IS THERE CO-OPERATION OVER GIBRALTAR?
A Report for BBC World Service “Calling the Falklands” by Dee Palmer (DP) 29/10/04
On Wednesday, Jack Straw had talks in Madrid with his Spanish counterpart. Not surprisingly, the subject of Gibraltar was on the agenda. Some of the coverage in today’s British papers implied that Spain has started a climb-down from its claim to sovereignty over the territory. But speaking on the BBC World Service Programme “Europe Today,” Peter Caruana,(PC) Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, set the record straight, while restating his own position.
PC: It is clear, however, that we understand the Spanish Government, regardless of whether it’s from the left or right is not going to abandon, much as we’d like it to be so, is not going to abandon its claim to the sovereignty of Gibraltar. That is just a fact of life, which we will continue to oppose and they will continue to assert. What we have been saying is, not withstanding our differences on sovereignty and not withstanding that they are irreconcilable let us nevertheless engage each other as modern European neighbours.
DP: That interpretation of the issue is endorsed by Spanish MP Raphael Estrada, (RE) who is a Parliamentary spokesman on Foreign Affairs for the governing Socialist party.
RE: We are encouraging a new course in which, without giving up Spanish claims on Gibraltar, we want to start working on a new course and building a bridge and trying to establish confidence-building measures.
DP: That will be done through a new forum where Gibraltar would have its own voice. The exact structure of this forum is yet to be worked out. Speaking after the Madrid meeting, Jack Straw (JS) had this to say about the position of the British Government.
JS: We will always honour the wishes of the people of Gibraltar as to their future. So, unless they are fully able to participate there is certainly no point in having discussions. This is a very, very difficult issue for the people of Gibraltar, also a difficult issue for the people of Spain. The only way to move forward is on the basis of democracy and consent.
DP: That was Jack Straw speaking in Madrid earlier this week.
(100X Transcription Service)
