Spain to UK, Gibraltar: "The party is over!"

[Syt]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/04/gibraltar-comments-madrid-london-uk-spain

Gibraltar 'the party is over' comments from Madrid raise concerns in London

Foreign Office vows to safeguard British sovereignty over Rock after Spanish minister escalates row, promising a harder line

The Foreign Office voiced "concern" on Sunday night following comments from the Spanish foreign minister, which appear to suggest Madrid is preparing to take a harder line in the escalating dispute over Gibraltar.

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC, José García-Margallo criticised the conciliatory stance taken by the previous government towards the Mediterranean outpost saying, "The party is over".

The minister suggested a €50 (£43.40) fee could be imposed on every vehicle entering or leaving the territory, known as the Rock, via the border with Spain. The minister said the proceeds would be used to help Spanish fishermen affected by damage to fishing grounds allegedly caused by the Gibraltarian authorities. Such a fee would be a punitive cost on residents who regularly commute to Spain for work.

Spain is also considering closing its airspace to flights heading to Gibraltar, and changing the law so that online gaming companies operating from the British overseas territory have to use Spanish servers and come under the jurisdiction of Madrid's taxation regime, García-Margallo said. He also indicated that the Spanish tax authorities may launch an investigation into property owned by about 6,000 Gibraltarians in neighbouring parts of Spain, as part of its EU obligations to control "fiscal irregularities".

Spain disputes Britain's three centuries of sovereignty over Gibraltar, which is home to close to 30,000 people with an economy dominated by off-shore banking, internet gambling operations and tourism.

Under the previous socialist government, Spain softened its stance on the territory, discussing other issues without bringing up sovereignty while agreeing to give Gibraltar a voice in any talks with Britain over its status.

The centre-right government of Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has taken a harder line regarding its claim on the territory. London has made clear that it will not negotiate over sovereignty as long as Gibraltar's people want to remain British.

"We are concerned by comments on Gibraltar which we are looking into further," a foreign office spokesman said.

"As we have said, we will not compromise on our sovereignty over Gibraltar, nor our commitment to its people. We continue to use all necessary measures to safeguard British sovereignty."

García-Margallo's comments represent the latest escalation in the dispute over the status of Gibraltar, following a number of alleged Spanish incursions into the territory's waters.

William Hague, the foreign secretary, last weekend phoned his Spanish counterpart to complain about Spain ramping up border checks, which forced drivers to wait for up to seven hours in searing heat. On Saturday, the Foreign Office summoned the Spanish ambassador to demand assurances that there would be no repeat of the excessive checks.

The authorities in Gibraltar said the elderly, children and the infirm were forced to wait in up to 30C heat, with the medical services treating people who were stuck in the queues.

Boats from Gibraltar began dumping blocks of concrete into the sea near the territory almost two weeks ago, saying it was creating an artificial reef that would foster fish populations.

Spain said the reef would block its fishing boats and ramped up border checks, creating long lines at the border between Spain and the territory.

Gibraltar complained to the European commission over what it says are unreasonable controls at the border, saying they violate European Union rules on free movement.

[Valmy]

This Spanish charm offensive is sure to win the hearts and minds of the people of Gibraltar.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

spain has apparently learned nothing from their Argentine brethren

[Razgovory]

What crawled up their asses?  I wonder, has Gibraltar been British longer then it has been Spanish?

[Tamas]

Economic troubles - saber-rattling to switch attention. How innovative

[Viking]

What crawled up their asses?  I wonder, has Gibraltar been British longer then it has been Spanish?

iirc, last year gibraltar celebrated being british for 100 years longer than it was spanish.

[Iormlund]

Nobody cares that much about Gibraltar, especially now. So if the escalation is an attempt to divert attention from corruption allegations on Rajoy or the crisis itself, it is bound to fail.

That being said, the entire economy of the area (at both sides of the border) revolves around smuggling and tax dodging. So the government can close down the Rock for all I care.

[Josquius]

spain has apparently learned nothing from their Argentine brethren

On the contrary, seems like they're copying them to the letter; unemployed masses? economy collapsing? Look! Jangly keys of nationalism!

I'm noticing a lot of the same kind of thing in the UK this summer. 

[Ed Anger]

The Daily Mail is gonna be so fun now. 

Hands off you bloody DAGOS.

[mongers]

This will escalate a little further over the next few months, it'll suit both the embattled Spain PM and Cameron, helping to divert peoples attention way from domestic economic troubles. 

[Viking]

Nobody cares that much about Gibraltar, especially now. So if the escalation is an attempt to divert attention from corruption allegations on Rajoy or the crisis itself, it is bound to fail.

That being said, the entire economy of the area (at both sides of the border) revolves around smuggling and tax dodging. So the government can close down the Rock for all I care.

That said, there are real issues with regard to gibraltar about tax havens, money laundering, online gambling and similar issues. Resolving those issues will not happen while one party seeks to cause the other party to cease to exist. This precise problem persistently prevents putative peace deals in the perpetual palestine israel conflict. (sorry, got a bit carried away there...)

[mongers]

Will the RN still have the fighting spirit or resources to come to the resue?

Falklands War admiral Sandy Woodward dies aged 81

An admiral who led Britain's task force in the 1982 Falklands War has died after a long illness, aged 81, his daughter has told the BBC.

Sir Sandy Woodward was commander of the carrier force sent by then-PM Margaret Thatcher to retake the Falklands.

He served as deputy chief of the defence staff from 1985 and was made admiral in 1987.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond paid tribute, saying Adm Woodward would be remembered as the "Fighting Admiral".

rest of article here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23575534

[CountDeMoney]

Will the RN still have the fighting spirit or resources to come to the resue?

They're not going to have the resources to support his funeral procession.

[Viking]

Will the RN still have the fighting spirit or resources to come to the resue?

It's more a case of will the FFAA have the fighting spirit and resources to cross the neutral zone.

[Iormlund]

Nobody cares that much about Gibraltar, especially now. So if the escalation is an attempt to divert attention from corruption allegations on Rajoy or the crisis itself, it is bound to fail.

That being said, the entire economy of the area (at both sides of the border) revolves around smuggling and tax dodging. So the government can close down the Rock for all I care.

That said, there are real issues with regard to gibraltar about tax havens, money laundering, online gambling and similar issues. Resolving those issues will not happen while one party seeks to cause the other party to cease to exist. This precise problem persistently prevents putative peace deals in the perpetual palestine israel conflict. (sorry, got a bit carried away there...)

The sovereignty issue is irrelevant. Gibraltar is hardly the only pirate haven of Her Majesty. Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Jersey ...