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Spanish ambassador to UK summoned over incident in Gibraltar waters

Friday, July 18th 2014 - 13:22 UTC
Full article 52 comments

The Foreign Office has summoned the Spanish Ambassador to the UK to underline serious concern at the activity of a Spanish Navy vessel in international waters off Gibraltar on Wednesday. Read full article

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  • Justthefacts

    Regrettably, the British govts continuing cowardice in respect of actually doing anything of any substance (military or economic) about these incidents is the primary reason they continue.

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 02:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Vestige

    Like what ?
    What ya gonna do.
    Fk all.
    You'll be outvoted in the EU and outgunned on the Spanish southern coast.
    Spain will do what it wants.
    Spain really should declare a buffer around the seas claimed by gibraltar.

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 03:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Leiard

    @2
    Go for it Vestige, don't let facts cloud your judgement.

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 03:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #2
    Big hard man ! I suppose you will be there leading the Spanish charge.
    Let Spain do what they want and see what happens. There is more than one way to skin a cat.

    We should lay a boom with restricted access to Gib. harbour....if the Spanish navy want to try and cut through...tough titty !

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 03:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Cognitio

    Yeah Vestige...lets see what happens when a bankrupt, militarily inferior third rate country attacks British soil. Oh sorry .....I forgot .....you already know :-)

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 04:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Vestige

    3 - and what facts would they be.

    and before you open it - post 1, and his delusions of grandeur, is the one suggesting the barmy idea of anything military.
    Simply put you'd lose hard.
    Dunkirk would be a rip roaring success in historical comparison.

    People on here confusing GB with the US.

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 04:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    Spain should continue what they have been doing........
    something in worrying Picardo when last week he went to the Spanish Parliament to speak to the Spanish MPs...........
    Just keep applying the current policy on the border as they have been doing....
    The pen is mightier than the sword.....no need for violence.

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 04:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @2. “Outvoted in the EU”? What planet are you on? The EU has NO jurisdiction on territorial matters. Outgunned? Should we compare naval comparability. Just as an initial point, the spanish navy has 54 ships. The Royal Navy has 95. Spain - one amphibious assault ship (also used as an aircraft carrier), two amphibious transport docks, 11 frigates, three submarines, six mine countermeasure vessels, 23 patrol vessels. Royal Navy - an aircraft carrier (though without fixed-wing aircraft until c.2020), an amphibious assault ship, two amphibious transport docks, four ballistic missile submarines (which maintain the UK's nuclear deterrent), six nuclear fleet submarines, six guided missile destroyers, 13 frigates, 15 mine-countermeasure vessels and 22 patrol vessels. Spain is a pipsqueak. It should remember that argieland thought it could take on Britain. And Britain didn't even send its full force! The spanish army boasts 75,000. The British Army can field over 247,000. Spanish air force - 450 aircraft. Royal Air Force - lost count after 650. And southern spain is nicely in range.
    @7. Picardo is a lawyer. He talks first!

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 06:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anbar

    keep on ignoring the spanish as we currently are doing seems to be working fine to me... if they have to break the law to make a point it simply places them alongside other corrupt governments such as CFKs and Blairs.

    All deserve to be in prison, Spains also... corrupt bunch still seeking to distract the masses after all.

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 06:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    I've said it before on here, the UK is keeping it's head down until September 18th and the result of the independence vote, the last thing they want is Spain rolling the red carpet out for an independent Scotland into the EU.
    Once that matter is out of the way, we can cause holy hell for Spain by supporting Catalan independence.
    Or maybe we won't if they stop their behaviour against Gibraltar, their choice!

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 06:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #7
    Spanish sunshine. Do you seriously think in your wildest dreams that the Spanish action will result in the UK handing over Gibraltar to Spain.
    Dream on idiot.

    something in worrying Picardo when last week he went to the Spanish Parliament to speak to the Spanish MPs..........

    Of course there was....having to talk to a bunch of thieving dagos....who wouldn't be ?

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 06:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Vestige

    Addressing conqueror here ... Christ.
    Anyway. Ok genius how are you going to land that admittedly large and technically sophisticated army.

    Undoubtedly Britains military is capable of many huge things - Entering Spain is not one of them however.

    You win on a piece of paper, well done you, you've got a longer list.
    But not on Spainish soil. If you think otherwise you're in cookoo land.

    Pfhail.

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 07:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Nightingale

    just waiters spitting their dummys out..

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 07:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    A low cost solution is to fit a tug with a reinforced bowsprit and ram any Spanish navy vessels which encroach and act aggressively in Gib. waters.
    A tug could push it all the way into the Atlantic. The only way that the Spanish could stop it is by using deadly force and then the balls on the slates....to quote the vernacular.

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 09:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anglotino

    LOL Spain.

    You're funny.

    Jul 18th, 2014 - 10:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    *11 no but the Spaniards are the ONES controling the shots on the border......when you go begging to Spain it is because the lawer is in deep shit..... where was the Royal Navy when the spaniards pulled up the concrete slab and took it back to Spain? ( I would have placed it on the outgoing lane of Gibs coming into Spain)
    *8 Thats good!! hope he keeps talking.......

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 12:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    @16
    Diplomacy works every time, look and learn from a far superior country the UK. We have had the ROCK for many years just like the FALKLANDS and we will not be giving it up. We will wait until Spain has run out of money and then buy it.

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 05:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • imoyaro

    @17
    You don't need to buy it, you just need to wait. After all, you already won it fair and square!

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 08:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    I agree with Britworker: after the Scots have decided what they want it may be another ballgame with Spain.

    We all know what a bunch of cowards Spanish speaking countries are, don't we?

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 11:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    *17 - look and learn from ar superior country the UK-
    Are you a member of the British Nationalist Party? cause you sure sound
    like one!!!. In this world nothing is forever what is black today can be
    white tomorrow....like Hong Kong.

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 11:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @12. Want to second-guess? I'm not in the MoD or the British military. But here's a start. As a start point, 200 Challenger 2 main battle tanks smash through the Gibraltar frontier. The Challenger 2 has NEVER been beaten. In response to requests by Gibraltarians, any Guardia Civil are “squashed”. Following the Challengers come the Warriors. Then the self-propelled artillery.

    Overhead are the Tornados and Typhoons of the Royal Air Force. 219 of them. The spanish put up 132 Typhoons and Hornets. Having checked on the location of US Navy vessels and personnel, the Royal Navy launches 2 nuclear missiles to wipe out Naval Station Rota. By means of an intermediary, the British government informs the spanish government that 12 nuclear missiles are targeted on Madrid. Other missiles are targeted “as appropriate”. Meanwhile, expeditionary armoured forces are landed on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Spearheaded by Apache attack helicopters. There are other RAF and RN attack helicopters. Landing troops and equipment? No problem. Amphibious assault vessels. Four of them. Strategic and tactical transport aircraft (fixed and rotary wing). Refuelling aircraft. Paratroopers. Naval bombardment? Runs at about 25 rounds per minute. You spend too much time listening to idiots who can't distinguish between numbers and capability. Did I mention the fleet submarines capable of launching 30 land attack cruise missiles per boat? What do you think spain is? Some sort of “power”. I reckon Britain could immolate spain in about a month. Notice I said “could” not “would”. Regrettably, Britain would give spain all sorts of chances. I feel sort of sorry for the people of spain. Not much. They voted for these tossers from the PP. Wonder if they ever thought their country could be destroyed? Eventually, even Britain will have had enough. Are you spanish? Here's a tip.Britain doesn't lose!
    @20. A thought. Your name is “Splat!”.

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 01:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    If it wasn't for the EU Britain could send home the many thousands of Spanish working in the UK. That would be a massive blow to their fragile economy and would certainly take their minds off Gibraltar.

    The UK will never give up the Rock. It is intrinsically linked to national identity and British Naval History.

    And of course no country would ever willing give such a strategic site.

    Tough Luck Spain. You haven't a chance!

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 01:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    They also said that the Odessey´s treasure could not be recovered by Spain...but.....Spain GOT IT BACK....

    YEAH!! Send back the Spaniards and Spain will sent you the thousands of pensioners who live in spain..see what that does to your NHS.....

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 02:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    It would make no difference as the pensioners already fly home to use the NHS. As they are perfectly entitled to.
    They contributed their whole lives and don't trust Spanish health care anyway.
    You haven't got a clue about 90% of which you opine FakeAussie.

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 03:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Don Alberto

    Poor idiot aussiesunshinee from Argentina quite clearly doesn't understand the British pensioner economy in Spain.

    Exit of immigrants sees Spain’s population fall for second year in a row. A total of 547,890 people left the country in 2013, of whom only 79,306 were Spaniards.

    Spain's educated youth leave and British and other northern european expats and pensioners go home, their place is being taken by poor illegal immigrants from Africa and Asia.

    The British go home but don't leave their money, creating huge financial problems in the Spanish communities, they previously kept financially alive. Already one in three children in Spain lives in poverty, according to Save the Children, as bad as in Argentina.

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 05:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Spanish ambassador to UK summoned over incident in Gibraltar waters
    for the 23,765th time,
    and the Spanish, wink and say, see ya next time brits. .ha ha ha .
    next..

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 06:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Cognitio

    AussieSunshine within 3 years the UK will have the 2nd largest economy in the EU. 3 years from now Spain will still be living off EU handouts. It's bad politics to bite the hand that feeds you.
    The chances are the UK will leave EU in 2017. If that happens everything is up for negotiation including border control. Since these are negotiated at a EU level we'd ensure that Gibraltar is properly looked after. If the Spanish complain then their German overlords will stamp on them because Berlin wouldn't want its access to the UK market endangered by Madrids silly little obsession. Besides I guess the Spanish like fishing in British waters to much to want to seriously piss us off. Once we're out of the EU Spain wont have anywhere to hide.

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 08:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    negotiating level!! what negotiation level will The UK have if it leaves the EU??
    The only thing The UK will want is to be part of the EEC which you will still have to abide by EU regulations and pay into the system.....yes!!...you will have to be pumping money into the EU!!. The Financial City of London would collapse and Frankfurt will take over....Foreign companies would leave UK to The EU....just likw France said lately that they are already rolling out the red carpet for British investment....The UK would have no say in the EU parliament....can you imagine that??!!and health coverage abroad would stop unless you have private insurance.....ummmmmm

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 11:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    @28
    You really don't have clue. and I can't be bother to reply to all your ridiculous statements.
    Just a few though.

    All British citizens are entitled to 'free at the point of entry' healthcare from the NHS, no matter where they live in the world, as long as they return to the UK to receive such healthcare.

    France inviting British investment? yes because they are skint. No companies are going to France because of the stupid socialist tax levels.
    London is firmly established as THE global capital of finance, Frankfurt is no threat. Even the Germans speak English, (very well too!), when trading. The big financiers like a base in London not somewhere random in Germany.

    i am now quite bored of proving you an idiot, you obviously don't need my help on that matter.
    Bye!

    Jul 19th, 2014 - 11:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    *29 If they can return to Britain!! If not they must pay up in cash up front!!
    simple economics. France was just one example from the 26 in the EU. Foreign investors can take their pick.... London is firmly established NOW that The UK is in the EU....if EU leaves...I do not think so...again simple economics.
    as for the Germans speaking English.........NEIN. DAS DEUTSCHE VOLK GEFFÁLT, ENGLISCH ZU SPRECHEN...NIE
    TSCHÜSS

    Jul 20th, 2014 - 01:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    @30 you really are a first class idiot. Nothing you say makes any sense. I won't engage with you any further. Good Luck out there in Dumb Dumb Land.
    -------------
    For others;
    It has become increasingly obvious that ‘Aussiesunshinee' is no more than a stupid troll in a similar vein as Mendo-idiot/Keith Pork and others, and is probably the same poster.
    This person has nothing of value to contribute. This idiot betrays the worst form of ignorance, the refusal to even try to understand another point of view, or to accept that others may have a higher knowledge of a given subject. Other than that, ASS, just tries to goad genuine posters.

    This fool should be ignored or told to F off.

    Looking forward to some good debates/knowledge sharing in the future,
    Kind regards,
    ilsen

    Jul 20th, 2014 - 04:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Cognitio

    AussieSunshine...your kind of a pint half empty kind of guy aren't you? The point your missing is that the British economy is big enough and globalised enough to be able to survive the bump of a BREXIT. I'm not saying that it wont be painful in the short term but in the medium term most projections see the British economy recovering and improving because it would be more competitive than the neighboring EU economies. We'd also gain the ability to enter into favourable bilateral trade agreements with other friendly countries such as the US or Australia, New Zealand and Canada. This should reduce prices significantly at home. We'd also regain all the subscription money we pay into the EU treasury which is currently being paid into expensive infrastructure schemes into such places as Andalucia. Maybe we could spend that instead in the UK or who knows maybe it could fund a tax cut or 2. Either way only a good thing for us.

    Remember Britain is a NET contributor into the EU. Remind me is Spain the same? What word would best describe Spain for the EU would it be asset or would it be liability?

    It's also not in anyones interest whether the UK or EU for the divorce to be too painful (remember the UK being the 2nd largest economy). In such a case it would be Berlin who would drive the negotiation and not Madrid. Do you really think Merkel is going to defend Spanish interests at the cost of Germanys? Do you think anyone in the EU gives a Rat's Arse about Spain's position on Gibraltar? Spain will be told to shut the f*** up and get back in the corner.

    Jul 20th, 2014 - 09:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    *32 The future will tell!! but I can bet that the UK will not leave the EU!!! Merkel is already defending Spain´s interest:
    www.brecorder.com/top-news/1-front-top-news/184554/merkel-backs-madrids-bid-to-block-catalan-referendum.
    Britain´s power to negotiate has all but diminished as seen in the
    recent defeat of Cameron in trying to block Juncker from the EU
    presidency. 27 against 1.

    Jul 20th, 2014 - 10:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #33
    I gave you the benefit of the doubt and tried the ref. you quoted but could find nothing about your post.

    “Pakistans premier financial daily” You certainly trawl the internet don't you. I would have thought that a German source would have been more reliable OR at least first-hand.

    Jul 20th, 2014 - 12:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    *34 Try again and go to the SEARCH of that page and TYPE (merkel and Catalonia) and you will see it.......The headline on this page (Brecoder) is constantly changing.......(Brecoder is a nice business newspaper)

    Jul 20th, 2014 - 01:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brit Bob

    Spanish Sunshine. Spain no longer has a legal claim to Gibraltar under the law of 'extinctive prescription' which means that its failure to take an already weak case to the PCIJ /ICJ has meant that by acquiescence, Spain has handed over sovereignty to the UK. The 'return clause' in the Treaty of Utrecht is now also void because according to treaty law, anything that contravenes human rights is no longer applicable just like the no Jews nor Moors clauses. Lol

    Jul 20th, 2014 - 01:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    What Spain should do is offer a 10 year cocktail free flow to any British citizen visiting Bib.Watch how quickly they would get British public opinion on their side.....ummmmmm

    Jul 20th, 2014 - 02:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #35
    Can't be bothered. Only Tittle tattle.

    Jul 20th, 2014 - 04:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Cognitio

    37. Your absolutely right the UK has no history at all of successfully protecting British territories from greedy Latin speaking countries...accept for the fact it has.

    Hmmm....perhaps there's a slight problem in your wishful thinking Mr Sunshine. You are so up your own arse that you only see what you want to see in the British. You feverishly make notes of any signs of weakness and then publish it to the world.

    Yet here we are still. Still owning Gibraltar and the Falklands with the fastest growing economy in Europe 2 weeks after the launching of HMS Queen Elizabeth. We're getting stronger Mr Sunshine, we're getting stronger economically and we're getting stronger militarily. This all feeds into political power and trust me with Philip Hammond as Foreign Secretary the EU had better make some major concessions or we will be out of the door.

    I'm not a Conservative support but my impression of Hammond from his time at the MOD is that he is a very, very effective minister and will bite hard to get this country what it needs. He will not play nicely and concede powers just to keep the Eurocrats happy. The Foreign Office staff are going to hate him....Brilliant!

    Jul 20th, 2014 - 06:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    *39 oh dear!! you sound so excited for this Hammond!! control yourself!! biting man this Hammond.is he? well make sure he doesn´t bite your arse!!??

    Jul 21st, 2014 - 01:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • JimHandley

    For: 21 Conqueror.

    re: “… the Royal Navy launches 2 nuclear missiles to wipe out Naval Station Rota. By means of an intermediary, the British government informs the spanish government that 12 nuclear missiles are targeted on Madrid.”

    Are you completely out of your tiny mind, Man?

    Do you REALLY believe that the US (which holds the key to our firing of our nuclear missiles, anyway) the Russians and the Chinese would stand idly by, waiting for an addle-headed little Britain to provoke an irredeemable Armageddon?

    For goodness sake, GET REAL. Lad.

    The UK is now just a pathetic, third-rate international player –and even the US ain’t too far behind in finding itself in similarly desperate straits.

    Thanks largely to our treacherous political leaders, all we now have left are our native ingenuity and innate bollocks –lack of both of which is amply evidenced by your singularly “peculiar”, possibly unhinged, pronouncements!

    Jim, in Madrid.

    Jul 21st, 2014 - 01:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    looks like he didn´t take his medicine this week :(

    Jul 21st, 2014 - 01:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #41
    The man is unhinged. Looking at the ridiculous scenario, it is full of so many holes it resembles a Swiss cheese. For an example 200 tanks in Gib. followed by Warrior APC's. Gib. does not have the space to park this amount of vehicles.
    219 Typhoons and Tornados. It would be a mighty logistical feat to get these all in the air at once. Where are they going to refuel or land ?
    Look at a map. There is a large country called France between the UK and Spain. No overflying would be permitted, so you are having to go round the Bay of Biscay. We have 9 tankers, so that would mean some of our planes would not be coming back. Don't you need some of our defences to be in the Falklands to deter the dastardly Argies.?
    As for nukes, all we make are the warheads - the missiles are all American manufactured and they would cut of any supply damned quick.
    Think out your strategy before you touch a keyboard.

    Jul 21st, 2014 - 07:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • olisipo

    @41 and @43 Yes, he is completely out of his mind. It is a well known fact around here. Poor megalomaniac.

    Jul 21st, 2014 - 10:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    but I can bet that the UK will not leave the EU!!! @33

    well we thinks the UK will leave the EU, it is now inevitable as the euro commission stopped an elected prime minister from demanding a free vote, thus proving beyond doubt that we have NO power in Europe , no vote , or say,

    the commission can now override all vetoes.

    so the point being, that the UK WILL have more power/negotiating and others, outside rather than inside.
    just a thought.

    Jul 21st, 2014 - 01:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brit Bob

    The fact is, Gibraltar has and is entitled to its own territorial waters. The Gulf of Maine ICJ judgment confirmed that States cannot unilaterally delimit territorial waters. The Black Sea ICJ judgment confirmed that statements made on signing or ratifying UNCLOS have no bearing on how UNCLOS rules are applied to others. The PCA Suriname Guyana judgment confirmed that the 'median line' in any bay takes priority over any considerations of 'historic title.' And one should also remember the Canada - France case where Canada argued that because of proximity, St Pierre & Miquelon were not entitled to have an Exclusive Economic Zone. The tribunal riled in France's favour and awarded a limited 200 mile EEZ. Little wonder that Margallo is 'not confident in winning a case concerning Gibraltar's waters.'

    Jul 22nd, 2014 - 08:27 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • olisipo

    Spain hits back in diplomatic spat:

    http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=34295

    Jul 22nd, 2014 - 09:02 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • JimHandley

    IS THE CURRENT HOSTILITY TOWARD GIBRALTAR DRIVEN BY A HIDDEN ‘NATIONALISTIC’ AGENDA DICTATED BY THE SPANISH MILITARY OFFICERS WHO COMMAND THE GUARDIA CIVIL POLICE AND WHO ARE NOT PROPERLY POLITICALLY SUPERVISED BY SPAIN’S, COWARDLY CORRUPTION RIDDEN, BANKER CONTROLLED CENTRAL GOVERNMENT?

    This is a purely personal opinion, which may of course be at least partially erroneous. But from I see happening, I reckon that there’s a fair chance I’m not far-off the ol’ philosophical bull’s-eye, as Aristotle was wont to muse when ‘in his cups’…

    Anyhow, here are a few observations which may or may not, help one gain a better understanding of what’s REALLY going on between Madrid and Gibraltar:

    Spain has an unenviable, centuries’-long, history of military ‘pronouncements’ and interventions in its public affairs. So much so, that even her present politicians are always ‘looking over their shoulders’ and planning policies palatable to the country’s military hierarchy. Even worse, many of today’s working and middle-class Spaniards THINK they remember a better life under General Franco’s ‘Regime’. And it’s certainly TRUE that the fascist dictatorships’ later decades delivered little unemployment, constantly rising prosperity, publicly–funded healthcare and primary, secondary and even university education. The crime rate was low, drug use was virtually unknown, there was almost no coloured immigration, et cetera…

    Federico Trillo-Figueroa, born in 1953 and now Spain’s ambassador to London, spent his formative years during the Franco regime’s economic boom times –some twenty consecutive years’ or so, during which the Spaniards regained their self-confidence, after many dismal, long years’ of Civil War-induce feelings of self-doubt and inferiority.

    Incidentally, the said Spanish envoy is himself allegedly implicated in the current Madrid Government’s corruption scandals. Please see here:

    http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/europe/article3818881.ece

    Jul 22nd, 2014 - 02:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • olisipo

    @48 This lesson about corruption, etc., coming from the citizen of a country where the key institutions are infiltrated by criminals is.... well, rather rich.

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-corruption-of-uks-key-institutions-infiltrated-by-criminals-9052617.html

    Jul 22nd, 2014 - 07:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • JimHandley

    PART 2.

    IS THE CURRENT HOSTILITY TOWARD GIBRALTAR DRIVEN BY A HIDDEN ‘NATIONALISTIC’ AGENDA….

    Finally, please note that the protagonist of failed coup d'état –also known as the 'Tejerazo'– against Spanish democracy on the 23rd February 1981 (not ALL that long ago) was one Don Antonio Tejero Molina, a Lieutenant Colonel of the GUARDIA CIVIL.

    The Guardia Civil (paramilitary police force) is an extraordinary, three-legged beast, which traditionally, has used its ultimate, Gestapo-like powers to protect the State (Establishment). Members of the GC’s rank and file were mostly recruited from well built, ill educated members of the peasantry. Guardia Civil officers were seconded from conventional Army Regiments (Artillery, Infantry, et cetera) As children, these officers had been ‘secularly’ educated by nuns and monks of a pseudo-fascist Roman Catholic Church elite, which had always rigorously emphasized Spain’s glorious imperial past. Of course, times change and the Guardia Civil now has at least one rather ineffectual trades’ union. Nevertheless, old attitudes die hard and most of the GC’s senior, MILITARY officers will be of similar age as that of Spain’s Ambassador to the Court of St James, Señor Don Trillo-Figueroa. That’s to say, NEAR RETIREMENT, NOSTALGIC and probably fearfully obsessed by Catalonia’s possible seceding from Spain –for them an odiously traitorous act which would indubitably be followed by the independence of several other important Spanish autonomous regions– leaving the military hierarchy’s ‘beloved Fatherland’ as a risible rump, both economically and politically!

    Mix all this up and next time the phrase GUARDIA CIVIL PATROL BOAT or SPANISH NAVAL VESSEL comes up, remember my words ‘cos a thankfully, now rapidly ageing military elite STILL actively aids the Bankers to pull the strings of Spain’s puny political puppets!

    Jim, in Madrid.

    Jul 22nd, 2014 - 10:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #50
    Thanks for that one. It explains the attitude coming from Spain. From the few Spaniards I have met recently, Gibraltar does not seem to loom large as a priority. Youth unemployment is the big issue.

    Jul 23rd, 2014 - 08:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • JimHandley

    For: 49 olisipo.

    Re: “@48 This lesson about corruption, etc., coming from the citizen of a country where the key institutions are infiltrated by criminals is.... well, rather rich.

    www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-corruption-of-uks-key-institutions-infiltrated-by-criminals-9052617.html”

    I assure you that my TWO PART message about the Guardia Civil’s incursions into Gibraltar’s territorial waters, et cetera, was NOT meant as a lesson in morality nor intended to censure the international actions of any particular nation whatsoever. Quite to the contrary and in retrospect, I suppose that –when I wrote the said message– I was simply thinking aloud.

    I haven’t yet had time to completely read the Independent’s article to which you so kindly sent me the Link. However, from HAVE read, I can only say that –although I’m ashamed– I’m not in the least surprised.

    For, as I’m tired of reiterating on these pages…

    Not even our misnamed Western Democracies are governed by our elected representatives. Rather, Big Banking and its politico-industrial hirelings rule the entire Globe. And these people have huge sums of money. And the seductive scent of such plentiful supplies of cash always has and always will, irresistibly attract big-time crooks –like vultures circling a wounded Elephant (aka, the Establishment).

    Cheers!

    Jim, in Madrid.

    Jul 23rd, 2014 - 10:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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