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Political Unity will see-off Spanish aggression again
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The current Fishing Problem with Spain is quickly turning into a ‘Dangerous Crisis’, as it has been patently clear over the past few weeks in particular, how the Spanish Government has manipulated not only their press, but the majority of public opinion into believing, that the offender or the guilty party in the current dispute are the people of Gibraltar and its Government.
However if one analyses the present water's conflict with Spain, it was never really about fishing rights or if the Gibraltar Government had this year kicked-into-touch the 1999 fishing agreement.
Looking back, the 1999 fishing agreement may have served its initial purpose in quelling the tension that had existed at that time, but many feel that the infamous fishing agreement always had an obvious semblance of sovereignty running right through the middle of it.
If you think back over these last 12/13 years, in fact, since more or less the start of the fishing agreement, the countless incursions in British/Gibraltar waters, not only the Guardia Civil, but other Spanish agencies. Just think back how many times these incursions have been reported in the local press, and the numerous angry reactions from members of this community.
The Spanish Government has continuously over the years, attempted to test the resolve of the people of Gibraltar regarding the sovereignty of our waters, even with the Cordoba agreement in place, including the tripartite talks and the fishing agreement itself.
Spain has slowly made strategic sovereignty advances regarding the waters issue. This is not even taking into account the E.U’S Estrecho Oriental matter, which is another important thread in all this, one which is waiting EU appeal court ears.
So let’s not be too shocked about what is happening out in the bay at the moment, because our dear neighbour has always had this knack of fuelling diplomatic tension regarding Gibraltar, particularly where territorial waters are concerned.
Gibraltar Must Unite
Although on the question of political tension, what about our own tension right here on the Rock. The present crisis with Spain out in the bay, is building up as one of the most serious diplomatic encounters in recent times. Already as we have seen, mainly via the various social media networks, how many are voicing all these patriotic sentiments which are great, but rather got lost in time over the years…These are partisan comments that at one time were part of everyday life in Gibraltar.
The fact that Gibraltar is still a nation which has two main political stations which practically send a news item to the slaughter house, until it sounds biased enough for the gullible not only to believe, but to repeat ad nauseam at the supermarket' or at the butchers shop.
It is also the same Gibraltar that has to be politically mature enough to accept that in our nation there are various social realities which are not going to disappear just by looking the other way. Take drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, child abuse and inequalities in our society and more! All are social issues that have for many years been allowed to ferment because of apathy and turned heads!
Then if you look to other more condensed political issues, like our relations with Spain especially over the past 15 years, then include the Cordoba agreement, the Tripartite’s, the New Airport Terminal and of course the 1999 fishing agreement and a host of other issues. True, they are all issues that have been important for Gibraltar, although again, this depending on your political colours. All these latter issues are some of the causes of the division in society today.
The serious problem regarding the sovereignty of our waters has the potential to cause Gibraltar great harm - it will - if as a nation - we do not set aside political differences and talk and think with one voice.
Unity and Maturity
Unity and Maturity do not fall from the sky or appear in our living rooms while we're sipping a cuppa and watching a football match.
Unity and maturity requires a huge effort and sometimes political culture change, unity also requires everyone to take a step back, get rid of some of their pride, leave the past behind no matter how much resentment it holds and work together for one, positive future for Gibraltar.
Unity and maturity is in my opinion only possible if we learn to be loyal to our nation first and foremost, if we learn to use politics as a tool which benefits not the political party or individual(s) but the collective interests of the place we call home and that of our forefathers who got us where we are now!
28-05-12
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