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Spain upset by Caruana's Referendum motion
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EXCLUSIVE by JOE GARCIA
The constitution referendum Motion proposed by the Chief Minister has upset the Spanish Foreign Ministry, who have complained about it, said official sources.
The Spanish displeasure was made known to the Chief Minister last week.
Although the Motion is essentially a re-statement of points that have been made public in the past, it could be that read jointly in one document may appear to be too strong and definite for Madrid to digest comfortably.
It appears that Madrid is specifically concerned about the referendum question as such.
The question reads: In exercise of your right to self determination, do you approve and accept the proposed new Constitution for Gibraltar?
The question does not qualify what self determination means.
The Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has been arguing in Spain that the new Constitution protects Spanish interests. This is because the text, as he sees it, reaffirms the validity of the Treaty of Utrecht, does not diminish British sovereignty in favour of 'Gibraltarian' sovereignty and is seen by both Spain and Britain as a barrier to Gibraltar's independence without Spain being in agreement.
The row that has emerged behind the scenes, and which PANORAMA now reveals, explains why the Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon suddenly last Thursday is-
sued a statement in London re-staring British policy on the constitution.
He restated that "Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht gives Spain the right of refusal should Britain ever renounce sovereignty. Thus independence would only be an option with Spanish consent.
This is what the Spanish Foreign Ministry had wanted to hear (again), as well as that the additional self-government was over Gibraltar's "internal affairs."
BOSSANO'S AMENDMENTS
Against this background, the amendments to Caruana's motion which have been proposed by Leader of the Opposition Joe Bossano will attain new significance.
Mr Bossano has strengthened aspects of the original Motion, generally placing the new Constitution in a context that would be easier for the United Nations to accept, including that there is a fourth option under which a colonial people can freely choose a new political status in the exercise of self-determination.
The notion that what is on offer is "the maximum" degree of self-government that Britain considers compatible with British sovereignty is down for removal.
If the amendments are accepted by the Government at today's meeting of the House, many in the 'No' camp might begin to adopt a new stance.
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