Gibraltar in the foreign Office. Pressure groups have also come out in support, but so far the Government has said nothing. "Their usual stance is that unless they organise it, they do not come out supporting it," it was said in opposotion circles.
The IWBM, which started it all, say they want to remind the general public of the Keep Gibraltar British demonstration andcall on everyone to attend as a sign of Gibraltarian Solidarity.
Another protest is being organised by the Keep gibraltar british group.
The VOGG has already given details of their plans, which includes meeting the minister in Main Street, and then joining the other demonstrators outside The Convent.
For its part, the Labour Party said yesterday that it urges all its members and supporters to support the two demon-strations being organised.
"We will be congregating at 11.15 a.m. by The Arcade and march with the Voice of Gibraltar to the Cathedral where we will then meet up with the demonstration being organised by the IWBM/Keep Gibraltar British committee in an act of unity and solidarity,"they said.
Marbella mayor buys Gibraltar-owned mansion for his Pantoja
The mayor of Marbella has bought a Gibraltar-owned mansion for his new-found love, the well-known Spanish singer Isabel Pantoja.
The mansion stands on a 3,000-metre plot of land in the Nueva Andalucia area near Puerto Banus, which is one of Marbella's most expensive areas.
"LOVE NEST"
The palatial home is being dubbed in Spain as their 'love nest', in the wake of the romance becoming public knowledge last month in the middle of the municipal elections there.
Isabel Pantoja is the widow of the famous bullfighter Paquirri, who met his death in the bullring; the mayor, Julian Munoz, has left his wife.
"2-MILLION EUROS"
The mansion is called 'Casa Linnea'. It has reportedly been purchased from a Gibraltar-registered company for about two million euros. Initially, it has been thought the property had been rented.
The purchase has been through an intermediary named as Manuel Calle by the magazine Tiempo. He is described as the mayor's right hand man, owning an estate agency and being an ex-councillor of the GIL party that dominates Marbella. Calle is a retired Guardia Civil officer.
La Pantoja, as she is popularly known, as many followers in Gibraltar. The tragic death of her husband, and her exquisite singing, has won her many admirers. The singer is now being presented as "the image of Marbella", where she is settling with the mayor.
Juvenile delinquency: Need for solutions
The Opposition considers that outbreaks of juvenile delinquency and vandalism in our streets is "a sorry reflection of the fact that the youth policy of the Government is not working and that more needs to be done." This point was made by Opposition Youth spokesman Steven Linares to the House of Assembly debate on the budget last week.
Now, in a statement, he says it is clear that the Government has done precious little to provide enough involvement and suitable activities to keep young people off the streets. For example, youth clubs were closed over the Christmas break and during weekends, which is exactly when youngsters are free to avail themselves of the facilities. Although there is some relief in summer because young people go to the beach, there are not enough activities or facilities on offer for teenagers. Many cannot afford to go into restaurants at Casemates or to facilities in Spain.
The youth and leisure centre project at King's Bastion has been announced and re-announced by the Government time and again over the years. This is a common occurance with the GSD. The project has not only failed to materialise, after seven years of GSD administration, but there is little activity in the area which is still very much as it was. It will probably now be included in their election manifeso once more.
The indications are that teenagers find it easy to obtain alcoholic drinks in Gibraltar and then get up to mischief. In the last two years there have been increasing reports in the media on juvenile cases which follow arrests and precede court proceedings. The charges have included serious matters like arson, and local youths arrested and charged for burglary. Indeed, even the Magistrate's Court itself was burgled and a juvenile was arrested.
The Opposition has been critical of the way the Government has handled troublesome children from school age. We have called for a Pupil Referral Unit to which such children can be sent in order to modify their anti-social behaviour. At present unruly children who may be expelled or suspended from school have nowhere to go and end up at home or in the streets. The setting up of a unit would be essential in order to tackle the issue and provide help and assistance from the outset.
The Opposition consider that despite all the rhetoric emerging from youth Minister Ernest Britto, the fact remains that much more could be done to make suitable and adequate provision for young people in Gibraltar.
Our eagle returns
After almost a quarter of a century of absence, a Bonelli’s Eagle is again living on the Rock. thanks to the work of the Raptor Rehabilitation Unit of the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society GONHS).
Bonelli’s Eagles, rare species in Europe and decreasing in numbers in Iberia, once nested on the Rock, having last been recorded nesting in 1933 by H. Rait-Kerr, who wrote a nature column in the Gibraltar Chronicle. It is likely they were around a little longer than that, but had certainly gone by the Second World War. Some Senior Citizens from Catalan Bay still remember the days when they had eagles nesting on the cliffs above.
The reasons for their departure as a nesting species are not clear. Disturbance from military activity during the war is one possibility, and the increase in numbers of gulls has been mentioned. However, it could be the other way around and it may be that the gulls increased in numbers when this major predator left.
The GONHS Unit was handed a young female Bonelli’s Eagle which had been illegally taken from a nest in Spain back in 1996. Since then it has been cared for and trained, hoping that a mate would be found for a captive breeding programme. As this did not happen, it was decided to train the bird, which was not imprinted, for release. It has been trained thoroughly to catch and live on yellow-legged gulls, a prey species that is clearly in great abundance on the Rock.
The female Bonelli’s Eagle was released last Thursday 26 June from the Upper Rock. It is still in Gibraltar, having stayed in the area of the cliffs above Catalan Bay, presumably feeding on gulls – and causing great commotion among them.
Of course the eagle is free to leave. However, it is hoped that the abundance of prey and the fact that it was released here, will make it stay, or return in the future, hopefully with a mate. In addition to the number of gulls that would be killed by the eagles during the course of a year, the presence of these large birds of prey would cause great disturbance to the nesting gulls, reducing their breeding success. Thus, helping with the programme of gull control.
In any case, this magnificent bird has been returned to the wild successfully. For the first time in many decades Gibraltar – for the moment at least – has a resident Bonelli’s Eagle. Certainly the biggest success to date of the GONHS Raptor Unit.
VOGG announce plans for MacShane’s visit
The Voice of Gibraltar Group confirms details of its action planned for Friday 4th July during the visit of the Minister for Europe, Dr. Dennis MacShane.
From early morning on the day, members of The Group will be along Main Street distributing leaflets which lists its demands:
DEMANDS
- Retraction of Jack Straw's policy statement of 12 July 02
- The end of the Brussels Process/no talks on sovereignty
- A new status for the Rock in line with HoA constitutional proposals, integration, 4th. option or independence
- Decolonisation through an act of self - determination
- Upholding Gibraltar's legitimate rights in the EU
- Legal proceedings against Spain in the EU, whenever necessary (e.g. telephones)
- No more 'agreements' on Spanish EU vetoes against the Rock and the UK's best endeavours to overturn the present exclusions.
SUPPORT
"The public are gratefully asked to lend their support by handing the leaflets to the Minister, during his 'walkabout' or at any other opportune moment. When he leaves, he must not be in any doubt as to the strength of feeling in Gibraltar," says a Press release.
At 11.15 a.m., The Group will congregate by 'The Arcade' (north-end of Main Street). A letter will be delivered to Dr. MacShane when he comes by. Then The Group will march up Main Street to meet up with the demonstration organised by the IWBM/RFWVG/KGBG for an act of solidarity and unity.
"Let everyone who attends express their feelings in the strongest possible terms but in a way that reflects positively on Gibraltar," they say.
Opposition would follow UK on gay couples benefits
The British Government has published a paper setting out their intention to award gay couples the same pension and property rights as married couples. They would be expected to enter into "civil partnerships" by signing an official register.
The benefits that would be affected are in areas like tax and social insurance, which includes tax allowances and pensions. It is clear that British and European Union law is moving in this direction.
The Opposition believe that Gibraltar should not lag behind in addressing these issues. "We believe that there should be no discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation in the benefits that the state pays its citizens," said an Opposition spokesperson.
ENDORSES
The Opposition adds that it endorses the principle that if the United Kingdom moves down this route, then Gibraltar should do so as well. This is all the more so because many of these benefits are contributory, which means that the people affected pay their contributions in the same way as everybody else but receive less benefits.
A GSLP/Liberal Government would therefore be committed to introduce in Gibraltar whatever changes are introduced in the United Kingdom with respect to gay rights in this area as a result of the legislation that follows the consultation paper. The Opposition has already been in touch with contacts in the United Kingdom Parliament seeking further, more detailed, information on this matter.
Alvarez hails GSLP/Liberal statement as "clear and
"courageous"
GGR Chairman, Felix Alvarez, says he has welcomed the GSLP/Liberal Alliance's commitment to the introduction of full equality rights to the gay community in Gibraltar, based on the UK model announced by the British Government's White Paper.
"I am pleased to see that the Opposition - and particularly, Joe Bossano and Joseph Garcia - have had the courage to openly support the right to full equality of Gibraltarian citizens of diverse sexual orientation. The commitment made by the Alliance is clear and courageous. It is both refreshing and inspiring to find serious local politicians of weight willing and able to commit in principle to full equality for members of the gay community," Mr Alvarez stated.
He adds: "It is time for all parties and politicians in Gibraltar to similarly understand that there is no shame in openly and unequivocally supporting sexual minority citizens in Gibraltar. Let us not forget that as Gibraltarians we are all, after all, fighting for our human rights as a People - and it makes no sense at all to be demanding this internationally on the one hand, while on the other avoiding openly supporting the rights of minority citizens at a domestic level. Let us find the courage - all of us together - to build a truly peaceful, democratic and equal society for our People."
MacShane march
A 'Keep Gibraltar British' demonstration is being planned to coincide with the visit to Gibraltar on Friday by Europe minister Denis MacShane. The organisers want him not to forget his visit in a hurry.
Organising the event is the Integration With Britain Movement and the Keep Gibraltar British group.
The demonstration will take place under five points:
1. Gibraltar to remain British forever.
2. Close the door on Spain's illegal claim.
3. No joint sovereignty, now or ever.
4. Remove the Brussels process.
5. Defend our human rights.
Those taking part will gather outside the Convent at 10.30am on Friday.
The GSLP/Liberal opposition say they have been informed of the demonstration and add that they have no problem with any of these five points. As such, they have no difficulty in encouraging Gibraltarians to participate on that basis.
The Voice of Gibraltar group said last week that they will be "seen and heard" on Friday.
Electrical faults No.1 priority, says minister
Attending to electrical faults will remain the number one priority, said minister Ernest Britto. That being the case, he should look into the regular power cuts in Irish Town, as was the case last Friday afternoon.
Speaking in the House, he said that the total units generated during 2002/2003 was one hundred and thirty point seven five million units (130.75 million kWh), this represents an increase of 3.8% over the previous year. Waterport Power Station produced 48.5% of the total generation and OESCO produced 51.5%.
The total number of units billed during the same period was 121.87 Million kWh, representing an increase of 10.2% over last year.
The total amount billed was £11.34 million, of which £l0.79 million was collected. The total accumulated outstanding debt as at 31 March was £7.22 million.
The total number of active consumers reached £15,693 an increase of 247 over last year, representing an extra 1.6%.
As can be noted from these figures, the growth of the electricity industry continues. Government is in the process of considering the options for the provision of additional generating plant.
Fuel has experienced three price fluctuations throughout the year. The current position is that the price is marginally above last year’s at this same time.
I am pleased to confirm that the move of the Distribution Section from its old premises at Orange Bastion in Irish Town to the new Electricity Centre at Rosia Road was completed in September last year.
After successful negotiations with the Technical Day Staff, the Transport and General Workers Union and ACTS, the Electricity Authority Ordinance was passed in this House of Assembly on the 28th March 2003. The new Gibraltar Electricity Authority encompasses the Electrical Section formerly part of Technical Services Department and currently located at Wellington Front.
He added: The Authority is in the process of recruiting additional professional, technical, financial and administrative staff to enable it to deliver an efficient and effective service to the consumer.
The modernisation and computerisation of the technical, administrative and financial functions of the Authority will have to be undertaken once the human resources organisation is achieved.
The Authority will give priority to approved training courses for its staff and establish a programme of succession planning to ensure it obtains qualified human resources to meet its requirements in the short to medium term.
Attending to faults will remain the number one priority, a major upgrading programme for the distribution network and substations will be initiated and teams will be devoted to these works.
The estimates of accounts presented in this session mirror those of the Electricity Department and do not encompass the resources required by the Authority. It is proposed that the Authority will be a self-accounting entity. Income will be derived from the sales of electricity and from the other services it provides.
Western beach situation being reviewed
The MOD is reviewing the future of Western Beach. Currently the beach and all land bordering it, is a MOD responsibility and therefore, due to this and the absence of appropriate facilities it is not regarded a regulated beach area. The MOD has also at its own expense cleaned the beach each year and maintains the appropriate boundaries.
In light of the ongoing security requirements the MOD will soon be making good the Southern boundary with a more robust fence. This will have the effect of ending public access to the beach. Moreover, the MOD cannot continue to spend defence resources on cleaning the beach used predominantly by the public.
"This may inconvenience members of the public that have used the beach in the past. However, the MOD is looking into proposals that include providing proper access so that subsequent supporting facilities may be provided" said the MOD.
Gibraltar in Mediterranean workshop
An international workshop on Defining Important Plant Areas in the Mediterranean Region was held this weekend at the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Co-operation in Malaga, hosted by the World Conservation Union and Plantlife International. Dr John Cortes of the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) was among the 25 international experts on Mediterranean plants invited to the meeting.
Plantlife is a young organisation which has set itself the task of identifying areas in Europe that are particularly important for plants, and declaring them Important Plant Areas, in much the same way as BirdLife International has its list of Important Bird Areas. These areas, named by panels of experts and not by Governments, have no direct legal protection, but they identify areas which require such protection. They raise awareness of both the public and authorities and often attain protected status in their own right.
Specialists from many countries including Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Gibraltar discussed issues and procedures and identified the way forward.
In the case of Gibraltar, full legal protection of plants already exists. Indeed it is one of the few countries that protects plants by “reverse listing” – that is, the Nature Protection Ordinance lists the COMMON plants that are NOT protected, giving automatic protection to any plant that is so rare that it has not yet been discovered. But inclusion in an international network of Important Plant Areas would certainly raise Gibraltar’s profile.
One observation is that while Gibraltar holds and protects what is possibly the rarest plant in Europe – the Gibraltar Campion Silene tomentosa – this species, and many other rare plants found only here and nowhere else in Europe, are not listed in the European Habitats Directive or the Berne Convention, simply because the scientists drafting the lists “forgot” about Gibraltar. This matter has already been addressed by GONHS and Gibraltar’s rare plants will be included in future amendments.
I had no idea Gibraltarians could be so
troublesome, says Blair
Exclusive by JOE GARCIA
The prime minister Tony Blair was led to believe that the Gibraltarians would be a walkover, which explains why he went ahead seeking to strike a deal over Gibraltar with Spain, it has emerged.
Informed sources have told PANORAMA that Mr Blair has told his close colleagues that he had no idea the Gibraltarians would be so troublesome.
It explains why the former Europe minister Peter Hain behaved as if he was a bulldozer in attempting to get a deal struck, whether or not the Gibraltarians wanted it.
His style was one of even making threats if Gibraltar did not go along with the ideas he was putting forward. He wanted to frighten the Gibraltarians into submission, thinking this was possible.
It would appear that Mr Blair was being fed with information that suggested that a deal would be plain sawing.
The Gibraltarians were seen as the 'soft option'. This is the way conclusions were drawn, given that Spain was seen as the 'hard option'.
It would seem logical to conclude that the Foreign Office negotiators were more prepared to believe the information they were receiving about the high prospect of a deal than the contrary information.
This also shows to what extent they were eager to push ahead with doing a deal, listening to what suited them.
It does not mean that the UK government would not welcome a deal that would remove what they see as the 'Rock stumbling block' in Anglo-Spanish relations.
Now, Mr Blair admits privately that he had no idea the Gibraltarians would put up such a fight in defence of their homeland.
Now, the UK is faced with a sovereignty deal it cannot deliver, but which they cannot extricate themselves from, as otherwise relations with Spain would take another dip.
How do they get out of this one? The performance in Madrid by Europe minister Denis MacShane was aimed not at rejecting the deal, but at gaining time, hoping the people of Gibraltar will eventually change their minds.
But pressure groups in Gibraltar are insisting that what Gibraltar wants is a permanent solution, and no more dillydallying and uncertainty.
Reflection and persuasion are now the name of the game for Gibraltar. But as the chief minister has put it, this cannot mean that we all reflect except the UK.
The UK should reflect that, as the colonial power, she has to accept the result of the November referendum. Sticking to the 12 July deal is an insuperable obstacle to dialogue, as Mr Caruana has noted and Mr MacShane will be told in Gibraltar this week.
Flare UP: Enrolled nurse
mentioned by Caruana was Bossano's wife
The incident in the House of Assembly last Friday, when the police were asked into the chamber, followed a major row between the leader of the opposition Joe Bossano and the chief minister Peter Caruana.
It followed remarks made by Mr Caruana during the morning session.
Mr Caruana spent the morning and part of the afternoon winding-up the budget debate and answering back comments made from the opposition benches.
He was referring to remarks made by opposition health spokesperson Marie Montegriffo about the government commissioning reports and then nothing further being heard about them or action taken. The Griffiths report was one of them.
During his intervention, Mr Caruana said that this report was an investigation that had taken place in the mental unit concerning an incident between the enrolled nurse "who had grown to be accustomed to be the head of it" and a charge nurse.
He added: It was not implemented because it was not necessary because the enrolled nurse in question indicated an intention to retire and then retired.
The enrolled nurse was Mr Bossano's wife.
Mr Bossano left the House early, and on return after lunch, there was a particularly heated confrontation between Mr Bossano and Mr Caruana, with strong words were uttered.. This was in the ante-room that leads to the chamber.
Mr Bossano was evidently complaining that a matter concerning his wife had been the subject of comment by Mr Caruana.
Once in the chamber, Mr Bossano requested to speak on what is known as a point of order, evidently to refer to what Mr Caruana had said.
But the Speaker, John Alcantara, ruled it was not a point of order and the request would not be accepted.
This meant that Mr Bossano, who was fuming about what had happened in the morning concerning his wife, could not answer back under the point of order. He insisted, but to no avail.
He was named by the Speaker and asked to leave the chamber.
Mr Bossano was refusing to leave and was saying he would not leave, and that he would have to be ejected by the police.
The police officer on duty at the House was asked by the Speaker to remove the leader of the opposition.
There was much heated argument as members walked to the ante-room next to the chamber. Mr Bossano was visibly annoyed.
The meeting had to be adjourned, resuming some time later.
Healthy picture of public finances questioned
by Daniel Feetham, Labour party leader
We in the Labour Party do not believe that the state of public finances are as healthy as the Government’s picture paints. We believe that the economy is dangerously exposed over the coming years to external threats (eg excessive controls at the border). For the Chief Minister to cite GDP figures to support his analysis that the economy can sustain the level of public expenditure he has embarked upon and high levels of "debt/liabilities" which his is accumulating for future generations is very dangerous. By all accounts the economy of Gibraltar is more exposed to the risk of global economic downturn than any country. Gibraltar’s economy is by its very nature is still also "in transformation", having undergone significant political and economic change over the last 15 years.
Indeed, public reserves are still not sufficient to pay even the first tranche of public debt, an amount of £50 million, which is due and repayable in 2005. To suggest that the public debt has remained at the same as last year is questionable (£78 million). We in the Labour Party certainly view the Government’s PFI arrangements for the hospital as a disguised form of public debt. The economic effect of PFI is the same as an increase in the public debt. So, if the current capital valuation for the hospital project is, say £45 million, we could say that economically the Government’s repayment obligations have increased by £45 million without having to account for this as public debt. Notwithstanding this when we say that we do not like PFI arrangements, we are not being novel in our arguments. PFI arrangements in the health service have been heavily criticized in the UK where a powerful lobby of trade unions, economists and medical experts have all joined forces against such schemes. These are highly controversial arrangements and like every contractual arrangement the devil is in the detail. That is why we have questioned these arrangements and will continue to do so. The Government also seems intent on embarking on further PFI schemes in other sectors.
New school module on Prehistoric Gibraltar
The first of what will become a series of local-history based books and modules has been produced by the Gibraltar Government’s Heritage and Planning Division in collaboration with The Department of Education and Training (DET).
Stemming from the recognition that local history needed to be better resourced so that teachers’ work in this area could be supported and enhanced, the idea behind the modules was originally proposed by Dr Darren Fa, currently Education & Research Officer for the Heritage Division, and a small working team was created together with Ms Pat Scott, Senior Education Advisor at the DET.
This first book and associated module is based on the theme of ‘Prehistoric Gibraltar’, and is written and produced specifically for children of primary school age. The module itself is made up of a full-colour textbook, an accompanying set of teachers’ notes which includes suggestions for activities, worksheets, useful information, and an activity box containing replicas of stone tools, ceramics and other items.
The actual book and accompanying module has been co-authored by Dr Fa and Ms Gizelle Montegriffo, currently teacher in charge of English Language and until recently Head of History at St. Joseph’s Infant School. Regular feedback from other History and Primary school teachers has been sought to try to ensure that these new local-history resources addresses their specific needs.
The Hon Dr Bernard Linares, Minister for Health, Education & Culture, will officially launch the book and module at a private function to be held today.
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