MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Eight US congress members table resolution in support of Gibraltar's right to self-determination

“…the views and rights of Gibraltarians should always be imperative in any discussion of Gibraltar’s status as a British Overseas Territory.”

Eight US congress members have tabled a resolution calling for the House of Representatives to formally recognize Gibraltar’s right to self-determination.<br />
The bi-partisan move highlights the wishes of the Gibraltarians and underscores the deep historical links between the Rock and the US, highlighting its strategic position for US military interests.

Resolution 738 acknowledges the fact that Gibraltar’s citizens have “freely and democratically” expressed their desire to remain British in two referenda. It also notes the Rock’s long military links with the US, including its role as the Launchpad for the US-led liberation of North Africa during World War II.

“The security situation in North Africa and the Middle East continues to underscore the need for the United States to maintain secure access to Gibraltar’s military facilities,” the resolution states.

The resolution calls on the House of Representatives to formally state that “…the views and rights of Gibraltarians should always be imperative in any discussion of Gibraltar’s status as a British Overseas Territory.”

It also calls on the US to honor the contribution that Gibraltar has made to advancing US security interests in the Mediterranean region since 1801 and extend its “deepest appreciation and thanks” to the Government of Gibraltar and its citizens.

The resolution was tabled in the House of Representatives last Thursday and subsequently referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. It is highly unlikely that the resolution will move beyond the committee and be debated in the floor of the House of Representatives.

In that respect it is comparable to Early Day Motions in the House of Commons, which rarely gain traction but nonetheless serve to highlight and bring attention to particular issues.

“While it is unlikely that the resolution will be debated in the floor of the House, it nonetheless marks a historic point in the relationship between Gibraltar and the United States of America,” the Gibraltar Government said in a statement.

The resolution is sponsored by George Holding, a Republican Congressman and former US Attorney for North Carolina who now sits on the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees of the House of Representatives. The rest of the seven congress members are from both sides of the political spectrum in Washington.

They include four Democrats - Brian Higgins, Alan Grayson, Mike McIntyre, Patrick Murphy – and Republicans Pete King, Thomas Petri and Frederica Wilson. Some of the co-sponsors also serve on the Foreign Affairs committee, while two of them are also members of the Financial Services committee. Mr King also sits on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

The resolution comes after the Gibraltar Government intensified its lobbying efforts in the US over the past year. The government also retained a US law firm to lobby in Washington on Gibraltar’s behalf.

“The Government is very keen to foster political, cultural and economic ties between Gibraltar and the United States,” Picardo said.