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No sovereignty for Spain against Gibraltar's wishes, says Straw
UK warns Spain that cruise ship ban is illegal and ‘must end’
By Ian Drury in London
BRITAIN has warned Spain the row over cruise ships which dock at Gibraltar “must end”.
After a crunch meeting with new Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw branded the stand-off “unacceptable”.
But Sr Moratinos - on his first official visit to London since his Socialist government won a surprise general election victory in March - declared: “We want to find a solution.”
CLASH
Spain has sparked a diplomatic clash by turning away from its ports up to nine luxury liners which have earlier visited Gibraltar.
Hundreds of holiday-makers have had their vacations disrupted.
The chaos started last month when shipping firm Norwegian Cruise Liners` vessel Norwegian Dream was barred from docking at Barcelona.
Spain has justified its decision by claiming the Rock is not part of the European Community.
"ILLEGAL"
But Britain has made clear it regards the three-week-old boycott as illegal - and diplomats have threatened legal action.
On Wednesday night, a Foreign Office spokesman fumed: “Legal action is an option to consider, but what we really want is an early resolution to the problem, because it is not in anybody’s interests. Spanish ports are being denied trade.”
But at yesterday`s press conference, following an hour-long meeting, the ministers appeared to have found a way through the thorny problem.
Mr Straw said: “We regard the disruption to the cruise ships as completely unacceptable. The solution is for the disruption to end, as simple as that. I believe it will be found.”
Mr Moratinos said: “We have agreed to carry on talking in a constructive atmosphere, without any chaos, without any nerves. I`m sure a suitable solution can be found.”
SOVEREIGNTY
Mr Straw also reassured Gibraltarians by reiterating there would be no British concessions on joint sovereignty of the Rock.
Spain would not get a share of sovereignty of the Rock - British for 300 years - without the consent of its people.
Mr Moratinos entered the meeting claiming he would restart talks over the future of Gibraltar.
But while the pair had agreed to “continue dialogue”, said the Spanish minister, there was no fixed date to resume talks.
The European constitution, Iraq and the Middle East crisis had also been on the agenda during the lunchtime discussions.
Was Moratinos suffering from indigestion before he even sat for lunch with Straw?
Spanish foreign minister Sr Moratinos had been giving a high profile to his meeting with Jack Straw ever since he himself announced the event. His aim was to relaunch the Brussels process and to get sovereignty on the agenda.
The day before the meeting, he kept saying that he wanted to push ahead with the resumption of talks and that his policy was one of 'sovereignty and cooperation'.
The Spanish media were all reporting it. "Moratinos says he is meeting with Straw to resume talks under the Brussels Agreement," said the Spanish media yesterday.
He wants to take off where one of his predecessors left off in 2002, when the joint deal was almost sealed.
The Foreign Office was saying that there would be a number of issues on the agenda. They would be having lunch, and mentioning a series of issues as they munched and munched.
Obviously, Gibraltar had to feature in the meal.
However, the issue of the cruise ships had surfaced well above the water-line, and UK sources were saying that it was not the most appropriate time to make any formal announcements about resumption of formal talks.
With everyone getting over-excited in Spain, Sr Moratinos made an observation before flying out to London: That there would be a reference to Gibraltar but that Gibraltar was not the main reason for the meeting. It is just one more point.
He added that Spain wants "excellent and fruitful" relations with Britain.
Suddenly, the EU constitution, the Middle East and Iraq gained in importance.
Was Sr Moratinos suffering from indigestion before he even sat to have lunch with Mr Straw?
Spain’s cruise ship ban is "Gibraltar-bashing" exercise
Liberal Democrat South West MEP Graham Watson has said that the ban by Spain on cruise liners calling at Spanish ports after they have called at Gibraltar defies all logic. It raises serious issues of principle and of law.
“Both Gibraltar and Spain are part of the European Union and as such there should be free flow of access by sea as well as by land and air. It is in fact that many persons on board the affected vessels are themselves EU nationals, and it is highly questionable that their right of movement from one part of the EU to another should be blocked by Spain in this way,” said Mr Watson. Mr Watson has tabled Parliamentary Questions on this issue.
Mr Watson indicated that he has taken up the matter with the European Commission, and he urged the Spanish Government to revoke the ban so that cruise ships can continue to move between Gibraltar and Spain as they did so before May of this year. “This is no more than another totally unacceptable Gibraltar-bashing exercise,” said Mr Watson.
What ambulance staff have endured - Union’s view
The TGWU/ACTS says it fully supports the stand taken "by our members in defence of their right to seek better pay and conditions, for performing an excellent service."
The Union considers that the service is undermanned, originally it was envisaged that a crew would consist of five members. Actually the work is being performed by a crew of 4.
As the public is fully aware, the Ambulance service is an essential service for the community.
They add: "The members since the service was taken over had been complaining about low pay and unsatisfactory conditions, this situation has been going on for years, as a gesture of goodwill and responsibility the members have endured the current situation. The member's grievances have not been addressed and therefore, have said that enough is enough and have decided to take industrial action.
"Our members supported by the Union are willing to sit down with Management at any time. We are willing to start negotiations on the question of basic wage, shift allowance, premium payment for weekends, etc. At the moment the employees do not receive premium payment neither do they get shift allowance like any other employee on shift.
"As stated the Union is always open to negotiations."
This is war with Spain, says Government
As the Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos prepared to have talks in London today with foreign secretary Jack Straw, the cruise liner crisis was being described by the Gibraltar government as a"cruise ship war" with Spain.
"It just goes to show once again that we are fighting a daily battle with Spain," said port minister Joe Holliday, who thinks the Spanish attitude is unacceptable and unjustifiable.
A showdown between Straw and Moratinos could come today, if the Foreign Office is to take heed of the advice it is getting from Gibraltar.
CONCERN
"The time has come for the Foreign Office to take a more energetic view," said Mr Holliday, reflecting the general concern in ministerial circles.
The chief minister Peter Caruana, who was in London yesterday on another crucial issue, also thinks that London is not being tough enough in its defence of the Rock.
Mr Caruana was having talks about the EU threat to the finance centre, which is a separate issue also causing concern to the Government and Gibraltar as a whole.
When the decision of the European Commission was announced on the question of regional selectivity, meaning that Gibraltar's company tax system should be like that of the UK, Mr Caruana was expecting the UK to immediately announce taking the issue to the European courts. He came out saying he would but London remained silent on it. It would be astonishing, he said at the time, if Britain did not go ahead with it.
THE OPTIONS
The Foreign Office view on the tax issue, and now on the cruise liner issue, is that they are "considering all our options. We cannot rule out taking legal action ..."
But Gibraltar ministers appear to be losing patience and do not want to hear any more nice words. What they want is action.
As Mr Holliday has noted, whenever a particular sector of Gibraltar's economy is doing well we get an attack on it from Spain.
A report in The Times yesterday quoted a nameless UK diplomat saying: "We don't see any justification or legal basis for what they are doing. It's a strange way to go about it if you say, as Spain does, that you want to return to serious discussion about relations between Spain, Britain and Gibraltar."
The Dutch liner Prinsendam was refused entry into Tarragona because it had called at Gibraltar.
"The agent in Tarragona told me this morning that all Spanish ports have been told to rigorously enforce the ban. I wouldn't be surprised if it was all to do with Sr Moratinos meeting with Jack Straw, so that he can say 'As a gesture of goodwill we will withdraw the ban, now what will you give us in return?'" port chief executive Tony Davis told The Times.
BRUSSELS PROCESS
In fact, what Sr Moratinos wants is to reopen the negotiating process under the Brussels Agreement, which was halted when the planned deal on joint sovereignty met with some 'red line' issues back in July 2002.
This is what he said yesterday before the Spanish foreign affairs committee.
He wants to recover the process and also push forward with it, as he thinks that it is possible to advance and make progress "with benefits for all sides", including the Campo area.
He wants to take off where a previous foreign minister Josep Pique left off - the joint sovereignty deal.
He says he is firm about his intentions, of considering the two most relevant aspects of the Gibraltar issue - "Sovereignty and cooperation."
Gibraltar at Straits Games
Gibraltar is to take part in the so-called Straits Games with other Campo municipalities.
Clive Beltran, Minister for Sport, took part in the Official Presentation of the 2004 Straits Games, held in the Tarifa Town Hall, earlier this week.
Present at this event, hosted by the Mayor of Tarifa, were representatives of the Diputacion de Cadiz, Mancommunidad de Municipio del Campo de Gibraltar, the Mayor of San Roque, and the Sports Councillors from Ceuta, Algeciras, Los Barrios and La Linea, amongst other guests and participants.
"As part of the presentation, as is customary, the Official Poster and Mascot were introduced and the draw was carried out for the teams participating. This now enables the preparation of the actual calendar of sports events. This year Gibraltar will be participating in athletics, basketball, chess, fishing, 7-a-side football, swimming, table tennis, volleyball and Special Olympics – athletics, indoor football and swimming," said a Government press release.
All the events, including the opening and closing ceremonies, of the 2004 Straits Games to be held in Tarifa will take place on Saturday 5 June.
Buses running 'practically empty'
The Environmental Safety Group says it would like to add its voice to recent public calls made for the elimination of bus fares.
It is the view of the ESG, that unless the general public maximises the use of these brand new buses, the object of the considerable expense of tax payers money invested in a modern efficient, reliable and safe public transport system will be defeated.
The ESG would like to highlight the following points:-
• Government has already admitted that the new bus company will be running at a loss.
• During the first two weeks when no fares where payable the buses ran at practically full capacity.
• Since the fare structure was introduced these buses are often running practically empty.
• The introduction of the new public transport system has not contributed to a decrease of traffic congestion with high pollution effects remaining undiminished.
In order to maximise the potential of the new transport system and consequent improvement to the environment which a drastic reduction of traffic congestion would represent, the ESG urges Government to give serious consideration to the introduction of a free public transport service.
In order for the above to become a financially viable proposition "we would further suggest that a minimum increase in the price of petrol be introduced and consideration given for "all paying car parks" that would help steer people away from unnecessary car use and encourage use of bus service provided. This would also help generate revenue."
They finally suggest that a serious study analysis is carried out on these possibilities.
Britain makes more representations to Spain and hopes for early solution
The British Government is hopeful that there can be an early resolution to the situation that has arisen with cruise liners and Spanish ports.
It all started with what the UK calls "a message" delivered to the Spanish foreign ministry on 29 April. This was followed by a further complaint over the said weekend. Then, on 12 May, there was another complaint, this time to the Spanish secretary of state for Europe, and again to a senior Spanish official the next day.
Said foreign office minister Denis MacShane: "I will also raise the issue in meetings with Spanish officials this week."
But, so far, none of the foregoing has produced a positive result.
"DISAPPOINTMENT"
Britain has been expressing "disappointment" at the Spanish action, which it sees as a hindrance to legitimate business by cruise liners.
In Gibraltar there has been growing concern that the problem carries on regardless. The chief minister Peter Caruana does not think Britain is helping out as strongly as she could, while port minister Joe Holliday has now reversed his previous policy of saying nothing and he is also expressing concern.
The Opposition, through their shipping spokesman Dr Joseph Garcia, has been expressing concern for some time now.
QUESTIONS
Lindsay Hoyle MP has asked two questions in Parliament, asking what representations have been made to the Spanish government and if the Government would make a statement.
Mr MacShane finally decided to say something in Parliament.
Meanwhile the Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos is due to meet foreign secretary Jack Straw in London tomorrow.
All eyes are on the said meeting to see what comes out of it.
The questions and the answer
Two Parliamentary Questions on the issue of Cruise Liners raised on Monday in Parliament.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
(1) what representations he has made to the Spanish Government concerning cruise liners which have previously docked at Gibraltar being prevented from entering Spanish ports;
(2) if he will make a statement on the decision by the Spanish Government to refuse entry to the cruise liner Norwegian Dream to the port of Barcelona.
Mr. MacShane: On the instructions of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, the British Ambassador in Madrid delivered a message to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday 29 April and complained again over the weekend of 1-2 May. He complained once more, to the Spanish State Secretary for Europe and the Americas, on 12 May, and to a senior Spanish official on 13 May. He expressed HMG’s disappointment and surprise at the Spanish action and stressed how seriously HMG views such hindrance to legitimate business by cruise liners. HMG is in close touch with the Spanish Authorities with a view to achieving an early solution to this problem. I will also raise the issue in meetings with Spanish officials this week.
Vigil as foreign ministers meet
Jack Straw meets his new Spanish counterpart Miguel Morantinos tomorrow to reactivate the dialogue temporarily suspended after the November 2002 Referendum, says the Voice of Gibraltar Group.
Notwithstanding all the subsequent suggestions of 'shelves', 'backburners' and 'long grasses', will the Foreign Secretary now produce his feather-duster, turn on the gas or apply the hover-mower, thus creating another period of uncertainty for the Rock?
VOGG adds: On such occasions one has to guess what each will produce at the table. No doubt, Straw will remind the Spaniards that his Joint-Sovereignty Proposals are still there. Morantinos will say that that is a starting point, but the 'red-lines' must be negotiated. Who will give in ? Straw will mention, en passant, border queues, telephones and cruise liners; Morantinos will laugh and state once again that there can be no progress on these minor issues until such time as he achieves 'la hispanolidad' of Gibraltar.
The VOGG says it is clear in its mind that the result of these talks will be simply 'status quo' of more concessions to Spain, neither of which are acceptable.
The Group, consistent in its campaign, will therefore hold a vigil at The Convent on Thursday as from 11am.
Hoon fails to give commitment on Gibraltar
By Ian Drury in London
A HIGH-profile British Cabinet minister body-swerved a golden opportunity to guarantee the UK Government’s commitment to Gibraltar.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon - under heavy fire over the Iraq war and alleged prisoner abuses - pointedly refused to confirm that Gibraltar would not be off-loaded.
FEARS
Fears persist that the Government wants to reach a joint-sovereignty agreement with Spain over the Rock, which has been part of the UK for 300 years.
Mr Hoon’s snub came during a heated Defence Questions in London’s House of Commons.
After facing an almost constant bombardment by MPs over the worsening situation in Iraq, Mr Hoon was challenged by Lindsay Hoyle, an MP for the ruling Labour Party.
Mr Hoyle, a fervently pro-Gibraltarian MP, asked the Defence Secretary to “show and restate his commitment to Gibraltar.”
He said: “Will he ensure that Gibraltar will remain an Overseas Territory [of the UK] and will he show that in his answer?”
Mr Hoon said he acknowledged Mr Hoyle’s “tireless campaigning” on behalf of the people of the Rock.
He said: “I commend his efforts in this tercentenary year and I am delighted to commit myself and the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the Government to continuing our good relations with the people of Gibraltar.”
Political analysts pointed out that Mr Hoon stopped well short of standing squarely behind Gibraltar over Spain’s claims of sovereignty.
His words are bound to anger many of the 30,000 people living on the Rock.
In 2002, a referendum showed an overwhelming majority of Gibraltarians rejected proposals to share sovereignty over the Mediterranean dependency with Madrid.
'NOT DEAD'
A staggering 99 per cent of voters said they wanted to stay British - effectively consigning diplomatic negotiations to the scrapheap.
But earlier this year Tony Blair admitted talks with Spain over Gibraltar were "not dead".
The British Prime Minister said his Government would continue to try to reach a "sensible" agreement with Spain over the future of the Rock, which has been part of the UK for 300 years.
Wage claims by Services Police
“Empty promises from MOD” says association
he Gibraltar Services Police has presently 2 wage related claims against the Ministry of Defence. The first claim dates back to the 1990s the second relates to events in 2003.
The root of the problem of the first claim has been the failure of the Ministry of Defence to apply the analogue principle by which Members of the Gibraltar Service Police are to have parity with their United Kingdom counterparts in respect of pay and pay related conditions. In February 2004 the Ministry of Defence accepted finally the analogue principle applies but rejected our members' legitimate claim. This claim is being pursued not only through legal means but also by way of representations to the Ministry of Defence in London and elsewhere. The claim is substantial.
DISPUTE
"The second claim is a contractual dispute for non-payment of compensation we say is due to our members by reason of a failure on the part of the Ministry of Defence in Gibraltar to adhere to the terms of employment. There is no dispute on the facts but possibly on the interpretation of the contract. The GSPSA would like to record that although the Ministry of Defence initially appeared to place obstacles to prevent a discussion of this claim, which obstacles were removed when we sought and obtained the direct intervention of Ivor Caplin MP Under Secretary of State for Defence, a meeting has taken place to consider the claim. If no agreement is reached this claim will be pursued also either through ADR or the Courts," said the Gibraltar Services Police Staff Association.
Meetings and discussions have been and will continue with the Ministry of Defence to resolve those issues where the GSP and its UK counterparts do not have parity in pay and pay related conditions and to the extent that the formal procedures do not resolve the issues the GSPSA will follow legal and political avenues to ensure its rights are complied with fully.
EMPTY PROMISES
The GSPSA says it is committed to discuss any issues reasonably with the Ministry of Defence. However it is conscious of the manner in which the Ministry of Defence has purported to conduct negotiations in the past and we will not be appeased by empty promises or assurances. The conduct of the Ministry of Defence in Gibraltar in past negotiations is and will be examined in detail in the appropriate forums.
Lion King production in Gibraltar
Danza Academy continues with the hard work and are currently very busy in organising their bi-annual production.
The show derives from the original Walt Disney’s animated film ‘The Lion King’ with all choreography inspired by the artistic talent of Anne Marie Gomez and Zuleika Green.
Danza’s choreographies have earned them a reputation both in the local and international scene especially after two consecutive years reaching finals at the renowned I.D.O. World Dance Show Championships.
Nevertheless the teachers now look forward with enthusiasm in embarking in this new project and are confident that it will bring more than one smile to the young and the young at heart.
Zuleika Green commented, ‘This is the brainchild of Alfred Rumbo and we have been working on this project for over a year.
The producers approached Danza Academy and now everything is in place with an aim to offer the audience a well-paced dynamic production full of entertainment.’
The production will be staged at the Alameda Open Air Theatre in June and is been Directed and Produced by Seamus Byrne and Alfred Rumbo. John Cortes will be responsible to direct the Drama side of the show.
Over 190 pupils from both Danza Academy and Revelations will take part in this event.
For further information please contact Seamus Byrne on Tel 79758.
Major study of human occupation of Mediterranean coastal sites
A major EU-sponsored workshop will take
place at the John Mackintosh Hall today and tomorrow.
The Workshop is part of the PalaeoMed Project and is studying human occupation of Mediterranean coastal sites in the last 250 thousand years.
PalaeoMed is a Gibraltar-led project under the Interreg IIIB Medocc Programme that includes Italian and Spanish partners. The Gibraltar Museum is the leading institution, acting as Chef-de-File in the project.
The project studies the relationship between climate-driven environmental change in the Mediterranean and the occupation of coastal sites by humans.
Apart from its intrinsic value, the project's results are expected to shed light on issues concerning the impact of global warming on coastal areas that are regarded as particularly sensitive to climate change.
Gibraltar, with its unique high-resolution record of climate change, is central to the project.
RESULTS
The Gibraltar workshop aims at discussing the results of the project so far and to compare the sites under study and the methodologies in use and under development with other Mediterranean countries.
A possible outcome of the workshop would be the creation of a Mediterranean network of researchers in the field.
Another major point of discussion will be the expansion of the PalaeoMed Project to include other Mediterranean countries.
DELEGATES
Thirty delegates will participate in the workshop. They will be widely representative of the Mediterranean Region: Gibraltar, Morocco, Spain, France Italy, Malta, Greece and Israel. There will also be representation from the United Kingdom.
The high level participation, of leading scientists in the field in their respective countries, further strengthens Gibraltar's position as a centre of excellence in this discipline.
The workshop will pave the way for the Calpe Conference on Human Origins that will take place in Gibraltar this August.
The workshop will be officially opened this morning by Clive Beltran, Minister for Heritage, Culture, Youth & Sport.
I am going to Gibraltar because there are 18,000 votes, said Howard
by PANORAMA reporter
On his way to Gibraltar yesterday, Tory leader Michael Howard told the UK press: “I’m going to Gibraltar because there are 18,000 votes there and our approach to these elections is to leave no vote unturned."
Tony Welch of the Liberal-Democrats said that Gibraltarians won't be fooled by a whistle-stop tour by a Tory, while the Greens issued a declaration guaranteeing self-determination.
The campaign to the European Election has started.
The Tory leader went on to say: “We hope that we are going to get a good turn-out and a good vote for the Conservative party from Gibraltar. I’m also going there because we were responsible for the campaign which led to Gibraltarians getting the vote in these elections."
AUDIENCE
Speaking outside the entrance to a local hotel later, Mr Howard said he will never forget addressing the largest audience he has ever addressed, as was the case in National Day 2002.
He claimed that "only the Conservatives are standing up for Gibraltar."
He went on to thank the Gibraltar Labour Party for helping them and also the Conservatives Abroad, and others.
Those who would wish to separate Gibraltar from the UK should pause and think of the history they would be betraying.
His pledge was this: The Conservatives will never surrender Gibraltar's sovereignty without the specific mandate of the people of Gibralatar.
He added: We will disown this government's agreement to share sovereignty with Spain.
He reminded What a previous Labour government had given Gibraltar - and went on to read the Preamble to the Gibraltar Constitution of 1969.
What did Labour say about Gibraltar in their manifesto for these elections? Not a single word.
And the Liberal-Democrats? Not a single word.
On June 10 the people of Gibraltar would have a voice in an election in the UK.
He added: Together we achieved a great victory. His friends and colleagues in the south-west "welcome Gibraltar with enthusiasm and affection."
He said they had excellent MEPs and candidates in the south-west. "Your vote can send them to Brussels to fight for you," he said.
Modern Conservative approach was live and let live; flourish and let flouish.
We are good friends of Gibraltar, he promised. We will not let Gibraltar down.
INTEGRATION?
When asked about the Conservatives and integration, he skirted round the question. The chief minister and other Gibraltar political leaders are putting forward later this year some proposals for bringing up to date the relationship between Gibraltar and the UK, and I don't want to prejudge them, he said.
Asked about the Brussels Agreement (which the Conservatives gave Gibraltar) he said: We will only enter into talks with the Spanish government in a transparent way, not secretly as was done by the present government, and with the consent of the Government of Gibraltar.
He hoped the people of Gibraltar would use their vote.
Self-determination guarantee from Greens
On the day UK Conservative leader Michael Howard visited Gibraltar, the Green Party included in its Euro-election campaign launch in London its own special commitment to the people of Gibraltar.
Green Party media chief Spencer Fitz-Gibbon commented: "Michael Howard's visit is of course big news but people in Gibraltar need to know the Tories are not the only party with a strong view on Gibraltar.
"Anyone in Gibraltar with progressive views will be reassured by the fact that there's a very progressive choice in the Euro-elections, in the Green Party's alliance with Gibraltar's Reform Party.
"As a Green I think Tony Blair has behaved very badly, and I believe Gibraltarians need strong reassurance of the UK's commitment. The Green Party gives that commitment in its existing policy and as a distinct part of today's Euro-election campaign launch in London. Gibraltar is on the verge not just of electing its first MEPs but also of gaining its first Green Party MEP."
GIBRALTAR PROCLAMATION
The Green Party of England and Wales declares, unequivocally, its support for the self-determination of the people of Gibraltar, and their right to decide and settle their own style of democratic government within the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Green Party believes, as a principle, in the right of self-determination; in the right of all people to participate in, and where practicable to discharge, the decisions that affect them in their own lives.
The Green Party guarantees to uphold the political and democratic rights of the people of Gibraltar, and to uphold Article One of United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The Green Party further declares its commitment to advance the social, environmental and economic rights of the people of Gibraltar, and to uphold Article One of the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The rights are taken as being inalienable, and as providing the foundation for a strong civil society, democratic advancement and the pursuit of human happiness.
Proclaimed by David Taylor, lead candidate for the Green Party in Gibraltar, at the launch of the Green Party's European Election Manifesto, on Monday May 17th 2004.
Gibraltarians won't be fooled by Tory on whistlestop tour, say LibDems
Liberal Democrat candidate in the coming European elections Tony Welch has said that the people of Gibraltar are too politically wise to be fooled by a senior politician making a whistle stop tour of the Rock in order to drum up votes for the 10th June European Parliamentary Election. The Gibraltarians should judge the Conservatives on their poor track record regarding Gibraltar when in Government and not on the promises trat they are making now when they want votes.
A LibDem Press Release adds: What Mr Howard should have done is give a public apology for the shameful manner in which past Conservative Governments have treated the people of Gibraltar.
The outcome of this election is too important to all Gibraltanans for the result to turn on an American style walk-about and a few carefully chosen words. What is important are Gibraltar's continuing relationship with the United Kingdom and how Gibraltar's views and aspirations are represented in the European Parliament after the 10th June.
Mr. Howard has been around for a long time. He was a lynchpin in the Thatcher Government when the Conservatives showed scant regard for the feelings and future of the Rock. Indeed, the Conservatives do not like to be reminded that the recent attempt by the Labour Government to share the sovereignty of the Rock with Spain has its origins in the 1984 Brussels Agreement brokered by the Tories. This placed the sovereignty of Gibraltar on the negotiating table for the first tame in its long association with Great Britain. It also entailed recognition by the UK Conservative Government of the Spanish position that there were two issues of sovereignty, in the plural.
The 1987 Airport Agreement excluded Gibraltar from EU air liberalisation packages unless the Gibraltanans agreed shared control of the airport with Spain. This deal was a Tory done-deal. It was agreed over the heads and against the wishes of the people of Gibraltar who had demonstrated, in their thousands in the streets, before the deal was signed. In addition, the Tones manifestly did not safeguard the position of Gibraltar before Spain joined the EU.
The Conservatives have been busy, in recent weeks, playing up their friendship for Gibraltar and its people. They have even included reference to Gibraltar in their European manifesto. This is all too little, too late. As far back as 1997, the Liberal Democrats were the first European political party to publicly support Gibraltar's call for its citizens to be granted the right to vote in European elections. At a Congress in the South West city of Bath in 2002, the Liberal Democrats adopted a policy resolution which declares "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 pressures, and in exercise of their right to self-determination."
The Liberal Democrat position, as enshrined in policy resolutions, means that it cannot be changed unlike he emphasis now adopted by the Tories at election time.
All the winners of the 6th Gibraltar Spring Art Exhibition
Painter Adrian Cabedo (right) became £i1,000 richer yesterday evening when he was awarded first prize at the official opening of the Spring Art Exhibition for his painting “Upper Town”.
“Rock Formations 5” by Paul Cosquieri won the £ 500 second prize and “Weave of Light” by Michele Stagnetto came third, receiving a prize of £ 250.
The Alwani Foundation Prize of £i500 for a Gibraltar themed artwork was awarded to “The Straits of Gibraltar” by Lloyd Chapman and the £ 250 AquaGib Limited Prize for the work of a young artist went to “Untitled” by Chris-Anne Alcantara.
A total of one hundred and six art works were entered by sixty-eight artists in the prestigious local art exhibition opened to all Gibraltar residents, organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the Fine Art Association. bbbb bbb bbb b b bbThe exhibition was judged by a panel of three, chosen by the Fine Arts Association: art collector Eric Ellul, architect Leslie Gaduzo and art teacher Christian Hook.
The following artwork was highly commended: “It’s Spring Again – 3B Rosia Road” by Lorraine Buhagiar, “View to the Bay” by Vin Mifsud, “Lluvia – Main Street” by Jenica Pizarro, “The Baptism” by Philippa Porral, “An Echo of my Mind” by Peter Vasquez and “Fatima – Cap Spartel” by Willa Vasquez.
The exhibition is open to the public until Thursday 27th May, from 10am to 8.30pm.
EU litigation and Prospect for Chief Minister
The Chief Minister left for London yesterday evening.
The Chief Minister will be addressing the Prospect annual conference which takes place in Torquay tomorrow.
At the conference a motion is being presented by the Gibraltar delegates calling upon the UK Government not to pursue the joint sovereignty objective; to recognise the results of the Gibraltar Referendum 2002; and to back the Chief Minister's call for the UN to send a delegation to visit Gibraltar.
The Chief Minister will thank Prospect for its support of Gibraltar during the last 3 year's political campaign.
On Wednesday the Chief Minister will be attending a meeting at the Foreign Office to discuss the EU litigation against the EU Commission relating to the tax reform proposals and Regional Selectivity, with British Government officials and lawyers.
He is accompanied by his Private Secretary (legal) John Reyes and will be joined at Wednesday's meeting by the Government's legal team from Brussels in the tax case.
The Chief Minister returns to Gibraltar on Wednesday evening.
Queen Mary II cancels Gib visits
The world's largest liner, the Queen Mary II, will not now be calling at Gibraltar, it was confirmed last night.
The reason for the cancellation is that there is insufficient depth of water on the exterior of the Western Arm at the North Mole.
The Government had planned to do the necessary dredging to allow this to happen, as evidenced by a tender they published in January. However, when the tender price became known they decided not to go ahead.
"The cost of dredging is in the region of $1.3 million, this is much more than estimated," said the Government.
In addition technical problems were identified which required that the foundations of the north mole be considerably reinforced if the dredging were to proceed, as otherwise the stability of the mole would be threatened, said the government last night.
After weighing up the pros and cons "of spending such a large sum of money" the government decided not to proceed at present.
It talks of "few and infrequent visits". In fact, 4 or 5 calls had been scheduled for this and next year.
VISIT OF THE RAZORBACK
A Second World War United States Navy Submarine, the Razorback, will be visiting Gibraltar tomorrow on its way home to America. The USS Razorback was one of three submarines to take part in the formal Japanese surrender ceremonies in Tokyo Bay in 1945. Through the efforts of some old sailors who served aboard her in the 1960’s, she has been purchased by the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum in North Little Rock, Arkansas and is now undertaking her journey home under tow. One of those on board is Patrick Hays, the current Mayor of North Little Rock, who served aboard her in the 1960’s.
The crew are happy to show groups around the submarine. The point of contact for group visits is United States Liaison Officer, Commander Ali Nesser on 55720.
Ambulance protest
The Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Fabian Picardo, has issued a statement supporting the industrial action being taken by ambulance operators of the St John's Ambulance Service.
Mr Picardo said: "The professionals who provide this emergency service for Gibraltar are invariably dedicated individuals who fulfil a vocation in undertaking their work. We believe that it is not proper for such dedicated
individuals to be in put in a position where they have to take
industrial action.
Moreover we also believe that it is to their eternal credit that they are carrying out their industrial action selectively, continuing to provide the service whilst evidencing their action by simply not wearing their uniforms.
At this stage we believe it is important that all sides should seek to discuss and negotiate their differences in a spirit designed to lead to a resolution of the dispute and not to any further escalation."
EURO-VOTE: 55 stand for 7 seats
As many as 55 candidates will be standing for election in the south-west for the forthcoming election to the European Parliament, which sees Gibraltar voting in a Euro-election for the first time.
Of the 55 candidates, just seven will be elected for the south-west region. There are eight parties standing.
Election will be done by the proportional representation system. Electors vote for a party rather than a candidate. When the votes are totalled, those elected will depend on how many votes a party gets - the votes get distributed proportionately. No party is expected to get its seven candidates elected. Those candidates at the top of each list stand the best chance to get elected,and so on down each list.
Those elected go on to form part of the political groupings in the European Parlia-ment, for example, Conservatives will join that 'family' in the European Parliament, and others of different political persuasion.
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