PROVOCATION!

The tercentenary thanksgiving service in London this week has been described as a provocation in Spain. There is criticism that a London church should have been used to argue in favour of Gibraltar's British sovereignty.

"The pulpit in the London church of St Clement Danes was converted into an improvised platform for the claim of British sovereignty over Gibraltar," said the Madrid daily El Mundo which, of late, has been airing the views of the Spanish foreign ministry.

The pretext Caruana found to put forward his claims is particularly "provocative and offensive" to Spain, said an editorial in the paper: The commemoration of the third century of the conquest of the Rock by an Anglo-Dutch force, which claimed to be loyal to the archduke Charles of Austria - rival of Felipe V of Borbon in the bloody war of succession to the Spanish throne - which committed a shameless act of piracy clothed in patriotism in taking possession of the fortress in the name of Queen Anne.

It was not surprising, adds the editorial, the presence of Margaret Thatcher, whose exacerbated nationalism, amplified by senility, often provides the Conservative party with reasons to be ashamed of.

The paper sees it more worrying that the present Conservative leader, Michael Howard, should have attended. It would have been better for him to have renounced the 'patriotic demagoguery' in case, one day, he is obliged to have recourse to the pragmatism, without which, it will be impossible to find a peaceful solution to the Gibraltar dispute - as Tony Blair and his foreign secretary Jack Straw know full well.

Both Blair and Straw receive congratulatory remarks for having been politically astute in declining the invitation from Caruana.

Not content with that, the paper continues with its strong line and says that Blair would have made his willingness to negotiate with Spain even clearer had members of his government not attended.

The presence of Foreign Office minister Baroness Symons and defence minister Ingram provide reasons for Spain to lodge a formal protest.

The paper then goes on to say that, as Aznar said recently, it is a great pity that Blair should have sacrificed the possibility of reaching a historic agreement with Spain to satisfy the llanitos.

With elections in Spain round the corner, Gibraltar issue has taken second place. But a resolution to the dispute must be a priority of the next Spanish government which Blair showed signs of understanding when he agreed to resume the talks with Rajoy after the 14 March elections, it says.

Tercentenary questions in Commons

Mr. Robert Syms (Poole) (Con): What steps will he be taking to celebrate the 300th anniversary of British possession of Gibraltar.

The Minister for Europe (Mr. Denis MacShane): As I told the House before Christmas, I look forward to the celebrations of the arrival of English and Dutch ships in Gibraltar 300 years ago. The royal family, Ministers, hon. Members, and all friends of Gibraltar will enjoy these events, which have started this morning—even as I speak—with the service of thanksgiving that is taking place at St. Clement Danes. Units of Her Majesty's armed forces will take part in a total of more than 20 events throughout the year. I spoke this morning to the Chief Minister, Mr. Caruana, and welcomed in particular his offer to fly out 500 veterans to enjoy the hospitality of Gibraltar.

Mr. Syms : Given the Government's recent rather shabby treatment of the people of Gibraltar, the 300th anniversary of British rule is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the relationship between Gibraltar and this country. Should we not be doing more to celebrate this wonderful occasion?

Mr. MacShane: I do not want to repeat my answer, but the celebrations will involve the royal family, Ministers, 20 different occasions in which the armed forces will participate, Members of Parliament, veterans—and myself. I can think of nothing more.

Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): May I urge the Minister, as part of the celebrations, to visit Madrid, and particularly the Gibraltar tourism office in Madrid, to try to encourage more Spaniards to visit Gibraltar? In the end, it is only when we have a proper relationship between Gibraltar and Spain, as well as Gibraltar and Britain, that we will provide a secure economic future for the people of Gibraltar.

Mr. MacShane: I convey that message to my opposite numbers in Madrid, and have done so consistently since I took responsibility for the area. We should not forget the more than 500,000 British citizens, many of whom live close to Gibraltar on the Andalusian coast, who live in perfect harmony and happiness in Spain. If we can move forward in a spirit of tolerance and harmony, and try to find agreement rather than making maximum cheap political capital out of the matter—as, I would gently say, some members of the Opposition Front Bench do—we will all move forward much more successfully.

Mr. Richard Spring (West Suffolk) (Con): I suggest to the Minister that the best way the Government could celebrate Gibraltar's 300th anniversary would be to apologise publicly for trying so energetically and unethically to dump Gibraltar. Does he not see any irony in the fact that at a time when the Home Secretary is inviting new citizens to recognise their Britishness, 30,000 British citizens have been treated entirely differently? More specifically, will the hon. Gentleman explain why this morning's church service in London to celebrate our historic relationship with Gibraltar is shamefully marked by the absence of senior Cabinet Ministers, including the Prime Minister? What a disgraceful snub.

Mr. MacShane: I regret the hon. Gentleman's tone, which is not up to his normal amiable style. Last week in the Daily Mail, the right hon. and learned Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram), the shadow Foreign Secretary was reported as saying that he

"regretted he would miss the service... because he would have to"

be at the House. But of course now that the words "shameless opportunism" and the Conservative party have become completely intertwined, the hon. Gentleman has done another U-turn. There is good news for the people of Gibraltar, however. The Conservative party in Kensington and Chelsea has selected Sir Malcolm Rifkind as its candidate. When he returns to the House, as I expect he will after the election next year, he will sit on the Opposition Front Bench, and at long last there may be some consistency, principle and style on foreign policy questions from the Conservative party.

Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock) (Lab): I have a better idea for celebrating the 300th anniversary of Gibraltar: the UK Government should robustly resist the temerity and audacity of Spain, which is not only trying to frustrate the construction of the franchise in Gibraltar but is seeking to deprive millions of voters in the UK of the opportunity to vote in the European elections, in Blackburn and elsewhere: it wants to prevent Commonwealth citizens voting in the European elections both in Gibraltar and in the UK.

Mr. MacShane: That move, if it comes to pass, will be stoutly resisted. Let us not forget that in the other place we witnessed the shameless opportunism of both the main Opposition parties in trying to deny the constituents of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and others elsewhere the right to a postal ballot. Unelected peers—hereditary peers—voted to stop the British people exercising their votes duly in the election. The real scandal is the anti-democratic behaviour of the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.

Business and Commerce Advisory Council

The Minister for Trade, Industry and Communications, Joe Holliday, yesterday announced the appointment of a new Council to advise him on business and commercial matters. "The members have wide experience of many issues which impact on business and commerce in Gibraltar," he said.

The members are Mr Kerry Blight, Mrs Marilou Guerrero, Mr John Isola, Mr John Risso, Mr Tim Streatfield-James and Mr Tony Welsh. Mr Richard Garcia, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Communications also sits on the Council, as does Mr Edwin Poggio, Head of the Business Advisory Unit, who is additionally the Secretary to the Council.

Appointments to the Council are for two years. Members are appointed on a personal basis and not in a representative capacity. The Council will meet quarterly.

"There are many issues that are of importance to small and medium enterprises in Gibraltar, and to commerce in general, on which the advice of the Council will be of assistance to the Government. There are many pieces of legislation, covering a wide range of matters, on which the Government welcomes input from the business sector. There are opportunities to explore how the business environment can be further improved to create additional sustainable jobs in the economy," says a statement.

It adds: "The Government has always been sensitive to the needs of the private sector, in order to grow the economy and create more sustainable jobs for Gibraltarians," said Mr Holliday. "Already, there is a raft of schemes to provide assistance to the business sector in a variety of ways, from rates relief and EU-funding through to capital projects and the creation of new industrial spaces. The working environment and customer experiences in Gibraltar have been changing rapidly over the last few years. I believe that this Council will serve as an important public/private sector partnership to progress issues which are of mutual interest."

Gibraltar played significant contribution in WW2, says New Zealand

THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT HAS praised the 'considerable courage' of the people of Gibraltar in the Second World War.

The Defence Minister the Hon Mark Burton writing to campaigners in Britain fighting for the Rock to receive the George Cross for gallantry said: 

"There can be no doubt that the people of Gibraltar showed considerable courage during the Second World World, and made a significant contribution to the Allied war effort". 

The Minister said: "Any new official recognition of this would would, however, be a matterfor the British government to decide". 

In a letter to Kevin Kelway of the Golden Hinde Association he added: "I would, however, point out to you that for many years it has been the policy of Common-wealth governments not to award new honours or gallantry decorations for actions during the Second WorldWar".

Kevin Kelway said: "What a remarkable tribute from the Government of New Zealand to the people of Gibraltar in it's 300th birthday anniversary year. 

Especially, underlining the significant role the Rock played in the Second World War".

"British campaigners will be intensifying our campaign in the UK for Gibraltar to receive to the George Cross from the Queen with a 'Grand Committee to be set up' of the great & good & to focus exclusively on winning this bravery award for the people of the Rock".

Russians to discuss Gibraltar with Spain

Gibraltar is expected to be high on the agenda as Russia and Spain held a bilateral meetings this week.

Elections are taking place in both Spain and Russia this month. Acting Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov of Russia has been visiting Spain, ending today. The visit has been described as a "routine, scheduled visit." 

Mr. Ivanov was addressing students of a Spanish business school. Trade was high on the agenda. This is because trade between the two countries is not what they would like it to be.

Officials in Moscow described the speech to be of much significance as it would give the Spanish business community an idea of what the economic situation in Russia is really like at the moment. 

PALACIO

Mr. Ivanov was also meeting with his Spanish counterpart, Ana Palacio. As is expected, the two ministers will discuss Russia's relations with the European Union and also issues relating to Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. According to a press briefing held in Moscow before the minister left for Spain, "Gibraltar and Western Sahara settlement might also be high on the Ivanov-Palacio agenda."

Junta backs anti-Gib bunkering move

The Andalusian regional government, the Junta, says it backs the central govenrment to take all the necessary measures to stop the bunkering that goes on in the Gibraltar area.

The Junta have in the past adopted a similar position, said a spokesman after a Junta meeting in Seville yesterday.

Spanish sources continue to say that the EU has taken legal action against the bunker-ship Vermaoil, which replaced the Willington.

The row centres on whether the new vessel is, in fact, a double-hulled tanker, which the Spaniards claim it is not.

People in different countries seem to think that the Gibraltar operations are illegal, even if they are not. •What they are saying in Nigeria, see page 7.

Stress machine lying idle since last year

The Opposition says that they have been approached by a number of patients complaining about the waiting list for a stress test at St Bernard’s Hospital. "These patients have informed us that there is a stress machine at the Primary Care Centre and that it has been lying idle there since last year," they say.

They add: We have now had confirmation from the Users Forum, one of the donors, that indeed there is a stress machine that was donated by themselves and other private companies and that to date the machine is not being used.

"We have also been told that the only requirement for the use of this medical equipment is that the test should be carried out in the presence of a medical practitioner. 

"We therefore find the situation totally unacceptable and urge the Government to take immediate steps so that patients, who are now having to wait for weeks to have a stress test taken, are seen to at the Primary Care Centre, as soon as possible, ,thus bringing down the waiting list. A stress machine is an important piece of medical equipment, since it identifies the condition of the heart of a patient."

NOT FIRST TIME

The Alliance says that this is not the first time that patients have approached the Opposition with complaints that members of the GHA have informed them that there is medical equipment gathering dust in several departments. 

The latest they were able to identify was through a question in the last meeting of the House, when the Government confirmed that there was an emergency dialysis machine at St Bernard’s, which had been there for years and had not been used.

If the GHA have medical equipment just lying idle, surely it is the responsibility of the Government to look at finding solutions which can only improve the quality of service provided to patients, and if this means that staff have to be sent to the UK in order to qualify in using some of this equipment, then the extra insignificant expenditure will surely be worth it. 

"This problem was also identified by the latest report of the medical review team, which highlighted the fact that the staff of the GHA are not properly trained to use some of the equipment which exists within St Bernard’s," says a Press release.

However, as far as the stress machine is concerned, there is no training required, and we therefore call upon the Government to confirm that the stress machine will soon be functioning at the Primary Care Centre, as we have been told that the majority of medical practitioners working there, would welcome the use of it.

Nearly £2 million on buses that are going nowhere fast

The provision of new buses for Gibraltar has been "totally mishandled" by the Government. 

The Government has spent nearly two million pounds of taxpayers money on buses which are still not operational and which are clearly too large for our roads.

An Opposition statement adds: It will be recalled that before the General Election last year the Government trumpeted that they had ordered new buses for Gibraltar and these were expected on our roads soon afterwards. 

One such bus made the rounds of Gibraltar's streets during the General Election campaign and then disappeared from our roads after the election.

When the Opposition raised the issue in the House of Assembly in January this year, the Government told the House that they expected to make an announcement shortly about when the new bus service would be operated. 

We are now over one and a half months later and no announcement has been made.

WRONG SIZE

The Opposition also raised the issue of the size of the buses both inside and outside the House of Assembly, given that the buses ordered by the Government were illegal because they were of larger dimensions than allowed by the law. 

The Government replied at the time that all buses operating in

Gibraltar were oversize and that the law would have to be changed in order to accomodate the new buses they had ordered. 

The impression given was that this was a mere paper exercise.

It is now abundantly clear to everyone in Gibraltar that this is no mere paper formality as the Government had originally implied. 

There are parts of Gibraltar, which coincide with the routes that the new buses will take, were pavements are being broken down and narrowed, and were parking spaces are being removed precisely in order to accommodate the buses.

It is totally misleading for the Government to suggest that all buses operating in Gibraltar are oversized when this kind of road-widening exercise had never had to be undertaken before for any bus presently on our streets. 

The cost of the works currently taking place to make our roads suitable for the new buses will have to be added on to the nearly £ 2 million cost of buying the buses in the first place.

MESS 

The Government therefore have made a complete mess, says the Opposition. 

"It smacks of inexcusable incompetence that they should first order the buses, and comit public funds to this exercise, and then have to tailor the law of Gibraltar and the roads of Gibraltar to the size of the buses that they ordered. In any other part of the world the Minister's head would roll," they say.

SNUBBED!

* British Govt snubs Gibraltar Govt
* Gibraltar Govt snubs Gibraltar opposition

Snubbed! That's the world that aptly described the first tercentenary event in Britain.Everyone appears to have been snubbing everyone else!

The British government snubbed the Gibraltar government by not sending senior ministers to the thanksgiving service in London yesterday.

And the Gibraltar government, for its part, snubbed the Gibraltar opposition and other local parties by not inviting them to the service.

In fact, opposition leader Joe Bossano was himself not invited - nor has he been consulted about the various tercentenary events.

It is also known that the Governor, Sir Francis Richards, was not invited either. He represents The Queen in Gibraltar and is the custodian of Gibraltar's sovereignty.

If as many as 800 from UK were invited to the service, how come representative bodies from Gibraltar were ignored? That is the question being asked.

Press facilities for the Gibraltar press as a whole were said to have been badly lacking. Another snub!

What a way to start the tercentenary celebrations! 

UK government asked to apologise in Commons debate

By Ian Drury in London

TONY Blair was accused of delivering a "disgraceful snub" to Gibraltar over his failure to attend a church service marking 300 years of British rule.

The UK Prime Minister angered Conservative MPs by refusing to join the congregation at St Clement Danes church in London yesterday.

Leading politicians including Chief Minister of Gibraltar Peter Caruana, Conservative leader Michael Howard and Baroness Symons, of the ruling Labour Party, gave readings at the celebration.

But Mr Blair's decision to stay away was condemned in the Houses of Parliament.

CONTROVERSIAL

The issue of sovereignty of the Rock remains controversial with Gibraltar's government fiercely opposing moves by foreign secretary Jack Straw to reach agreement with Spain on the subject.

During Commonwealth Questions in the Commons, the Conservative's Europe spokesman Richard Spring said: "The best way for the Government to celebrate Gibraltar's 300th anniversary would be to apologise publicly for trying energetically and unethically to dump them.

"Does he not see the irony that while Home Secretary David Blunkett is inviting new citizens to recognise their Britishness, 30,000 British citizens on Gibraltar have been treated totally differently?

"And more specifically, can he explain why the church service to celebrate Britain's historic relationship with Gibraltar has been shamefully marred by the absence of the Prime Minister?

"What a disgraceful snub."

OPPORTUNISM

But the UK's Europe Minister Denis MacShane accused the Tories of "shameless opportunism" and said Britain's Royal Family, Government and MPs were taking part in more than 20 events celebrating the tercentenary.

Labour MP Chris Bryant urged the minister to visit Gibraltar's tourism office in Madrid to encourage more Spaniards to visit the Rock.

Nurturing a "proper relationship" between Spain and Gibraltar would "really go towards providing a secure economic future" for the colony, he said.

Mr MacShane said he hoped to see a "tolerant, harmonious and agreeable" relationship."

Meanwhile, at the church service Mr Caruana spoke of his people's desire to remain British.

He said: "We wish to respect our neighbour Spain but Gibraltarians wish to remain part of the Great British family."

Last year an influential group of MPs warned a joint sovereignty deal for Gibraltar was wrong in principle and unworkable.

A poll of Gibraltarians in 2002 rejected a proposal for shared UK-Spanish sovereignty.

The Rock was captured from Spain in 1704 during the war of Spanish succession by a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet.

GSD 'mishandle' MOT issue, says Opposition

The Opposition considers that the news that MOT tests will be once every two years as from 1 May 2004 is very long overdue. The Government announced that this would happen at the budget session last year and have failed to implement it until nearly a year later. The whole things has been mishandled.

It will be recalled that when the GSD Government decided to introduce MOT tests once a year, the Opposition pointed out that this went further than the requirement of the EU Directive on the subject. This allowed for MOT tests on vehicles up to once every two years. At the time the Government argued that they were going further than the requirements of the directive for safety reasons and they refused to listen to the sensible arguments being put forward by the Opposition for a test once every two years.

SAFETY

The Government's announcement that MOT tests will be once every two years as from 1 May 2004 shows that their original decision cannot have possibly been motivated by safety concerns, given that by their own arguments what they propose to do now would be unsafe. It is a more likely scenario that they stubbornly refused to make this change earlier because the Opposition made it a campaign issue, and for the Government to have changed its position was tantamount to an admission that they were wrong and the Opposition was right.

INCONVENIENCE

In the meantime the motoring public of Gibraltar has had to put up with the considerable inconvenience and expense of MOT tests on annual basis because the GSD Government refused to see reason. It will be recalled that additional facilities had to be deployed in order to cope with the high demand of annual tests. This became an administrative nightmare. It was very common for persons booking a test not to receive an appointments for many months after the MOT certificate had expired. Through no fault of their own, motorists were unable to use their vehicles in Spain during that period, and could do so in Gibraltar only on the basis of the appointment receipt for a test.

DISREGARD

The Opposition consider that the GSD have totally mishandled the question of MOT tests at a political level. They have shown an arrogant disregard for Gibraltar motorists by failing to do many years ago what they are doing now.

GFA cannot take this slur lying down

If Gibraltar applies for FIFA membership, it will not get it under the rules. And so, FIFA decided, at its meeting in London, that the GFA dream was over and out as far as they were concerned.

But the GFA must now move heaven and earth. It is a matter they cannot take lying down.

There are many people who are upset that this decision should have been taken, when what we last heard from GFA was that in UEFA - which is subservient to FIFA - we had apparently made progress.

The question is this: Have we made progress or not?

Judging from what FIFA decided last weekend, we have not made any progress. In fact, we are not going to be allowed in!

This is a matter that transcends football. It is an important issue that goes much deeper.

Other sporting associations in Gibraltar have been able to obtain membership of the world bodies, so why not the GFA?

That is why they are expected to do something positive about it. It is a matter that affects Gibraltar as a whole. So, get on with it!

FIFA wrong 

A reader tells us that FIFA's refusal to grant membership to Gibraltar on the basis that it is not an independent country is incorrect. 

Bermuda, like Gibraltar, is a British dependent territory and on ly last week defeated Montserrat 13 goals to nil in its first World Cup 2006 qualifying match. Its only recently that Bermuda is talking about independence. 

Therefore, whoever is trying to make the point that FIFA's definition of a "country" means that it is an independent one, is actually incorrect. 

Perhaps you could advice GFA President, Mr. Joe Nunez, accordingly, he tells us. 

Gibraltar belongs to Andalucia!

With nationalist forces in Spain taking up positions, the andalusian nationalist party 'Partido Andalucista' staged a small demonstration on the other side of the frontier claiming that Gibraltar belongs to them. They were celebrating the Day of Andalucia.

Around 30 people gathered there and unfurled a banner which said ' Gibraltar territorio Andaluz'.

The event was organised by the Cadiz section of the party, and included a number of local party officials from the area. 

One of them read out a statement saying that, after 300 years, a "frontier of shame" separated two parts of Andalucia.

The territorial integrity of Andalucia would not be complete until the Rock went back to them.

The candidate standing for the Andalusian parliament Antonio Moreno spoke of formulae that could be found to find a solution, to facilitate the integration of Gibraltar in Andalucia.

Gibraltar, he added, is an important element in the identity of Andalucia.

GFA get No from FIFA

The world governing body will not admit the GFA as a member, said an executive committee meeting of FIFA held in London, according to reports appearing in the Spanish press.

If Gibraltar were to ask for membership in accordance with the FIFA rules, it would not be possible to grant them membership, said FIFA.

The point being made is that by 'country', FIFA means an independent country, which Gibraltar is not.

It is said that this will also affect Gibraltar's membership of UEFA, which Gibraltar requested in 1991, 1997 and 2001.

After making some progress in 2001, which was welcome in Gibraltar football circles, it would appear that the situation has now gone back to as it was and contrary to Gibraltar's intentions.

500 war veterans for Gibraltar

As part of Gibraltar’s Tercentenary celebrations the Gibraltar Government is to invite 500 UK war veterans to visit Gibraltar for a week’s holiday. The veterans will come to Gibraltar in groups of 50 and will be accommodated at the Retreat Centre. A full programme of events will be arranged for the visitors.

The announcement was made by the Chief Minister at the London Tercentenary Reception.

Commenting on the announcement, a Gibraltar Government spokesman said: “By making this gesture to 500 veteran British servicemen who lack financial means to travel abroad, Gibraltar aims to commemorate all British servicemen who have given their lives in defence of Gibraltar during the last 300 years, and to mark the special relationship that exists between Gibraltar and the armed forces. Arrangements will be made through the Royal British Legion and other Veteran’s organisations.”

Britain renews pledge to fight Spain over Euro-vote

By Ian Drury in London

BRITAIN has renewed its pledge to fight any legal action from Spain over the right of Gibraltarians to vote in the European elections.

The Rock has been linked with the United Kingdom's South West region for the June 10 ballot and UK ministers have placed residents of other Common-wealth countries who want to vote on it's electoral roll.

The move - under the European Parliament (Representation) Act - has angered the Spanish Government.

WARNING

Madrid has warned it could take the UK to the European Court of Justice over the controversial step. But in a written Parliamentary answer, Britain's Europe Minister Denis MacShane said: "We are confident that the Act is consistent with our EU obligations. A statement by the European Commission in October confirmed that 'the UK has organised the extension of voting rights to residents in Gibraltar within the margins of discretion presently given to member states by the EU law'.

"We have received no official notification that Spain intends to pursue the case to the European Court of Justice. We would defend any such case."

Scandal: at the North Front cemetery

WESTCOUNTRY CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Duke of Kent to intervene has Director General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission - for the organisation to tidy up, and look after First World War graves, at the North Front Cemetery on the Rock. Also, South West supporters are calling on the Prince to back the Rock to receive the George Cross for 300 years of bravery and gallantry to the British nation.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent will be representing the Queen at a Tercentenary Thanksgiving Service in London next week, celebrating 300 years of celebrations being organised by the Gibraltar Government.

Plymouth campaigner Kevin Kelway, while visiting the area trying to find the Grave of his Great Grand Father who died off Gibraltar in the Great War. 

And believed to be buried on the Rock - was shocked at the state of the tomb stones - which is in need of urgent repairs, and shrubbery clearance.

South West & Gibraltar conference on Rock being planned

Golden Hinde Association Chairman Kevin Kelway had a successful visit to the Rock last week.Proposals for a second business conference promoting South West and Gibraltar links in October with the Gibraltar Small Business Federation is being planned with Marielou Guerrero.

Association chairman Kevin Kelway (pictured with Paul Tunbridge on his first visit to Gibraltar) said: "I wish to thank the Rotary Club of Gibraltar and especially William Serfaty for inviting me to speak at this marvellous organisation. 

The Gibraltar Womens Association for turning out on a cold night. The Holding Hands Committee, Laguna at the Garrison Military Library, staff at the North Front Cemetery, and IWBM. I would also like to thank the Governor for meeting me. “But especially, Paul and Annette Tunbridge of the VOGG whose tireless works for the Rock is an inspiration to us all".

Mentality like Franco's, says Opposition

The Opposition consider that Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has shown his undemocratic credentials once more with his latest statements on Gibraltar. He has told "The Times" newspaper that what Britain should have done is ignore the results of the referendum and impose an Anglo-Spanish deal on Gibraltar. This attitude towards us is no different to that of General Franco.

This kind of mentality shows that Spain has nothing to offer Gibraltar and that when the Royal Marines lowered the Spanish flag three hundred years ago they liberated the territory of Gibraltar from Spanish rule and from the neo-fascist attitude that Mr Aznar has reflected in his approach.

Mr Aznar has also admitted that it was the referendum held in November 2002 that scuppered the Anglo-Spanish deal to share sovereignty. The Opposition has never had any doubts whatsoever that a referendum would scupper the Brussels negotiating process and the shared sovereignty deal that went with it, and that is why we were urging for a referendum to be held a year before it happened.

Last week the newly elected House of Assembly again sent Spain the message that we are determined to be decolonised and to exercise our right to self-determination, by reaffirming the 2002 Report of the Select Committee on the Constitution. This will replace our existing relationship with the United Kingdom with a new non-colonial relationship in which Spain has no say whatsoever. As far as the Opposition is concerned, the recommendations agreed by the whole House are in conflict with the decolonisation process required under the Brussels agreement.

The message to Jose Maria Aznar is that the future of Gibraltar is a matter for the people and Parliament of Gibraltar, on the one hand, and the Parliament of the United Kingdom, on the other. In 1704 the Royal Marines liberated the territory of Gibraltar from Spanish rule and it is now up to us, the present generation of Gibraltarians, to ensure through the decolonising constitution, that it never passes back to Spanish rule ever again, says the Opposition.

What a pity, says Aznar

It is absurd that two countries like Spain and Britain have not resolved the dispute over Gibraltar, said outgoing Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar.

Both Aznar and Tony Blair had been good friends, they had jointly started many initiatives, they had jointly been sucessful and they had shared many policies, but there is always a rock in the way and that is a pity, was in essence what Aznar said.
I
nterviewed in the Times, he recognised that there had been progress to resolve the issue but the negotiations collapsed because the Gibraltarians rejected shared sovereignty.

... and the answer is NO!

During a debate in parliament, Mr. Andrew Rosindell said: The Leader of House will have noted early-day motion 683 on the 300th anniversary of the British link with the territory of Gibraltar. 

[That this House notes with great pleasure that this year sees the celebration of the 300th Anniversary of relations between Gibraltar and the United Kingdom; further notes during this long period of time the closeness of that relationship and the ongoing support of Gibraltar to the United Kingdom, especially during periods when the support of Gibraltar was of crucial importance; further notes, with pride, the deep commitment of Gibraltar as a member of the British Islands and Mediterranean Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to the principles of the Commonwealth in which it is a highly respected member; and believes there is a need for the fullest cooperation and understanding between the two countries in any decisions that may need to be taken that would in any way affect Gibraltar and this should only be done with the fullest involvement and co-operation of the elected representatives of Gibraltar and its people.] The Leader of the House, he added, will be aware that this week a special service of thanksgiving will take place in London to celebrate that great anniversary. 

As he is renowned for his campaigning for democracy over many years, will he bring to this House at the earliest possible opportunity legislation to give the people of Gibraltar the same democratic right to vote to elect a Member of Parliament to this House that is enjoyed by everyone else in the United Kingdom? 

Mr. Hain: The answer to that question is no.

EU takes action against bunker-ship, says ecology group

The European Union has taken legal action ahgainst the UK for allowing bunkering in the bay by the bunker-ship 'Vemocean," said the ecology group Ecologistas en Accion. 

The econoly group denounced twenty occasions 'of the illegal transfer of fuel' by the Vemaoil company before receiving notification from the from the legal department of the European Coimmission's energy and transport directorate.

The Liberain-flagged ship, previously named 'Genmar Ocean', is said not to have a double-hull, but what the ecologists describe as a double 'bottom'. The group attacks the Gibraltar authorities for allowing this, which they claim to be potentially dangerous for the bay.

"Gibraltarhas become a next of fuel pirates, accepting old, obsolete ships" which are outside the European environmental norms, says Ecologistas en Accion.

Gibraltarian is guest of honour of the Austrian federal chancellor at the Vienna philharmonic ball

Conductor Karel Mark Chichon was recently guest of honour of The Federal Chancellor of Austria, Wolfgang Schüssel, on the occasion of the famous Ball of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, which was held in January at the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. Mr Chichon, who currently resides in Vienna, was one of twenty guest of honours which included eminent personalities from the world of art, politics and society in Vienna such as Ioan Hollender (Director of the Vienna State Opera), conductors Zubin Mehta and Sejji Ozawa, Clemens Hellsberger (President of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) Vladimir Malakhov (Guest Ballet Soloist at the Vienna State Opera), Renato Zanella (Ballet Director and Chief Cheographer at the Vienna State Opera) and Eva Petters (Ballet Principal Soloist at the Vienna State Opera).

The Federal Chancellor’s guests of honour were invited to a private dinner at the Imperial Hotel and were then transferred to the Golden Hall where they took part in the highlight of the evening’s festivities - the ceremonial opening of the Philharmonic Ball. As the trumpet players of the Vienna Philharmonic began the fanfare from the balcony overlooking the hall, the entrance of the guests of honour took place. At the head of the procession was the Matron of the Ball, escorted by the evening's Honorary Conductor, Zubin Mehta. In contrast to its concerts, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra sat in the middle of the dance floor on this occasion, in order to make room on the stage for the guests of honor. Once all prominent guests were seated Zubin Mehta led the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Johann Strauss: Gipsy Baron Overture. Following this, the Philharmonic cleared the floor while a group of debutantes and their partners made their entrance to officially begin the dancing. Young ladies of at least 17 years of age, in floor length white ball gowns, and young men of at least 18, in black tails, promenaded into the hall to the traditional sounds of a polonaise by Chopin or Ziehrer. Specially selected dancers from this group then performed an appealing dance number which was choreographed and rehearsed by the evening's Master of Dance. The Master of Dance also spoke the only official words of the evening, at the close of the opening ceremonies, when he proclaimed the traditional "Alles Walzer!", inviting all ball guests to join in waltzing with the debutantes on the main floor. Quickly guests mixed in and formed a symbiosis in the enjoyment of the whirling Viennese waltz amid a resplendent setting and the atmosphere filled with the unrestrained exuberance of a sumptuous night at the ball. Throughout the evening, the center of the ball remains the Golden Hall. During the rest of the year one of the finest concert halls in the world, the hall is dedicated on this one night exclusively to ballroom dancing. A large ball orchestra provided a steady stream of Viennese waltzes and polkas. Maestro Chichon said: “The Federal Chancellor did not know much about Gibraltar. Since I had been informed that he was an avid classical music enthusiast, he was very surprised when I explained of the existence of the Gibraltar Philharmonic Society and its recent events - he was particularly surprised at the high level of the events we have organised in relation to the very small population it serves. That rather pleased me. But the night was unforgettable for many reasons – to take part in the procession of the guests of honour at the ceremonial opening of the Ball was very special – most of the company I was with are my musical heroes! I cannot complain about my decision to move to Vienna – I cannot possibly have developed better contacts and artistic status in just over one year of moving to this city. The future is very exciting.”

RGP go training at school for scandal

Many local policemen have been proud of the recognition their skills have been rewarded with after training at the Hendon police college in Britain. They will not be that proud any more, now that Hendon has been dubbed "the school of sex scandal."

RGP officers still go there for courses. It is one of the places to which they are sent. Certainly, the fact that they may have gone there does not mean that they have been party to the behaviour that has been detected there among UK recruits.

The fact is that HENDON police training college is to come under new scrutiny after a trial exposed lurid details of the sexual activities of recruits and instructors.

Scotland Yard is expected to launch an internal review after a male instructor at the school was cleared of indecently assaulting two female colleagues. Married father of two Pc Steven Minney, 39, was found not guilty of five counts of indecent assault. But his trial revealed details of sex and drinking at the college.

THE REPUTATION

A Yard source said that while Mr Minney's case referred to alleged behaviour two years ago, there were concerns the worldwide reputation of Hendon had been damaged.

Another insider at the college itself said: "We are recruiting people from society. You only have to look at what happens at places like Ibiza and you get that sort of behaviour at Hendon. Some of the girls come in and it's the first time away from Mum and Dad."

THE ALLEGATIONS

The college had already come under the spotlight over sex allegations. Earlier this month Detective Sergeant Georgina Shanley, 42, won £200,000 compensation for four years of "appalling" sexual harassment at the school in which she was humiliated and insulted by male colleagues.

Last year, it emerged that four recruits at Hendon were being investigated for alleged racism and sexual harassment. The news came after a BBC documentary exposed trainees from Greater Manchester and North Wales as racists.

In 1999, five instructors transferred to other police jobs after being caught sneaking into female recruits' rooms. They had broken rules banning them from socialising with trainees.

The incident took place hours before a passing-out parade attended by then-Met Commissioner Sir Paul Condon. It followed a drink-fuelled dinner-dance attended by trainees and instructors on the previous night.

SPYING on the Rock

The world of spying has been cracked open with allegations in Britain about the way governments are said to behave. 

Tony Blair says that the security services operate within the law, but others have been openly questioning it.

Since it emerged that the UN secretary general had been the subject of spying, others have come up saying that they knew they were being spied on.

Such intelligence activities do not exampt the Rock, where the level of spying has always been regarded as high.

It has to be understood that, as a military base, military intelligence has always been high up on the agenda.

There have been cases of this and other undercover operations.

POLICE SENT TO JAIL

There is the case of a UK policeman who was sent to the Rock to track down alleged drug traffickers. It was an undercover operation and not even the Gibraltar police was told about it.

The policeman started moving in 'drugs' circles, and thus he became suspicious to local police, who followed him around thinking that he was the trafficker.

To cut a long story short, the UK policeman was arrested, charged and imprisoned!

ATTORNEY GENERAL

An attorney general who would not play ball with the authorities ended up having his home bugged.

He wanted to uphold the independence of his position under the Gibraltar constitution - and was not there to take orders!

It later transpired that a private eye in Britain had been sent to Gibraltar by MI5 to place listening devices in his home, up Mount Road. This is what was claimed.

It was like a movie. But it was real.

There have been other cases, such as the more recent Finch/Bossino case, when undercover agents came to Gibraltar impersonating others, and as the judge in the said case said, the UK police had mounted a 'massively illegal operation' which amounted to state-created crime. The case was thrown out.

These are just cases that go to show the extent of activity that goes on in Gibraltar, often undetected by anyone - not even the Gibraltar police.

As the judge in the Finch case said, no one - not even the Governor - has powers to authorise the police to undertake unlawful acts.

But in the shady world of intelligence it would appear anything goes!

Concern about 'TEP' endowment policies continues

Shadow Financial Services Minister Fabian Picardo has reacted to the reports of the debate in the House of Assembly on Thursday between him and the Chief Minister on the need to protect investors.

The debate arose in the second reading of the Insurance Companies (Amendment) Ordinance 2004 which related to the issue of the powers to be granted to the regulator, the Financial Services Commissio-ner, to further secure investor protection by giving him certain further powers in respect of the insolvency margins of insurance companies. 

WELCOMED

During the course of the debate, Mr Picardo said that the Opposition welcomed the measure but highlighted that the enforcement of measures designed to provide investor protection was equally important. 

Mr Picardo said that the Opposition has been very concerned to have received many complaints from members of the public about their investments in TEPs (traded endowment policies) which have resulted in them losing large amounts of money and in some cases all their life savings.

The Leader of the Opposition has also been approached by some international investors from South Africa who are equally concerned about the loses they have suffered in the collapse of another Gibraltarian investment company, Rock Financial Services. 

The Oppositions' concern about this case were also highlighted by Mr Picardo in the same way, although he declared, in keeping with the rules of the House, that he was professio-nally involved in acting for some of the investors that other matter. Mr Picardo confirms that he is not professionally involved as a lawyer in representing any person who has invested in TEPs.

REACTION

Mr Picardo has reacted strongly to Mr Caruana's attack on him in relation to his declaration of a professional interest. 

"In my view, Peter Caruana was entirely wrong to attack me as he did. The rules of the House are clear and I complied with them to the letter. 

“Indeed, during the course of the debate, I actually raised a Point of Order and about this, confirming that I had acted perfectly properly by volunteering the information of my professional involvement. "

Mr Picardo added: "None of this detracts from the fact that in particular the investors in TEPs have lost very large amounts of money.

“I have taken the issue up with the Financial Services Commission and hope that I can help in some way."

Mr Picardo has also reacted to the suggestion that he was echoing Spanish criticisms of Gibraltar. "As I said in the House, Mr Caruana will not succeed in recruiting me to the ranks of the enemies of Gibraltar by suggesting that my comments are prejudicial to our Finance Centre. I said in the House and maintain, "our market in financial services is increasingly sophisticated and highly regarded." 

In any case Mr Caruana should know the nature of Spanish attack on Gibraltar does not relate to the level of investor protection offered, but to our offshore status."

"Quite unlike the statements which are attributed to me by Peter Caruana during the course of the debate in the House on this Bill, I advocated strength of regulation and of enforcement, which I think is very important," said Mr Picardo. 

"The reaction of the Chief Minister was unwarranted and no more than the characteri-stically exaggerated attempt to hijack perfectly proper points made by the Opposition in debate, and which are of real concern to many members of the public, for his own partisan agenda."

He added: "Instead of taking on board perfectly valid concerns of many hundreds of investors which are properly transmitted to parliament, Peter Caruana has responded by rabidly attacking the Opposition with personalised attacks, typical of his bully boy tactics, for raising these concerns. 

“We will not be deterred."

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