EMR

Fred do you honestly think that the problems between Spain and Gibraltar even warrent 1 line on the back page of 99% of the worlds news media or broadcast outlets.
You are probably the most vocal supported of Gibraltarian rights to be found anywhere on the internet.
Few are laughing at the UK because even fewer care what is happening on the border between Gib and Spain.
Tough but thats life.

two tubes of toothpaste

The British Government has given frequent and consistent guarantees of security to the people of Gibraltar.

The responsibility of local relations between Gibraltar and Spain lie solely with the Socialist Gibraltar Government of Fabian Picardo. The status quo developed between Britain and Spain has been upset by the Gibraltar Government’s attempt to annex disputed waters for financial gain from reclamation.

The deafening silence from the British Government in support of this act, and the many hints at displeasure, not least of all David Cameron’s decision to overfly Gibraltar to go swimming in the Spanish waters off Lanzarote, should not be misunderstood.

The responsibility for any problems in Gibraltar lie solely with the Gibraltar Government, and the attempt to manipulate the huge goodwill that the people of Britain have for Gibraltar, in attempting to upset harmonious relations between Britain and Spain, is evil.

Domino

Oh that others should be so supportive of their country of residence, be it where they were born, where they now reside (for whatever reason), or where they just go to when wanting a change of scenery.
That can be tough but then that's life I warrant.

two tubes of toothpaste

Oh so true !

However some of us support the British Government's policy ahead of the machinations of some tinpot town council.

Domino

just seems a shame that the British Government don't have the time nor inclination to announce every time they have "dropped a hint" to the Spanish Ambassador when he is called to the Palace of St James, or when certain people meet him at a social function. Then some people would know what is going on in the background.

But then - that is called International Politics, where a word here and a word there has more effect than keep on tittle tattling to the press all the time.

There is more goes on behind closed doors than some posters who pretend to be know it all's but know nothing will ever find out.

`

two tubes of toothpaste

Couldn't agree with you more about diplomacy.

You seem to know it all.

Fredbargate

New motor went for a spin yesterday

Tesla P85 S

Fredbargate

Well the EU have been back this morning ( 8:30 ) and carried out another frontier inspection.

The letters sent to Gib and Spain last year outlining improvements to the frontier were recommendations only and not legally binding.

Gib implemented all the improvements as given

Spain gave the EU the finger.

Maybe1day

Do you get big juicy sparks off the roof I guess it's safe inside though, basically a Faraday cage. You need to turn it up when you drive to La Linea.

Domino

then when it sinks in the bay the distress signal will not get out and upset everyone.

Maybe1day

Just thought the megavolt sparks (Tesla coil etc) could sort out the GC if they stopped you.

Fredbargate

I think it looks better in red

Fredbargate

House of Commons Hansard Debates for 03 July 2014 (pt 0002)

Gibraltar
Select Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sir Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con):
When problems emerged in Gibraltar last summer, with seven-hour-long delays to cross the border, the Foreign Affairs Committee took a strong interest in the situation and in what the Government were doing, and were going to do, in response. On Tuesday, the Committee published its report, “Gibraltar: Time to get off the fence”. We concluded that the behaviour of Spain towards Gibraltar is unacceptable. A NATO and EU ally is, as a matter of deliberate policy, impacting the economy and functioning of a British overseas territory. In our opinion, it is time for the Government to take a tougher line.

the deliberately imposed border delays; aggressive maritime incursions; calculated pressure at the EU and the UN; and inflammatory rhetoric from Spanish Ministers about Gibraltar’s sovereignty and its economic affairs.

We acknowledge that Spain’s actions have placed the UK Government in a difficult position. They have a strong bilateral relationship with Spain that is in the interests of all British citizens, including the 1 million Britons who live in Spain. However, the Government also have responsibilities towards Gibraltar and cannot ignore actions by Spain that are intended to make the lives of Gibraltarians more difficult.

We have no doubt that delays imposed by Spain at the border with Gibraltar are politically motivated, and that the border is being used as a means of coercion. The Government should state publicly that they will take legal action against Spain in the European Court if there is little improvement at the border in the next six months

Spain continues to use international institutions as a means of applying pressure on Gibraltar. Gibraltar remains on the UN list of non-self-governing territories, despite repeated UK Government attempts to de-list it. Only a few weeks ago, Spanish MEPs in the European Parliament were trying to limit Gibraltar’s aviation rights. Spain also continues to refuse to allow direct military movements between Gibraltar and Spain, even among its NATO partners. As a result of this, Gibraltar feels it is under siege

The Government’s laudable attempts to de-escalate the dispute have not worked. They were right to try diplomacy, but they must now take a more robust approach, as long as this is agreed with the Government of Gibraltar. We recommend that the Government take some immediate actions now,

it is worth noting that the Spanish ambassador has been called into the Foreign Office—I think—six times since the escalation of this incident, and that only the Syrian ambassador has been called in more frequently.



Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con):
We have seen, over a long period, shameful and disgraceful behaviour on the part of a so-called NATO and EU ally, Spain, against the people of Gibraltar

I can tell the House that it was on 10 May 1954 that the Queen of Gibraltar, our own Head of State, visited the Rock. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is time Her Majesty was advised that it would be timely for her to visit the people of Gibraltar?

Sandra Osborne (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab):
Are the Spanish Government trying to take attention away from the serious economic circumstances in Spain?

Sir Richard Ottaway:
He makes a very strong point about Ceuta and Melilla. Spain argues that there is a constitutional difference involved, but I find it utterly hypocritical that it should take such a line.

Sir Richard Ottaway
I gather from private conversations that the Foreign Office is actively looking at the situation and that it has made repeated attempts to take Gibraltar off that list ( the UN list of non-self-governing countries )

two tubes of toothpaste

No mention of any concrete blocks being dumped into disputed waters ? Shows how badly informed and biased this committee is.

Isn't Andrew Rossindale the idiot that pointed out that Gibraltar couldn't be made out on the Commonwealth Games World map and looked like it was part of Spain ?

jimenato

How many times have you got to be told that all this was going on way before the particular blocks were laid - you are the only one who thinks that they are the cause of all this.