Gibraltar
Jan 4th 2015, 5:56 am
#2176
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Re: Gibraltar
Spain tries to stop US Congress support for Gib:UK Parliament to debate on Gibraltar
Date: 04 January 2015 at 14:32
Spain will be feeling the pressure of intensified lobbying in support of Gibraltar in both Britain and the U.S. On Thursday the UK Parliament will debate a motion on Gibraltar, presented by the Back Bench Business Committee. On the other side of the Atlantic, congressmen have pledged to continue supporting Gibraltar's rights to Self Determination, despite interventions from Spain. The story is covered by the Sunday Express.
In Parliament next week MPs are expected to ask Britain to take Spain to the European Court of Justice over its flagrant breaches of sovereignty. They intend to increase the pressure on the Government and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond after criticism that he has failed to properly deal with the issue. It follows an ultimatum by the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee which gave the Foreign Office six months to take action. The Sunday Express quoted the committee chairman Richard Ottaway MP as saying
“We have been a soft touch for long enough. We told the Government that if there was no improvement in six months, Article 259 of the Lisbon treaty should be invoked, and we should take Spain to the European Court of Justice. “Well, six months have passed and little has changed: the delays are still going on, Spain is still illegally intruding in British territorial wars and air space, and Madrid is unwilling to enter into even ad hoc talks with Britain.”
And the paper reports of a separate development last night, Madrid, it says, was accused of “shameful” behaviour after using its support of the war against the Islamic State terror group to persuade US politicians to drop plans to officially back Britain’s claim over Gibraltar. It claims, it was a panicking Spain that was on Saturday night accused of resorting to “dirty tricks” in efforts to persuade Democrat and Republican Congressmen supporting a Resolution on Gibraltar's rights to self determination to back down.
The veiled threat, according to the Sunday Express, was contained in a letter penned by Spain’s Ambassador to the US to the Resolution’s chief sponsor, Congressman George Holding.
In the letter, Ambassador Ramon Gil-Casares states: “Leaving aside the political opportunity of such a Resolution, precisely when my country is an active member of the United States led coalition against ISIL, as Ambassador for the Kingdom of Spain to the United States of America I respectfully and deeply regret that such a text has made its way to the Venerable House of Representatives.”
The letter, claims the paper, goes on to inaccurately refer to Gibraltar as a “colony”.
Andrew Rosindell MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Overseas Territory group, reacted furiously to the news.
“To use the of the war against terror as a lever over the issue of Gibraltar, a situation of its own causing, and so soon after the beheadings of British and American citizens, is absolutely shameful. Spain is behaving in an appalling way,” he said.
Gerald Howarth MP added: “How dare Spain play the terror card in this tasteless fashion? Where are Spanish fighter jets as Britain and the US and other coalition members bomb ISIL positions over Iraq? This was a tasteless and frankly desperate ploy by Spain.“
Last night the Congressman behind the Resolution pledged to continue his support, despite Spain’s intervention.
“The citizens of Gibraltar have freely and democratically expressed their wish to remain a British Overseas Territory – and it is certainly my intention to support them moving forward,” Congressman Holding, of North Carolina, told the Sunday Express.
The Sunday Express quotes a Foreign Office spokesman:
"The Government welcomes Parliament’s focus on Gibraltar.
"We are continuing to take robust action to defend Gibraltar's interests, including by protesting at the highest levels against continuing incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and delays at the border, both with the European Commission and the Spanish Government."
GBC | Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation
The Sunday Express:-
Britain's threat of legal action to Spain on Gibraltar
BRITAIN should take Spain to the European Court of Justice over its flagrant breaches of sovereignty in Gibraltar, MPs will say next week.
Full article:-
Britain's legal threat to Spain on Gibraltar | World | News | Daily Express
Date: 04 January 2015 at 14:32
Spain will be feeling the pressure of intensified lobbying in support of Gibraltar in both Britain and the U.S. On Thursday the UK Parliament will debate a motion on Gibraltar, presented by the Back Bench Business Committee. On the other side of the Atlantic, congressmen have pledged to continue supporting Gibraltar's rights to Self Determination, despite interventions from Spain. The story is covered by the Sunday Express.
In Parliament next week MPs are expected to ask Britain to take Spain to the European Court of Justice over its flagrant breaches of sovereignty. They intend to increase the pressure on the Government and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond after criticism that he has failed to properly deal with the issue. It follows an ultimatum by the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee which gave the Foreign Office six months to take action. The Sunday Express quoted the committee chairman Richard Ottaway MP as saying
“We have been a soft touch for long enough. We told the Government that if there was no improvement in six months, Article 259 of the Lisbon treaty should be invoked, and we should take Spain to the European Court of Justice. “Well, six months have passed and little has changed: the delays are still going on, Spain is still illegally intruding in British territorial wars and air space, and Madrid is unwilling to enter into even ad hoc talks with Britain.”
And the paper reports of a separate development last night, Madrid, it says, was accused of “shameful” behaviour after using its support of the war against the Islamic State terror group to persuade US politicians to drop plans to officially back Britain’s claim over Gibraltar. It claims, it was a panicking Spain that was on Saturday night accused of resorting to “dirty tricks” in efforts to persuade Democrat and Republican Congressmen supporting a Resolution on Gibraltar's rights to self determination to back down.
The veiled threat, according to the Sunday Express, was contained in a letter penned by Spain’s Ambassador to the US to the Resolution’s chief sponsor, Congressman George Holding.
In the letter, Ambassador Ramon Gil-Casares states: “Leaving aside the political opportunity of such a Resolution, precisely when my country is an active member of the United States led coalition against ISIL, as Ambassador for the Kingdom of Spain to the United States of America I respectfully and deeply regret that such a text has made its way to the Venerable House of Representatives.”
The letter, claims the paper, goes on to inaccurately refer to Gibraltar as a “colony”.
Andrew Rosindell MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Overseas Territory group, reacted furiously to the news.
“To use the of the war against terror as a lever over the issue of Gibraltar, a situation of its own causing, and so soon after the beheadings of British and American citizens, is absolutely shameful. Spain is behaving in an appalling way,” he said.
Gerald Howarth MP added: “How dare Spain play the terror card in this tasteless fashion? Where are Spanish fighter jets as Britain and the US and other coalition members bomb ISIL positions over Iraq? This was a tasteless and frankly desperate ploy by Spain.“
Last night the Congressman behind the Resolution pledged to continue his support, despite Spain’s intervention.
“The citizens of Gibraltar have freely and democratically expressed their wish to remain a British Overseas Territory – and it is certainly my intention to support them moving forward,” Congressman Holding, of North Carolina, told the Sunday Express.
The Sunday Express quotes a Foreign Office spokesman:
"The Government welcomes Parliament’s focus on Gibraltar.
"We are continuing to take robust action to defend Gibraltar's interests, including by protesting at the highest levels against continuing incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and delays at the border, both with the European Commission and the Spanish Government."
GBC | Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation
The Sunday Express:-
Britain's threat of legal action to Spain on Gibraltar
BRITAIN should take Spain to the European Court of Justice over its flagrant breaches of sovereignty in Gibraltar, MPs will say next week.
Full article:-
Britain's legal threat to Spain on Gibraltar | World | News | Daily Express
Jan 4th 2015, 7:05 am
#2177
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Re: Gibraltar
The Portugal News reports this week that SPAIN is picking a fight over some Island and therefor sea and no doubt fish and oil in the Atlantic. So it's not just Gib. and UK.
They ignore their own economic woes, the massive corruption right at the top of government and threat from Podemos. They are quite mad!
They ignore their own economic woes, the massive corruption right at the top of government and threat from Podemos. They are quite mad!
Jan 4th 2015, 7:52 am
#2178
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Re: Gibraltar
The Portugal News reports this week that SPAIN is picking a fight over some Island and therefor sea and no doubt fish and oil in the Atlantic. So it's not just Gib. and UK.
They ignore their own economic woes, the massive corruption right at the top of government and threat from Podemos. They are quite mad!
They ignore their own economic woes, the massive corruption right at the top of government and threat from Podemos. They are quite mad!
Jan 4th 2015, 8:18 am
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Jan 4th 2015, 8:51 am
#2180
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Re: Gibraltar
Jan 4th 2015, 9:06 pm
#2181
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Re: Gibraltar
The Portugal News reports this week that SPAIN is picking a fight over some Island and therefor sea and no doubt fish and oil in the Atlantic. So it's not just Gib. and UK.
They ignore their own economic woes, the massive corruption right at the top of government and threat from Podemos. They are quite mad!
They ignore their own economic woes, the massive corruption right at the top of government and threat from Podemos. They are quite mad!
However more immediate concernto me is the story on your link John to the bludgeoning in Alvor where I'm staying at the moment
Jan 5th 2015, 5:25 am
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Re: Gibraltar
RAF's latest transporter calls at Gibraltar
Author: GBCDate: 05 January 2015 at 13:24
The RAF’s latest transporter was in Gibraltar this past weekend for the second time in a matter of days, as part of routine operational tasking. The A400M arrived on the 30th of December and left on New Year's Eve, returning on Friday for another overnight stay.
The transport plane – named the Atlas – will evenutally replace the RAF's ageing fleet of C-130 Hercules planes. The A400M is capable of transporting more troops and cargo further and faster than the long-serving Hercules. Based in Oxfordshire, the A400M is able to carry 32 tonnes of cargo and can also be converted to act as an aerial refuelling tanker.
The plane was assembled in Seville, but is the product of an international project, with parts built across Europe. Its carbon-composite wings were made near Bristol and are the biggest ever on a military aircraft.
The Atlas is part of a 22-plane order that will boost the UK military's air transport capabilities. The cost of the programme for the UK is £2.8 billion, sustaining 8,000 UK jobs across the supply chain.
GBC | Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation
Author: GBCDate: 05 January 2015 at 13:24
The RAF’s latest transporter was in Gibraltar this past weekend for the second time in a matter of days, as part of routine operational tasking. The A400M arrived on the 30th of December and left on New Year's Eve, returning on Friday for another overnight stay.
The transport plane – named the Atlas – will evenutally replace the RAF's ageing fleet of C-130 Hercules planes. The A400M is capable of transporting more troops and cargo further and faster than the long-serving Hercules. Based in Oxfordshire, the A400M is able to carry 32 tonnes of cargo and can also be converted to act as an aerial refuelling tanker.
The plane was assembled in Seville, but is the product of an international project, with parts built across Europe. Its carbon-composite wings were made near Bristol and are the biggest ever on a military aircraft.
The Atlas is part of a 22-plane order that will boost the UK military's air transport capabilities. The cost of the programme for the UK is £2.8 billion, sustaining 8,000 UK jobs across the supply chain.
GBC | Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation
Jan 5th 2015, 7:03 am
#2183
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Re: Gibraltar
We love Alvor but it is a bit to close to Alberfiera but I would have thought that in winter that sort of thingwould not happen!
Jan 8th 2015, 6:11 am
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Jan 8th 2015, 6:43 am
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Re: Gibraltar
Excellent article. Just had a quick look through. I see the Gibraltar economy has 10.3% growth per annum and ranks Gib. as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Jan 8th 2015, 7:23 pm
#2187
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Re: Gibraltar
If you think that being a tax haven and encouraging gambling to be good things is morally sound then well done GiB ?!!!!
Jan 8th 2015, 8:34 pm
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Jan 8th 2015, 8:40 pm
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Jan 8th 2015, 8:41 pm
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Re: Gibraltar
Gibraltar working to advance self-determination - CM
As the Spanish political landscape is in flux, Gibraltar is working hard to establish a dialogue with the Spanish Government that does not compromise any of the Rock’s fundamental interests. And with municipal and national elections due in Spain in coming months, Gibraltar is also talking to representatives of all Spanish political parties.
That was the position stated by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo in his New Year message last night.
Mr Picardo said that despite the attitude displayed to Gibraltar by some elements of the Spanish political establishment, “we will always remain reasonable and ready for dialogue – whilst never being found wanting when it comes to defending Gibraltar from unjustified attacks.”
“No one should believe that our desire to start reasonable dialogue will dissuade us from continuing to defend our legitimate interests. We will be working harder than ever in our international lobbying to continue to advance our self-determination.”
The Chief Minister said that Gibraltar will now be able to do even more in Brussels with its own office there to advance the Rock’s position with the EU.
And he emphasised that the coming elections in the United Kingdom will be important in every respect to Gibraltar.
“Depending on the result, they may lead to a potential referendum that may re-cast our relationship with the EU. That is why, in preparation for such a potential referendum, we are in the process of carrying out an in depth analysis of different areas of our economy in order to best calibrate our response to such a potential challenge in the future.”
Other announcements in the message included the publication of a Bill for an Act to create a permanent ‘Privy Council’ style Advisory Commission to the Chief Minister.
Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801
As the Spanish political landscape is in flux, Gibraltar is working hard to establish a dialogue with the Spanish Government that does not compromise any of the Rock’s fundamental interests. And with municipal and national elections due in Spain in coming months, Gibraltar is also talking to representatives of all Spanish political parties.
That was the position stated by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo in his New Year message last night.
Mr Picardo said that despite the attitude displayed to Gibraltar by some elements of the Spanish political establishment, “we will always remain reasonable and ready for dialogue – whilst never being found wanting when it comes to defending Gibraltar from unjustified attacks.”
“No one should believe that our desire to start reasonable dialogue will dissuade us from continuing to defend our legitimate interests. We will be working harder than ever in our international lobbying to continue to advance our self-determination.”
The Chief Minister said that Gibraltar will now be able to do even more in Brussels with its own office there to advance the Rock’s position with the EU.
And he emphasised that the coming elections in the United Kingdom will be important in every respect to Gibraltar.
“Depending on the result, they may lead to a potential referendum that may re-cast our relationship with the EU. That is why, in preparation for such a potential referendum, we are in the process of carrying out an in depth analysis of different areas of our economy in order to best calibrate our response to such a potential challenge in the future.”
Other announcements in the message included the publication of a Bill for an Act to create a permanent ‘Privy Council’ style Advisory Commission to the Chief Minister.
Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801
