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Spanish prime minister raises 'anachronism' of Gibraltar at UN Spanish prime minister raises 'anachronism' of Gibraltar at UN
(about 7 hours later)
The Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, described Gibraltar's status as an "anachronism" in a speech before the United Nations general assembly, in the latest salvo over the contested British territory. The Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has described Gibraltar as an "anachronism" in a speech before the United Nations general assembly, in the latest salvo over the contested British territory.
Speaking on Wednesday night, Rajoy said: "This anachronism continues to cause inconvenience to the citizens of Gibraltar," as well as to those Spaniards who live on the other side of the border. Speaking on Wednesday night, Rajoy said: "This anachronism continues to cause inconvenience to the citizens of Gibraltar and the surrounding area." He accused Britain of disregarding the process of decolonisation approved by the UN in the 1960s and called for dialogue with London.
Rajoy accused Britain of disregarding the process of decolonisation approved by the UN in the 1960s and called for dialogue with London. The speech was originally scripted to include the phrase "colonial anachronism", but was toned down at the last minute, perhaps in recognition of political sensitivities after a summer of London and Madrid at loggerheads over Gibraltar.
Rajoy's speech came shortly after officials from the European commission completed a one-day visit to Gibraltar to inspect border controls. The EC team went following complaints that Spanish border officials were causing lines of traffic to build up, making daily life a misery for people either side of the border. It is not the first time Rajoy has raised the issue of Gibraltar before the general assembly. It was first brought before the UN in 1963.
The six-person EC team carried out a "technical fact-finding mission" on both sides of the border, interviewing residents and inspecting immigration and customs procedures. "Once again, I must place before this assembly the question of Gibraltar, a British colony, which this organisation included, in 1963, in the list of non-self-governing territories awaiting decolonisation," he said.
The increased security on the Spanish side came after a dispute with the UK this summer over an artificial underwater reef. Gibraltar's government dropped 74 concrete blocks into the sea in a disputed area of water regularly used by Spanish fishing boats. Gibraltar described the artificial reef as a necessary environmental protection, but the Spanish government saw it as an act of provocation. The dispute simmered all summer, leading to the intervention by the EC. "This is the only such territory in Europe, and one that affects our own territorial integrity.
The Spanish foreign minister, Jorge Fernández Díaz, on Wednesday reiterated the claim that Gibraltar "was not working with Spain to tackle the illegal smuggling of tobacco", and other illegal activities, and that Spain had no choice but "to increase controls on the border, which is causing the extra-long queues". "Since that date, the UK has ignored the mandate of the UN general assembly and the commitment made to Spain in the 1984 Brussels declaration."
In a statement, the government of Gibraltar accused Fernández of talking "complete nonsense … [he] should know better than to make factually incorrect statements of this kind. The reality is that the laws against tobacco smuggling are tougher in Gibraltar than they are in Spain itself. The reality is that Gibraltar has transposed, implemented and fully complies with all EU directives against money laundering." Rajoy's speech came shortly after officials from the European commission completed a one-day visit to Gibraltar to inspect border controls. The team was in Gibraltar following complaints that Spanish border officials were causing lines of traffic to build up, making daily life a misery for people either side of the border.
The EC team consisted of officials from the department of home affairs, customs union and justice, as well as the European anti-fraud office (Olaf), investigating allegations from Spain that Gibraltar is a haven for smuggling of illegal contraband, particularly cheap cigarettes. The six-person team carried out what it described as a "technical fact-finding mission" on both sides of the border, interviewing local people and inspecting immigration and customs procedures.
In the runup to Wednesday's visit, Gibraltar accused Spain of ordering a last-minute improvement to its traffic control system to disguise the delays they had caused. The increased security on the Spanish side came after a dispute with the UK over an artificial underwater reef. Gibraltar's government dropped 74 concrete blocks into the sea in a disputed area of water regularly used by Spanish fishing boats. Gibraltar described the artificial reef as a necessary environmental protection, but the Spanish government saw it as an act of provocation. The dispute simmered all summer, leading to the intervention by the commission.
"This crude attempt at the last minute by the Spanish authorities to disguise and conceal the way in which they normally conduct such searches at the border, in a manner that is likely to mislead the European commission, will be brought to the immediate attention of the EC," said a spokesman for the Gibraltar government. The Spanish government has proposed four-way talks with Britain, Spain, Gibraltar and the neighbouring regional government of Andalusia. Gibraltar would prefer three-way talks including Britain, Spain and its own government.
"Clearly, it would seem that the announcement of the European commission's visit is already producing positive effects, even before the commission inspectors arrive." The commission team consisted of officials from the department of home affairs, customs union and justice as well as the European anti-fraud office (Olaf), investigating allegations from Spain that Gibraltar is a haven for smuggling illegal contraband, particularly cheap cigarettes.
Last month, there were reports of violence at the border as tempers frayed while angry commuters queued to get home. As well as reports of missiles being thrown at the Spanish Guardia Civil officers, two unions organised a protest after it was alleged that an officer was injured when a Gibraltar-registered car failed to stop. Last month, there were reports of violence at the border as tempers frayed while commuters queued to get home. As well as reports of missiles being thrown at the Spanish Guardia Civil officers, two unions organised a protest after it was alleged that an officer was injured when a Gibraltar-registered car failed to stop.
Around 8,000 Spaniards are thought to work in Gibraltar but live in Spain, mostly in the border towns of La Línea and Algeciras. About 8,000 Spaniards are thought to work in Gibraltar but live in Spain, mostly in the border towns of La Línea and Algeciras.
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