Mr. Cook told Mr. Matutes that Britain would let nothing override the "democratically expressed wishes of the Gibraltar people," reports The Times under the heading WHAT GIBRALTAR WANTS COMES FIRST, SAYS COOK.
Mr. Cook told the Spanish minister that tight new Spanish border controls with the Rock were "unacceptable in a modern-day Europe" and Britain could not accept a frontier clampdown imposed for political purposes.
Tony Blair is expected to tackle the dispute over the colony with Jose Maria Aznar, the Spanish Prime Minister, when the pair attend an EU summit near Bonn on Friday.
However, Madrid shows little sign of softening its new hard line, which is reminiscent of the attempts by the Franco regime to isolate the British colony.
Newsagency reports from Luxembourg said that Mr. Cook had appealed to Madrid yesterday to honour the EU principle of free movement and ease lengthy border checks in Gibraltar.
In Spain, "El Mundo" said both sides held different viewpoints, with Mr. Cook saying Britain would not tolerate a siege of Gibraltar. Sr. Matutes said Spain would enforce whatever measures it considers opportune and necessary.
"El Pais" says that Sr. Matutes did not achieve his objective that the Gibraltar Government return the net and the bail payments made by the Spanish fishermen of the Piraña.
It speaks of Gibraltar being a major money launderer and a centre for drug trafficking, but adds that Mr. Cook did not agree and asked for a detailed report about "where and when".
He suggested a tripartite meeting (Madrid London-Gibraltar) which does not go down well with Spanish diplomacy.
In an editorial the paper says that the ball is in London's court "after years of Spanish gestures".
Meanwhile, Spanish workers in Gibraltar say they plan action against the restrictions imposed by Madrid at the frontier.
WE'LL MEET AGAIN - Don't Know Where, Don't Know When...
They entered the room evincing unease. Each extended his arm, not so much to have a warm handshake as befits allies, but to show the other the way, almost the way out, while each looked in different directions, avoiding to establish eye contact. Slowly, Cook offers a handshake, forcing a smile. They sat, on opposite sides of the oblong table, flanked by their solemn-faced advisers…
Matutes keeps repeating, in parrot fashion, that Gibraltar is a den of smugglers, where money laundering is rife, where over 50,000 opaque companies pose a threat to the Spanish economy and to the Campo area… almost to the world!
If you think that is so, retorts Cook, provide us with the evidence and we'll look into it.
Britain, and Gibraltar, have long been urging Spain to stop making accusations and to start producing concrete evidence. Nobody is going to be convinced by blustering wind, only by solid, documented evidence.
What about the EU directives? storms Matutes.
What about them? asks Cook.
Matutes has a long list which nobody knows where he has got it from, giving the impression his advisors cannot count.
There are only 8 directives still to be applied, Cook assures him.
I have my doubts, replies Matutes.
Matutes, thinking Gibraltar is a banana republic, asks: What about the Piraña, freeing their net and dropping the charges?
Cook: Piraña what? Look here, señor, this is a matter for the courts of Gibraltar.
The conversation progresses backwards, each side engaged in defending its respective position. It's a war of words.
Cook takes the view that EU directives will be implemented as soon as possible, as if he was making a major concession.
Matutes says he will keep the frontier controls because they are necessary - and legal. No concession.
Cook disputes the legality of using restrictions, in a modern world, on an EU frontier, to try and advance a political claim: They are unacceptable.
The absence of a joint statement, of a joint Press Conference, is evidence that Britain and Spain are going in different directions over Gibraltar.
Out goes Matutes to meet the media: Without concessions by us, Britain is going to implement the EU directives soonest.
Out goes Cook: Britain will not tolerate Spain's siege of Gibraltar.
It could have ended in a sing-song! We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day - almost like that famous wartime song. After all, this is a 300-year war…
Castiella was the Spanish foreign minister during the Franco era, the architect of Spain's hardline policy at the time.
Sr. Matutes had failed to make Robin Cook keep to the verbal agreement on fishing and, now, resorts to hardline tactics.
The frontier must be free and not at the whim of Matutes, added Sr. Carracao.
Gibraltar must be made to comply with EU directives but not through frontier controls as all Matutes is doing is "being tough with the weak."
Juan Antonio Velazquez, PSOE candidate for La Linea, has doubts about the usefulness of the committee created in Madrid to create jobs in the Campo area, thinking that it will only serve "to fill some peoples' pockets."
The notion that Gibraltar depends on the Campo, as if the Campo did not depend on Gibraltar, is being questioned on the other side to show that the Madrid attitude is political in nature.
All this talk about large-scale smuggling from Gibraltar to Spain can best be put in perspective by watching the Spaniards who return to Spain with just a small plastic bag containing a carton of tobacco, cheese and the like which are allowed by Spanish customs anyway.
From Spain to Gibraltar, there are daily lorry-loads of every kind of goods one can think of. There is also the large amounts spent by Gibraltar residents in the Spanish neighbourhood where there is a large dependence on Gib spending.
Apart from that, the thousands that make a living from the earnings of the Spanish workers in Gibraltar.
Another substantial source of income is derived from the Spanish pensioners.
The finance centre? Gibraltar's was there before Spain joined the EU. There are similar centres in many parts of the world. Investments in Spain from them are not the subject of allegations by the Spanish Government.
It goes to show that all Madrid seeks is to make progress on its anachronistic claim to Gibraltar - and in doing so, it is tarnishing the good name of the vast majority of honest people in Gibraltar.
What Sr. Matutes and his advisers have underestimated is the strong anti-Madrid avalanche by their own people in the Campo area.
By 15 votes to 2, the Court said the UK was in violation of the European Convention of Human Rights for its failure to make arrangements to enable the people of Gibraltar to vote at elections to the European Parliament.
The complaint was first lodged in 1994 when the Self-Determination for Gibraltar Group, then led by Denis Matthews, put up his daughter Denise as plaintiff, the case going before the Court last year.
In the same way as the GSLP/ Liberal Alliance are cooperating outside the House of Assembly, through a Foreign Affairs Committee and a new Domestic Affairs Committee, that cooperation will also be translated into the Parliament of Gibraltar. There will be one Opposition and one Parliamentary Group with the two parties in it. As already announced jointly by both parties last month, Dr. Garcia remains subject to the Liberal Executive as Liberal Leader, but will work in the House of Assembly as agreed jointly in the Parliamentary Group.
Pilar Tranquille (nee King)
I am often frustrated by the seemingly timid response of the Foreign Office to Spanish provocation. The FO's restrained (and above all legal) responses do, however, throw into sharp relief the unruly and counterproductive practices of Madrid. Furthermore, the FO's restraint does of course belie the steady diplomatic activity undertaken in London to secure and advance Gibraltar's position.
Conversely, I must confess to being quite infuriated at the obstinacy of Gibraltar's uncouth neighbour. After all, Gibraltar has been under British sovereignty for 300 years; its people are by-and-large happy with the arrangement; and the entire situation is underwritten by international law and treaty. Spain, meanwhile, seems oblivious to its hypocrisy concerning its sovereignty over two (far less successful) coastal enclaves in Morocco.
May Spain's diplomatic tantrums continue to wash over the proud Gibraltarian people as effortlessly as the sea spray assaults their great Rock. May the message go out that Gibraltar shall never be ceded to Spain.
John Richard Tate
The Queen's College The University of Oxford
Oxford OX2 7QZ Great Britain
john.tate@queens.ox.ac.uk
tatejr@parliament.uk
I am incensed at what is being organised by the Spanish Government recently in a bid to acquire what is not theirs. They are up to their old tricks again. Who needs dear old Franco? As for Spanish fishermen, well, they have the worst reputation in Europe for trying to infiltrate whatever they can to obtain whatever fish they can without respect for anything or anybody.
I am mostly incensed though, by the wishy-washy so called Labour Government of 'Great' Britain. Dear Harold Wilson must be turning in his grave, if he can see how the Labour Party has deteriorated into a Scouts Club. They have lost their power (I would like to use another word) when it comes to peoples' rights, and it is very evident in the way Robin Cook deals with foreign affairs.
As for Tony Blair, our esteemed Prime Minister, he befriends anybody who can play a musical instrument. Bill Clinton can play the saxophone, so I hear, so he does what Bill says. Paco Peña plays the guitar, (now you're talking!) so he is not going to upset him either, is he? When that brave Governor of Gibraltar handed his resignation over the feeble way the Government was handling the Fishermen/Border issues Blair is sure to have asked him "Do you play anything, mate?"
Perhaps the Chief Minister of Gibraltar should start an all-musical party!
God Bless
Harry Llufrio (UK)
Eulogio Navarro (Spain)
best wishes,
Graham Thompson (UK)
Spanish Succession. The name given to the war of 1701-1714 between Britain, Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark on the one side, and France, Spain and Bavaria on the other, that was caused by the House of Bourbon (Louis XIV) acceptance of the Spanish throne in defiance of the Partition Treaty of 1700, whereby it was to pass to the Habsbourg (archduke Charles of Austria). Numerous battles were fought, the allies invaded Spain in 1705, and twice occupied Madrid. By the treaties of Utrecht (1713) and Rastatt (1714) the Allies recognised Philip as king of Spain, amongst other territories Gibraltar was ceded to Britain.
Gibraltar as we know it today, a law abiding dependent territory of the U.K. With a new Democratic Constitution granted in 1969, adhering to the traditions of Westminster, has been in the making since 1704. During that same period Spain's chaotic development has been as follows;
1700-1868 Monarchy (Bourbon)
1868-1871 Provisional Government
1871-1873 Monarchy (Savoy)
1873-1874 1st Republic (Head of State changing four times)
1875-1931 Monarchy (Bourbon)
1931-1939 2nd Republic
1939-1975 Dictatorship (Gen. Franco)
1975- Monarchy (Bourbon)
Gibraltar is synonymous with Britain and Europe. British and European history could not be written without reference to Gibraltar. The people of Gibraltar, the Gibraltarians, embrace a diversity of ideologies and religious faiths accompanied by a sense of unity, justice, friendship, tolerance, acceptance and harmony, alien to many a great powers and countries around the World.
Spain is showing the World it has no concept of "HUMAN RIGHTS" nor of "HUMAN DIGNITY". Spain's history stands as testimony to their inability to "Govern and be Governed".
If members of the Schengen Convention can, and obviously do, abuse European Citizens in the manner that Spain does at its border with Gibraltar, then European Unity is but a dream with the potential of becoming a very ugly nightmare.
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Hon. Peter Caruana, has shown his true mettle, a statesman and diplomat, has managed not only to diffuse an explosive situation purposely created by Sr. Matutes, but has at the same time created harmony and a productive agreement.
BRITISH GIBRALTAR IS THE WAY AND THE ONLY WAY.
Manuel Correa (Australia).
At the same time, you forget to mention the nearly 60 EU resolutions that are not complied with by the Gibraltar authorities, and that the EU has backed Spain in the measures of control at the frontier which it has been obliged to impose.
Another small lapsus is that the conflict originated because the Gibraltarian authorities think they have jurisdiction over waters which do not belong to them (I refer to the Treaty of Utrecht); the isthmus does not belong to them either, but about that nothing is said…
I want to make clear my unconditional support of all the measures taken by the Spanish Government, but obviously, this is a letter that you will not publish, because it is not in your interest.
Fernando Arias Rodriguez
Escuela Superior de Ingenieros de Sevilla, Spain
*Letter translated from the Spanish.
It is very funny when the people from Gibraltar say that they must decide their future. Gibraltar has became a parasite state of Spain with no real industry, no fishermen, only banks that take advantage of the special taxes of the colony and do not care too much where the money come from. What will it happen if Gibraltar were part of Spain?, the town will become part of a democratic state with no special taxes and no black money ( or at least no so many as today) . No wonder that the gibraltareños want not to change.
And just another thing to finish, if the different growth rate between Spain and Britain is maintained in a not far future, if parasite towns as Gibraltar do not avoid it, the income per person will be higher as in Britain. By the way if your newspaper belongs to a democracy it will be good to publish all the opinions although, I do not know why but I think you will not publish this opinion.
Juan Bielsa Perez (Germany)
What I'd like to know is:
What motivated a 19 year old girl (I hear that her campaign began in 1994) to fight for the right to vote for a Euro MEP ?
Who put up the money?
Do you guys realise that this judgment in itself could invalidate Gibraltar's Sovereignty in that if Gib is part of the EU then you have already given up your sovereignty to Brussels.
The other thing that seems "strange" to me is that Spain is fighting for sovereignty over Gibraltar BUT Spain has already, by virtue of her membership of the EU ceded her sovereignty to Brussels.
Any ideas on this?
Ken Evans
Campaign for an Independent Guernsey
Tel 00 44 1481 701122
Email: Ken_Evans@compuserve.com
PS: I saw your letter by Sergio Correa II about the USA "protecting" Gibraltar.
Please can you tell me who Sergio Correa II is.
Editor's Note: Mr. Sergio Correa's email address is: xto@alphalink.com.au
22nd to 26th February Oil painting exhibition, Portraits & Landscapes, by William Ignacio in the Upper Exhibition room.
22nd February to 5th March Sculpture Exhibition in the Gallery, John Mackintosh Hall, contact the Hall for further details.
23rd to 26th February Gibraltar Academy of Dance presents "Pinocchio", a ballet adaptation by Paulette Finlayson in the John Mackintosh Hall at 8.30pm, tickets on sale at the John Mac Hall.
Saturday 27th February Marina Bay Arts & Crafts market, from 12 noon till 6pm.
Gibraltar Botanic Garden tour at 3pm. Meeting place at the Nature Shop, the Alameda Cottage, near the entrance at Red Sands Road. No fee but donations are welcome.
Sunday 28th February GONHS Ramble to El Ramblazo, Spain meeting place Spanish side of the frontier at 8am. For further details please contact John (74645) or Ray Murphy on Tel: 71956/ 41477.
Mi Juan dice que se ha enterao que we are going to live on bread and water, y quiere poner un puesto de pan because that's the way to get rich quick.
My dear, for as long as it is pan de Pelayo y agua de Lanjaron...
Estas palomear, Cynthia mia. Tu sabes que lo que se come se cria, don't you? Hay que comer pan ingles and Highland Springs water y nos ponemos fuerte, como los Scottish.
Mind you, si llega a eso, we'll have to make Europort into Europe's biggest bakery - pan de lata, los pistoletes and barguettes mas largo que un fishing boat.
Mira por donde nos ibamos a convertir en un paraiso de pan, unless El Matutero thinks that is also an illicit activity.
That's what my Charlie and I would like to be, a paradise, como Hawaii, porque in our Gibraltar ni los de Paradise Ramp live in paradise.
You tell me, que mi pobre Juan worked for 40 years in the dockia y no le querian dar ni el penshi.
And what about calling us a parasite of Spain? I looked it up in the dictionary, como si fuera el Pita One, where it says that a parasite is "one who frequents the tables of the rich, earning his welcome by flattery; a hanger-on, a sponger."
I must admit que me he comido muchos sponge-cakes, if that makes me a parasite I will ask El Matutero who, being so rich, must be the expert.
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