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| Spanish prime minister raises 'anachronism' of Gibraltar at UN | Spanish prime minister raises 'anachronism' of Gibraltar at UN |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Spanish prime minister 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, Mariano 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. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | |
| "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. | "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. |
| "This is the only such territory in Europe, and one that affects our own territorial integrity. | "This is the only such territory in Europe, and one that affects our own territorial integrity. |
| "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." | "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." |
| 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 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. | 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. |
| 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. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 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. |
| About 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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