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Gibraltar is 'colony' only to ensure its British nationality
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The Opposition says it welcomes the fact that the British Ambassador to the United Nations, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, has explained to the UN Secretary General that the only reason why Gibraltar continues to be listed in the UK Nationality Act as a British Overseas Territory is to ensure the continuity of our British nationality.
It adds however that it is regrettable that in the text of the despatch from the Foreign Secretary to the Governor, which accompanied the constitution, it was not described in identical terms. This has permitted Spain to argue that because Gibraltar remains listed as a British Overseas Territory, notwithstanding that we are considered to have exercised our right to self-determination, implies that Gibraltar?s status remains unchanged.
REMINDS
The letter reminds the UN that the principle of territorial integrity is not applicable to Gibraltar?s decolonisation. Our position has always been that there is only one applicable principle in the decolonisation process, namely the exercise of the right of self-determination.
The text of the annual consensus decision that the UK subscribed to last October included the phrase ?applicable principles? in relation to Gibraltar?s decolonisation. By using the plural, it implied that some principle other than self-determination was applicable and allowed Spain to argue that in Gibraltar?s case that other principle was territorial integrity.
The Ambassador?s letter repeats what Jack Straw said in his letter of March 2006, namely that it ?has also been the long-standing view of the United Kingdom that none of its remaining overseas territories including Gibraltar, should remain on the United Nations list of non-self governing territories??
CONFIRMS
"This confirms to the UN that UK is not arguing that its view is the result of Gibraltar?s new constitution but that in fact it was already a view they held before in respect of all its Overseas Territories. It could hardly be said to be a ?long-standing? view if it only took effect after 2 January when Gibraltar?s constitution came into effect! Moreover, this policy applies irrespective of the level of self-government that each territory enjoys under their respective constitutions," says the GSLP/Liberal Alliance.
It adds: In order to be consistent with what the British Ambassador has said in this letter, it follows that the UK should not have been supporting the consensus resolution when it comes before the UN 4th Committee in October.
*The UK letter to the UN says this: For nationality purposes, Gibraltar will remain listed as a British Overseas Territory in the British Nationality Act of 1981, as amended by the British Overseas Territory Act 2002.
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