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UN decolonisation committee stays mute on self-determination for Gibraltar
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The UN decolonisation committee has chosen not to make any changes to the usual position, whereby self-determination would not be recognised if there exists a sovereignty dispute, such as in the case of Gibraltar.
This would be a set-back for Gibraltar's hopes of getting the committee to accept self-determination and not embroil it in a territorial dispute. The role of the decolonisation committee is seen as seeking decolonisation by the usual decolonisation methods and should have nothing to do with anyone claiming someone else.
In general terms that is the Gibraltar position - but is anyone hearing us?
A Spanish agency report says that the report of the decolonisation committee to the General Assembly does not change the standard position on Gibraltar, despite the renewed insistence from Gibraltar and also the Falklands, which is claimed by Argentina.
The document unanimously adopted makes reference to the recent seminar in the Caribbean island of Grenada.
It recently emerged that the committee had put in a petition to visit Gibraltar but this had not been replied to by the UK, which is not keen in accepting such visits to its colonies.
The foreign Office has been silent on this question.
With Gibraltar's right to self-determination not being recognised by the UN, Gibraltar will continue to remain listed as a colony.
This raises questions about the meaning of the new Constitution which has been sold in Gibraltar as a decolonising document.
Gibraltar leaders are due to attend the UN again in October, but the situation is looking as always.
What remains to be seen is if Britain is prepared to change its position, given the stance taken as regards the new Constitution and the referendum.
What cannot be seen as fair and reasonable is that Britain should tell Gibraltar one thing, but take a different position at the UN.
Gibraltar leaders will no doubt be eager to find out what Britain has up her sleeve, if anything, when Gibraltar crops up again at the UN in October.
The people of Gibraltar also want to know.
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