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Opposition reject PSOE MPs criticism of bunkering
No sooner had Spanish PSOE MP Salvador de la Encina left Gibraltar on Wednesday afternoon that he immediately launched into criticism of our bunkering industry.
The Opposition considers that this is very surprising given that he is reported as having said that he now understood Gibraltar better and that the PP had gone about the issue in the wrong way.
In comments to the Spanish media, Mr de la Encina has said that he intends to press the Spanish Foreign Minister Ana de Palacio in the parliament in Madrid to open negotiations with the United Kingdom on the bunkering operations in Gibraltar.
The Spanish MP has made it clear that the only satisfactory solution to this question, as far as he is concerned, is that there should be no oil bunkering in Gibraltar waters, which he referred to as Spanish waters of Algeciras bay.
Mr de la Encina has said that he considers ship bunkering activities to be a threat to the 280,000 people who live in the Campo area.
The Opposition consider that this outburst by the Spanish MP, on the same day that he came to Gibraltar, shows that Mr de la Encina did not come here with an open mind to learn about Gibraltar, but with a pre-determined agenda to damage our economy which he let out as soon as he crossed the border.
In any case, he does not have a clue as to what he is talking about. In calling for the United Kingdom to discuss Gibraltar's bunkering industry with Spain, he has ignored the fact that this is a domestic matter licensed by the Government of Gibraltar in accordance with EU law.
The bunkering industry is an important sector in the economy of Gibraltarwhich has been growing over the years.
Any attempt by the Spanish Government to eliminate it would be seen here as Madrid placing further restrictions on the economic development of Gibraltar, in order to integrate Gibraltar with the Campo area. This must be strongly resisted.
INCONSISTENT
The Opposition consider that the comments made by de la Encina and reported in Spain are totally inconsistent with the comments he made previously in Gibraltar. If the Spanish MP genuinely believes in better relations between Gibraltar and Spain then he has a very odd way of showing it.
Coaching and taster summer schools are a hit with our local youngsters
This years Summer Sports Programme organised by the Gibraltar Sports Development Unit in partnership with Gibraltar’s Sports Associations has seen a fantastic programme of activities on offer for the children and young people of Gibraltar. Twenty-three Sports Associations have worked throughout the summer to give youngsters the biggest choice of sports yet. Over 700 children and young people have already taken part in coaching courses organised by Sports Associations. August will see a continuation of the Summer Sports Programme with activities being organised by Sports Associations and the Sports Development Unit. These coaching courses and activities include: -
Angling - This Saturday 8am to 12 noon (9th August) will see the final junior Angling competition being organised at the Detached Mole. Please telephone Charlie Carreras on 74337 or Mario Ramos on 72622 for competition conditions and transportation details.
Sailing – Monday 11th to Friday 15th August 9.30am to 12.30pm will see the third Sailing summer school being organised by the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club. For further information and to book your child onto the course please contact Sydney Pilcher on telephone 48847.
Table tennis coaching clinics – Mon, Wed & Fri 11th, 13th and 15th August 10am to 12noon at the Victoria Stadium. Please telephone Eugene Pons on 58014000 for further information.
Basketball Coaching – Tuesday 12th Aug 10am to 12noon for middle school age group and Thursday 14th Aug for 12 years and over. No need to book just turn up on the day at the Victoria Stadium sports hall.
Ju-jitsu taster on Wed & Fri 13th & 15th Aug 10am to 12 noon at Bayside school gym. Tel Sensei Tony Joaquin for further information on 79855.
Hockey Coaching Clinics – Mon 11th to Fri 15th August at the Water based pitch Victoria Stadium. Tel 76522 for further information.
Roller Hockey taster – Wed 10am to 12 noon at the Skate Park Coaling Island. Tel Eric Young on 70710 after 5pm for further information.
Badminton coaching sessions – Due to demand extra Badminton coaching sessions are being organised for middle school age children on Fri 15th, Mon 18th and Wednesday 20th Aug 10am to 12 noon at the Victoria Stadium. £1.00 per session. Tel Nick Peliza on 54401000 to book places and for further information.
Everyone over the age of 7 years is welcome to come along and join in the sports train activities and or the coaching courses mentioned above.
'Voting by post' plan
by our London correspondent
ALL Gibraltarians are likely to be allowed to vote by post in next year's European elections, under government plans to boost the turnout.
Ministers are preparing to announce legislation to allow the first ever all-postal ballots to elect MEPs heading to Brussels.
The move follows a recommendation by the independent Electoral Commission, which in turn followed a study of areas where all-postal ballots were tried out in this year's local elections.
Turnout was found to have increased by 50 per cent. Postal ballots were also found to be much more popular than voting by internet, telephone and text messaging.
However, all postal ballots cannot be introduced for all local elections unless they are also available in the European elections, which will be held on the same day in June.
And that requires fresh legislation, which would have to be rushed through parliament in just a few months at the start of the next session, in November.
A spokeswoman for the office of the deputy prime minister said: "We are encouraged that the Commission is supportive of our pilot schemes and want them rolled out nationally.
"We need to fully consider its report and consider whether we wish to expand those pilot schemes, which would need further legislation."
Although the spokeswoman was unable to commit the government to all-postal ballots, she said ministers were keen to "keep up the momentum" of the success of the May trials.
Gibraltarians will be eligible to vote next year following a landmark European Court judgement - now facing a possible challenge from Spain.
The Electoral Commission will recommend which Euro-constituency Gibraltar should be joined with by the end of August, with the south west the firm favourite.
Sam Younger, chairman of the Commission, said: "Our conclusion is that all-postal elections are ready to be made available to all local government elections in Great Britain.
"More than that, it actually should be the norm at local elections in the future."
The Commission accepted that the public was still wary about the security of the system, so it recommended replacing the current declaration of identity with a security statement on postal ballots.
National Geographic to film Gorham’s dig
by PANORAMA reporter
Both the National Geographic Magazine and its satellite TV station National Geographic are to send teams to Gibraltar this month to report on the latest archaeological works being carried in Gorham’s and Vanguard caves.
The new round of excavations will continue until the end of August, although work on analysing the relics will continue for two years, digging has previously been carried out in these caves in the 1950s and again in 1991, but the projects have received fresh impetus due to extra funding from the EU under a subdivision of Paleomed, part of the Interreg Programme which will see Clive Finlayson and other members of the Gibraltar Museum working with the Museo del Puerto Santa María and the Universidad de Huelva.
NEANDERTHAL
The objectives include looking closely at the Neanderthal level, deposited around 32,000 years ago when the caves were one of the last homes of the Neanderthals in the world. There have been previous signs of the ancient cave dwellers having started to exploit sea creatures for food, tools and decoration, with fossils of dolphins, monk seals and sea bream having been discovered in past digs.
In Gorham’s, the archaeologists will also be probing a slightly higher level from the Solutrean layer, dating back 20,000 years. This was a period known as a ‘glacial maximum’, a very cold period when most humans lived in the southern latitudes. Previous finds at this level include a bone necklace.
There will also be a fresh look at the Phoenician level, dating from between the 8th and 3rd centuries BC. The Phoenicians used Gorham’s as a shrine at the foot of the Pillars of Hercules but appear to have used Gibraltar solely for religious purposes, there being no sign of their having lived on the Rock. It is this level that has attracted special international interest, the caves being two of the most important sites in the Iberian Peninsula.
The cave investigations will also go back 40/50,000 years to examine not only how humans lived but to study the climate and the sea levels of the time, which fluctuated by up to one hundred
metres.
VISITORS
All finds arising from the digs will be permanently housed in the Gibraltar Museum, although Clive Finlayson said that some might be temporarily loaned to other faculties for examination. Around 30 people will be engaged in the work, with over 60 academic visitors expected during the month.
The caves are in a restricted MoD zone, which has contributed to their preservation, but the Gibraltar Museum has arranged for five people to be given a conducted tour as a prize in a special quiz which can be accessed now on
www.gibraltar.gi/museum/comp.htm. The quiz consists of one question, and the senders of the first five correct entries drawn will be invited on the tour.
More road works!
The Government’s road resurfacing programme continues, with people saying there must be something behind it! An election winner? Or what?
The latest is that works will commence at Governor’s Lane and Secretary’s Lane on Monday 11th July, with a duration of three weeks. The works will consist of the removal of the wearing course and resurfacing, laying of the infrastructure for the zebra crossing and minor works to the drainage system.
During the works, Governor’s Lane and Secretary’s Lane will be closed to all vehicular traffic, except for the Emergency Services and the owners of garages in the area. North bound traffic along Main Street will continue along Main Street from the junction with Governor’s Lane to Cathedral Square. At Cathedral Square it will turn east and travel along the road on the north side of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity up to the junction with Line Wall Road. Access to the Taxi Rank and the parking bays by the Bristol Hotel will be via Main Street. Secretary’s Lane, from its junction with Line Wall Road (Lovers Lane) to Governor’s Lane will be made a two-way only for the owners of garages in the area. All traffic diversions will be demarcated with portable traffic signs and signage will also be provided to warn pedestrians of vehicular tragic along Main Street, from Cathedral Square to the junction with Governor’s Lane.
Call for timely discussion and consultation on changes to exam system
The Labour party says it is concerned that "we in Gibraltar should keep abreast of a most important debate taking place in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, regarding Education in general and in particular the examination system in particular, on which the debate is centred”.
The debate has become more urgent as a result of the excessive number of examinations currently being taken by students of all ages, and the consequent narrowing of the curriculum in practice, as schools attempt to meet restrictive examination criteria at the expense of non-examinable subjects”, said Charlie Bishop.
A statement adds: It is also recognised that many students are being put under an intolerable strain by both the number and frequency of the examinations and tests.
A parallel debate, which is equally urgent, has been set off regarding the future of National Curriculum, GCSE, AS Level and A-Level qualifications. In the independent sector, some schools have already opted for radical departures from the established system – by no longer sitting GCSE examinations, for example, and moving on directly to AS Levels or introducing a baccalaureate examination. The Government has indicated that they propose widespread changes themselves.
“In view of the fact that Gibraltar’s education system is so closely linked to that of England and Wales, it is essential in our view that the Gibraltar Government should initiate timely consultation and discussion of the important issues that will arise for Gibraltar children, when as seems inevitable, a national curriculum is put in place in state schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, they add.
The party suggests that a consultative body representative of all educational interests should be set up with special representation from the teaching body and parents, to consider the realistic options that will become available to Gibraltar, and the extent to which any changes in the UK can be pro-actively applied in Gibraltar.
“There is no doubt that changes in the examination system will bring essential changes to education. We therefore call on the Gibraltar Government to set up the consultative body we suggest”.
We are not all millionaires, Opposition tell Caruana and Netto
The Opposition considers that the astronomical prices that people are being asked to pay for flats in developments like the new one at Shepherd's Marina is serving only to price Gibraltarians out of the market by pushing prices further upwards. "It is now a fact of life that first-time home buyers are finding it almost impossible to find property in Gibraltar and that an increasing number of Gibraltarians are being forced to live in Spain," said the GSLP/Liberal Alliance.
The latest news in relation to the high prices of property in this new development is in line with other projects for luxury flats which are already in the pipeline or under construction.
INCREASES
The Opposition has been drawing attention to the increase in property prices for a number of years. When the GSLP was in Government, there were also luxury construction projects built. However, at the same time as these developments were taking place, the number of units being built for the luxury end of the market was well outnumbered by the construction of thousands of affordable flats on reclaimed land for first time home owners, including on the popular 50/50 scheme. "The cardinal mistake made by the GSD Government is that for nearly eight years they have concentrated on luxury developments and abandoned the market for the construction of affordable flats for our people. In this respect Housing Minister Jaime Netto has a lot to answer for," said a statement.
They add: It adds insult to injury that shortly before an election the GSD should announce that they intend to build flats in North Mole and Devil's Tower Road when in fact not a brick will be laid before the next election and when they have completely failed to honour the commitment they already gave in 2000 to implement new 50/50 schemes for low-cost home ownership and that the flats would be sold at the cost of construction. In fact, this is almost word for word what they are now promising to do after the next election.
COMMITTED
A GSLP/Liberal Government is already fully committed to the construction of 750 affordable housing units for rental, outright purchase and 50/50 purchase in an effort to tackle the problem head-on. "What is totally unacceptable is that the new development projects that are being built or in the pipeline are beyond the reach of the bulk of ordinary Gibraltarians. Mr Caruana and Mr Netto must understand that most of us are not millionaires," said the Opposition.
Millionaires lured to the Rock by low taxes
Over 200 millionaires have already been attracted to the Rock of Gibraltar, lured by special tax deals. And more are coming.
In fact, 70 per cent of a new £30-million luxury, 115-apartment project in a yacht marina has been taken up by wealthy outsiders, even before the first brick goes up.
Two 'minor royals' and a number of international celebrities are among the purchasers, said the developers.
Unconfirmed reports say that one of the purchasers is the English football star David Beckham, who now plays for Real Madrid in Spain. Widespread rumours about it were confirmed by property developers and accountants, among others.
There are currently 240 'high net worth individuals' registered in Gibraltar, said a Gibraltar government spokesman.
Such individuals take advantage of low tax limits which the government here has introduced to encourage wealthy individuals to establish a residence in Gibraltar.
"The government will look more favourably on applicants who purchase luxury property rather than a purchaser of low-cost housing," said a spokesman at the ministry of trade and industry.
Such persons pay tax on the first £45,000 of assessable income only, with tax payable ranging from £10,000 to 19,750 annually. Only income received or remitted to Gibraltar is taxable.
A further attraction is that such individuals can still hold a Gibraltar tax exempt company. "The individual is able to make full use of Gibraltar's international financial centre whilst at the same time paying the prescribed low tax limits," say rules issued by the Gibraltar government.
There is no capital gains tax or estate duty payable.
Since the ownership of a luxury property is a pre-requisite to guarantee ' high net worth individual' status, any such property that comes on the market goes 'like hot dogs'.
UN told of Liberal support for Gibraltar
The Leader of the Liberal Party Dr Joseph Garcia has made representations to the Chairman of the United Nations Committee of 24 on the question of the decolonisation of Gibraltar. In a new departure, Dr Garcia has submitted as evidence the resolutions in support of self-determination adopted at a senior level by Liberal International and by the European Liberal Democrats at their respective conferences. It is hoped that this will be seen as adding international support to the struggle for our legitimate rights.
It will be recalled that at the Congress of the European Liberal Democrats which took place in the city of Bath in the United Kingdom, a lengthy and detailed resolution was overwhelmingly adopted in support of Gibraltar. The ELDR Party represents Liberal political parties in over 34 countries inside and outside the European Union. It includes Gibraltar as one of that number in our own right. Their resolution urged for "the resolution of the dispute between the United Kingdom, Spain and Gibraltar in line with democratic principles and liberal values to acknowledge the wishes of the people of Gibraltar and their right to self-determination." It went on to say that any such resolution cannot happen at the expense of the Treaty rights of the Gibraltarian people as Citizens of the Union and the territory of Gibraltar as the territory of the European Union and added that those rights should not be withheld if there is no Anglo-Spanish agreement or if that agreement is rejected. The European Liberal Democrats declared that "the liberal and democratic solution to the Gibraltar question is for the people of Gibraltar to democratically decide their own future, free of any external political pressure, and in exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination."
For its part, Liberal International is the global federation of Liberal political parties. It boasts representation in five continents of the world and comprises about sixty political member parties, just under half of which are in Government. Dr Garcia is a Vice President of Liberal International. At their Executive Committee meeting which took place in Gibraltar, a detailed resolution was adopted precisely on "The Second UN International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism." The resolution expressed the committment of Liberal International "to the cause of self-determination for all remaining colonial territories in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." It expressed concern at the continuation of third party territorial claims on dependent territories and urged the administering powers to support their colonial peoples. Liberal International also called upon the remaining administering powers to cooperate with the United Nations and respect the wishes of each territory in drawing up work programmes for their decolonisation.
Dr Garcia has told the Chairman of the Committee of 24 that the resolutions reflect the international Liberal position which is that self-determination must be the principle applied to all remaining colonies, including Gibraltar. The Liberal Leader has also asked for these resolutions to be circulated accordingly.
The Liberal Party consider that these resolutions are extremely relevant in the light of the latest developments in New York. They show that international support for the position of Gibraltar and other dependent territories exists, and that Liberal politicans and parties worldwide have taken a position on the issue. Indeed, the Liberal International is the first and only of the major political internationals in the world to have taken a stand in support of Gibraltar. The same can be said for the European Liberal Democrats (ELDR) at a Europe level. Dr Garcia said that he was hopeful that by sending these resolutions to the Committee of 24, it would add a completely new dimension to the arguments already put in our support.
Rock gets roasted in August heat
With temperatures beyond what is normal, the need to take precautions is advisable. And never a better moment to consult our weather forecast- which gives you details for the morning, the afternoon, evening and night. The complete weather forecast in these days of super-heat!
Temperatures in Gibraltar usually climb to their hottest in August. The last three years show that it was in excess of 24C in August, with the shoulder months of June, July and September also on the high side.
But Gibraltar's average annual temperature is around 18C.
This August, however, things are hotter than usual, and in nearby Spain, people have been dying. In Cordoba someone fried an egg in the sun. With temperatures exceeded 50C, nothing is a surprise!
Up the coast, the highest last month was 31C, the highest for 15 years. June was quite close.
Meteorologists say there is a persistent warm front having over this area.
To make matters worse, the levanter gives the impression of being here to stay!
Over £ 700 raised for Gibraltar
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association (SSAFA) held its annual Flag Day on Friday 25th July and with the help of Soldiers from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, and the Royal Naval Lunch, raised over £700. All the money donated during this event will be used to support serving and ex service men and women and their families in Gibraltar. There are two criteria for receiving assistance from SSAFA; Eligibility and Need. This is why SSAFA plays such an important role within the overall support network as the charity is often able to step in quickly when more formal methods of financial support are just not available or would take too long to meet the need.
Since the AGM in March SSAFA has given over £3000.00 to a number of individuals and causes. SSAFA make a difference and so need to continue to raise money in order that they can maintain this level of support. Thank you to all the committee members and to everyone in Gibraltar who kindly donated money.
Passport row: no excuse for Government not to have found out earlier
It is surprising that the Government found out that the visa waiver programme for all travellers to the US will cease to apply as from 1 October 2003 from a local travel agent and made no public statement on it until after this fact had been revealed otherwise.
The Labour party adds that these changes were brought into effect by the US Patriot Act of 2001 and is therefore something that the Government should have been aware of for the last two years. US State Department media releases over the last year including a communiqué dated 16 June 2003 highlighted the impending changes and these have also been posted on the US State Department website at www.travel.state.gov for some time.
It had also been the subject media coverage locally.
"It is, therefore, surprising given the resources of Government that it only made a public statement about this after it was raised by opposition parties in Gibraltar and that it was not in a position to make an announcement earlier.
The result is that less than two months before these changes are to take effect, anyone holding a UK passport issued in Gibraltar will need a visa because passports issued here are not machine readable.
This potentially disrupts people's holiday and it is nothing short of incompetence on the part of the Government in not keeping itself and people informed in timely manner," said Joe Bishop.
Jazz goes on
Jazz goes on at the Eliott Hotel every Thursday evening from 8p.m and continues to entertain a wide audience.
Last Thursday saw the return of Stephen French Davis on piano and vocals, James Ballantine on drums (soon off to join a Guards division in the British Army as a musician) and Denis Mander on double bass.
The trio were joined in both sets by Stephanie Rodriguez who, having now sung at the Thursday jazz evenings for several week’s is now broadening her programme and delighting audiences with her fine voice.
This week sees Steven “Stick” Cook on piano, having played drums a few week’s ago and being also an accomplished bass player- is a very useful guy to have around.
On drums will be Cesar , a professional drummer from Estepona and on double bass George Posso who is responsible for putting groups together each week and who is always looking for new musicians either visiting or local to provide a varied programme of music each week. They hope to be joined again by Stephanie who will provide an excellent ingredient to the swinging jazz that we have enjoyed each Thursday at the Eliott Hotel.
U.S. visa waiver changes
The United States Government has announced that, with effect from October 2003, all citizens of countries are eligable for the US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which includes British Citizens, wishing to enter the US without a Visa must habe a machine-readable passport (MRP). Furthermore we understand that children must have their own passport; children currently included in a parent’s passport will need a visa for the US, even if the parent’s passport is itself machine-readable, says a statement from The Convent.
The change to US requirements will only affect holders of a British Citizen passport as British Overseas Territories Citizens are not currently eligible for visa-free entry to the US under the existing VWP.
Anyone wishing to have full details of the changed US requirements or guidance on how to apply for a US visa will find this information on the website of the US Embassy in London: www.usembassy.org.uk or in the Travel Advice section of the Foreign and Commonwealth’ Office’s website: www.fco.gov.uk
Governements press release indicated that UK issued machine readable passports can be obtgained through the Civil Status and Registration office.
Alternatively, British Citizens resident in Gibraltar who do not wish to obtain a US visa, or for whom the process may be too time-consuming, have the option of applying in person for a machine readable passport from any UK Passport Office. This should be processed during the course of a working day assuming that the application is straightfoward. Thus by adding a day in the UK (for example in London) those who already hold a British Citizens passport, though not those with the BOTC passport, should be able to change to the new machine readable format with almost no delay. Details, including of the relevant fee, are available on the UK Passport Service website:
www.ukps.gov.uk
Affordable housing for ordinary people in ‘crisis’
The Reform Party says that it regards the local shortage of affordable housing for ordinary people to be at an intolerable crisis level.”
“In Gibraltar, we are well experienced as a community in providing expensive luxury flats and houses for the comparatively rich” said a party spokesman “ But the perennial problem remains that young Gibraltarians on ordinary incomes don’t usually have any real chance these days of starting out on the ladder to buy their own homes. Trying to rent is almost as bad, given the sky-high charges. As these younger people grow older the problem, unless action is taken, will just get worse.”
FORCED
Like many others, they add, we find it appalling that so many local people are forced to live in Spain or with older relatives because that’s all they can afford. This situation is not new; everybody knows about it. Government plans to build affordable homes, while welcome, are too little too late. Much more needs to be done.
In the meantime, there are some temporary measures which could be undertaken to ease the situation while waiting for new buildings to be completed. However, everyone must be clear that they are of course not alternatives to essential new construction and must never be used as excuses to delay it:
1. Tax exemptions /reductions on rented accommodation provided in private homes and hotels. Encouragement for the Bed and Breakfast sector.
2. Speeding up of the present procedures dealing with empty Government housing. At any one time, how many flats are vacant ? How many potential units are awaiting urgent repairs ?
Hastening the repair cycle by employing extra staff if necessary.
3. An investigation into the exact number of people who are still hanging on
to previous Government housing after having accepted new housing units. There may be comparatively few cases of such abuse but even one such instance is one too many.
4. Compulsory purchase orders of private property by the Government in extreme cases of houses or flats left empty for long periods of time. The existing Land
Acquisition Ordinance, although dormant, does exist and could be applied to this purpose.
5. Temporary hostel accommodation for the single homeless. It is dangerous to assume that there is no need for this because there will always be family support. There won’t.
The Reform Party concluded its remarks on Housing by stating that in its view desperate situations sometimes required radical remedies and this is one of those times.
Petrol without payment
A UK national appeared at the Magistrate Court on Monday charged with two counts of “Making Off Without Payment” and was fined a total of £500. He had filled his vehicle with petrol but did not pay for it.
Clayton Del Socket, Hereford, England, was on Friday at the Frontier Loop Roadway, arrested by uniformed officers of the Royal Gibraltar Police on suspicion of Making Off Without Payment after a report was received from the duty manager at Safeway Petrol Station to the effect that the defendant had filled his vehicle with £52.63 petrol and left without payment.
Further enquiries revealed that the defendant had committed a similar offence on the 27th June, when at the time, he left without making payment for £48.43 worth of petrol, also from Safeway’s Petrol Station.
“Police investigation into the alleged offences revealed that the defendant had changed his vehicle’s registration number and his clothing to avoid detection by Police following video images recorded by CCTV cameras installed at the petrol station forecourt,” said the RGP.
Del Socket was charged with two counts of Making Off Without Payment, one count of fraudulently altering his vehicle’s registration number plate and going equipped for theft.
At the Magistrate’s Court, Del Socket pleaded guilty as charged and was fined £200 for each count of Making Off Without Payment and £100 for fraudulently altering his vehicle’s registration number plate. The charge of going equipped for theft was withdrawn by the prosecutor.
Countdown for Gibraltar euro seat
Yesterday at 5.30pm was the final countdown for the people of Gibraltar and the UK, to submit letters of support for the region they want to represent the Rock in a new Euro seat next year.
The South West of England has led a very vocal campaign to hook up with the British enclave. And is hoping the Electoral Commission will pick the Westcountry later this month.
Campaigners in the Western Peninsula have collected petitions for support, held demonstrations, mid night vigils, toured the corridors of power, and travelled thousands of miles to lobby for the South West region.
Supporters in the West believe the geographical, military, garrison, naval, fishing, and coastal similarities are the ideal choice. Our regional distinctions are a major plus. Together with our shared history, and family bonds that go back nearly 300 years.
Kevin Kelway Group coordinator of the Devon-based Golden Hinde Association said: "If London wins it will be because of behind closed doors secret lobbying. Our fight has been open, & transparent. And crucially, from the hearts of local Westcountry folk who believe in a British Gibraltar".
"Both regions would benefit in a combined voice in Brussels and Europe. With Gibraltar`s international reputation in financial trading. And business opportunities in Europe and North Africa that will boost the South West Region globally".
Electoral Commissioners will make a public announcement in Gibraltar on August 27th, and the Government will pick the winning region in mid-September.
Meanwhile a Westcountry delegation from the Golden Hinde Association will be visiting the Rock and attending the `National Day` celebrations on September 10th. We are hoping to meet the Chief Minister Peter Caruana, and lobby for support from the Gibraltar Government to back our campaign for the `George Cross Medal` to be awarded to the citizens of Gibraltar.
Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell has already promised to put an `early day motion` down on the floor of the House of Commons in backing the Westcountry initiative.
Kevin Kelway added: "Our group is arriving on the 8th of Sept, and leaving on the 12th. We are funding the visit ourselves. And underlines our sheer commitment to the Rock, and the cause of keeping Gibraltar British".
Hughes pushes for Gibraltar to join with London
Simon Hughes Mp, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, London Mayoral Candidate and long-time supporter of Gibraltar, has called on the Electoral Commission to recommend that Gibraltar join the London constituency for the purposes of elections to the European Parliament.
In a submission to the Commission, Mr Hughes said,
"People throughout Britain welcome the extension of representation in the European Parliament to the people of Gibraltar after a long and hard campaign. Now we must ensure that Gibraltar's voice Is heard effectively and represented well In the Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg.
"Gibraltar's strongest ties with the UK are with London - the heart of Britain's finance and commercial sectors and of its history and links with its overseas territories.
"London's MEP's already represent the UK's most diverse community with people from all faiths and ethnic groups, and speaking many different languages - including the principal religions practised and languages spoken in Gibraltar. Gibraltar's own unique heritage would fit in well with the wonderful mix of cultures which London represents.
"Gibraltar's Interests are clearly best served by joining It with London for representation in the European Parliament. and would be represented best by this great city's
MEP's."
Stormy weather at Western Beach
With the Government taking over responsibility for western beach, the need to protect the wildlife conservation value of the area has been highlighted.
Western Beach contains Gibraltar’s only surviving active sand dune, with associated plant and animal life. It is the only beach remaining in Gibraltar which retains some natural vegetation and is a relic of the wildlife community of the isthmus, which has now all but disappeared. Many of the species found there are protected, said GONHS.
GONHS is approaching the Gibraltar Tourist Board, which presumably will be taking over the management of Western Beach, with a view to ensuring that its value as a natural habitat is preserved and that steps are in fact taken to enhance it.
It follows a statement at the weekend by the tourism ministry, which said that the government and the MOD “have reached an agreement in relation to western beach that enables the government to take over full responsibility for that beach.”
The government also said that it welcomed the agreement, although it has not explained why this is so.
The differences that emerged between the government and the MoD over Western beach centred on the fact that the MOD said it would allow public use of the beach so long as the government accepted responsibility for cleaning it.
Said the government at the weekend: The government will now provide cleaning facilities to ensure the upkeep and proper maintenance of the beach and full beach facilities will be available as from next year.
What the government has not said, however, is if the ownership of the beach has been transferred from the MOD to the Gibraltar government, which is what the government was after in its negotiations with the MOD.
If the government has simply agreed to accept responsibility for cleaning and controlling the beach, than it is difficult to see why they welcome the agreement as they have not achieved what they set out to achieve.
On the other hand, if ownership has been transferred from the MOD, then they should say so.
For the moment, the way it looks is that the beach remains an MOD area which the public will be allowed to use given that the Gibraltar government is to clean it up.
PARKING PROBLEM
Meanwhile, eyebrows have also been raised over a separate announcement which said that the Rotunda car park will be reserved for western beachgoers openly.
This raises questions about discrimination. “It would be the same if parking at eastern beach was reserved for people using eastern beach,” said a complainant.
THE GREAT PASSPORT ROW
Passports: We know nothing, says Govt
The Government has received no formal notification from the Consular Directorate of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office that the visa waiver programme for all travellers to the US will cease to apply on 1 October this year to holders of passports which are not machine readable, said a statement from the Civil-status and Registration Office.
The statement adds: The Government was recently alerted to this possibility by a local travel agent who was making advance arrangements for clients planning to travel to the US later this year.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office Consular Directorate was contacted and they confirmed that the US had unilaterally decided to withdraw their visa waiver scheme without consulting those countries, including the UK, which are covered by the visa waiver programme. Detailed guidance was to issue by the UK to all consular posts and overseas territories, including Gibraltar, but no formal notification had been received until this afternoon. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office is expected to issue guidance on this subject tomorrow.
Passports issued in Gibraltar are not machine readable and therefore the withdrawal of the visa waiver scheme for the US would affect holders of British Passports issued to British Citizens in Gibraltar who plan to travel to the US on or after 1 October this year.
It is understood that this is the first time that a country, in this case the US, will withdraw a visa waiver at short notice to all countries whose passports are not machine readable.
During the past year, Gibraltar has been making preparations to introduce in 2004 computerised passports with enhanced security standards. This follows an EU Resolution requiring all member states to introduce minimum security standards in travel documents by 1 January 2006. Although this Resolution does not require passports to be machine readable, the new system to be introduced for Gibraltar will not only comply with the Resolution but will produce machine readable passports.
In the meantime, persons who wish to obtain a machine readable passport issued in the UK should call at the Civil Status and Registration Office, Joshua Hassan House, Secretary’s Lane or telephone the Office at 51725 or 76945.
New travel requirements: Why the lack of information?
The Opposition says it believes that passport holders in Gibraltar and travel agents who are responsible for making their travel arrangements to the United States should have been made aware by the Government of the new requirements being introduced from 1 October this year. All passports issued in Gibraltar, including those issued to British citizens, will require a visa from the United States consular authorities in London in order to enter the United States.
This is as a result of the USA deciding that as part of the exercise of tightening surveillance on entry points into the country, it will require passport holders who until now have been exempt from visa requirements, to have machine-readable passports. These are passports that carry a bar-coded information strip which is read by a computer and contains all the details of the holder of the passport.
“It seems that in the United Kingdom passports issued have had this bar-code for a number of years. Therefore persons that hold United Kingdom passports and who are British citizens and have therefore not required a visa for the USA until now will not be affected.
However, the position at present is that passports issued to British citizens in Gibraltar do not carry the bar code and therefore will not comply with the new requirements from 1 October.
Gibraltarians that have not given up their British Overseas Territories Citizenship in order to acquire British citizenship have always required a visa anyway and their position does not change,” they say.
The US requirements apply to other EU Member States as well.
In Spain, Spanish nationals who wish to change their passports for machine-readable ones have been advised that they can do so in order to avoid having to obtain a visa which can be a lengthy and expensive process.
In Gibraltar’s case it tends to be even lengthier and even more expensive given that we have to go through London.
“IRRESPONSIBLE”
The Opposition thinks it is completely irresponsible of the relevant authorities in Gibraltar not to have taken steps to either provide for the possibility to change the passports to those who request it, or to announce it early enough so that people affected can make arrangements to deal with the consequences of the change.
It is clear that there are bound to be Gibraltar-resident holiday-makers who have been provided with holiday packages unknowingly by travel agents and if nothing is done would find themselves with the problem of entry into the United States from 1 October. Naturally, persons in these circumstances would tend to blame the travel agent who they would expect to know about the change and the effect on Gibraltar-issued British passports.
The GSLP/Liberal Opposition adds: The fact is that the responsibility lies with the Government who should have taken the necessary steps to alert people of the change and who should now take the necessary action given that there are only two months left, to provide a solution to this problem.
SDGG’s self-determination campaign in Spain
The SDGG says it has led in the local organisation of a visit by the Cadiz MP Jose Ignacio Landaluce, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Commis-sions for Defence (since 15 Oct 2001) and Foreign Affairs (since 20 April 2003).
“This visit is the first of a series of such visits and is the culmination of five years of work by the SDGG in the neighbouring region.
In 1998, after six years of intensive activity within Gibraltar, the SDGG announced that for a time it would attempt to pursue the cause of Gibraltar’s right to self-determination outside Gibraltar,” said a spokesman.
The group adds: This campaign is exclusively aimed at persuading Spain at every level of society that it should abandon its claim to our territory, Gibraltar, which would render all negotiation on sovereignty unnecessary. The SDGG announced this aspect of its campaign in detail in Gibraltar in 2002 and is in correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the United Nations Special Committee in pursuit of this objective.
The SDGG was pleased in this respect to see that a recent poll in Spain shows an improvement in the attitude of the general public throughout Spain towards our right to self-determination over the poll which the group organised in 1995 which showed 27% support for our right to self-determination in the Madrid area.
The current SDGG campaign has so far included a visit to the UN to address the ‘Committee of 24’, where it was among the first to request a visit to Gibraltar by the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation to Gibraltar in 1999, and leading a group representing all political parties to Downing Street to hand in the petition against the Matutes proposals in 2001, as well as meetings with Messrs. Jones Parry, Hain, Straw, MacShane and the Foreign Affairs Committee during 2002 and 2003.
In the neighbouring area the SDGG has focussed on appearances on the local radio and TV programmes of three nearby towns on a weekly basis for the two years 2001 and 2002, attempting to persuade public opinion in the area of our right to self-determination and taking with it members of other pressure groups and the political parties, who have given unstinting support to this coordinated effort. During the weekend visit, and those which will follow these other Groups and political parties, including the Voice of Gibraltar will again be actively involved.
Chief Minister goes on holiday - quietly
The Chief Minister Peter Caruana went on holiday at the weekend, but without any announcement about it.
It is known that when Mr Caruana was asked to be present at the official opening of the new perfume shop, the event had to be organised with inordinate haste on Thursday so that the 'opening' could take place on the Friday before Mr Caruana went on holiday.
The first official notion that Mr Caruana had left was a Press Release issued by No.6 Convent Place late on Friday which came from "the acting Chief Minister Keith Azopardi."
It was not said for how long Mr Azopardi will be acting.
No change in Anglo-Spanish position, says Palacio
In the wake of the Foreign Affairs Committee report, nothing has changed, says the Spanish foreign minister Ana Palacio.
She thought the report contains nothing new (presumably nothing new that she would like to hear!) and that it was badly timed.
She added that the Foreign Office spokesman had reacted quickly, rejecting the report's recommendation that joint sovereignty should be scrapped.
"Clearly the position of the British and the Spanish government has not changed and we are pursuing the goal of reaching a satisfactory solution to the question," she said.
She tried to undermine the report's importance by saying that it was shorter than on previous occasions and that it had been put together by the committee's 12 members.
Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that the UK press has highlighted the rejection of joint sovereignty, while the Spanish media highlights what the Foreign Office spokesman said about joint sovereignty remaining UK policy.
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