MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Gibraltar joint sovereignty row.

Reaction to the talks on Gibraltar's future (on February 4th) between the United Kingdom and Spain indicates that Britain wants the 27,000 Gibraltarians to accept joint Anglo-Spanish sovereignty in exchange for an end to Spanish sanctions and for help and co-operation from Spain.

Despite Argentina's absorption in its own chronic economic crisis, its diplomats and Government are monitoring every nuance of the Gibraltar negotiations to see how they can be exploited to further their claim to the Falkland Islands which has some similarities as well as distinct differences. The main one is that while Britain and Spain are negotiating over Gibraltar, Britain insists that "Falklands sovereignty is non-negotiable".

Pressure is being intensified on Gibraltar to accept a deal which it considers to be a British betrayal. Its leaders boycotted the talks.

There is little doubt that shared sovereignty is a major concession Britain is considering. But Gibraltar's Chief Minister, Peter Caruana, says: "Gibraltar rejects the very notion that our constitutional relationship with Britain needs to be negotiated with Spain. We want a modernised constitution but not at the price of some degree of Spanish sovereignty or role in Gibraltar".

Agreement to cover "sovereignty"

While the joint Anglo-Spanish communiqué on the talks, couched in careful Foreign Office language, did not spell out joint sovereignty, it gave a strong hint , declaring: "Our common aim remains to conclude a comprehensive agreement before the summer, covering all outstanding issues, including co-operation and sovereignty".

The communiqué continued: "Both Governments confirmed that their shared objective is to overcome their differences over Gibraltar and to ensure a secure future for Gibraltar in which Gibraltar can preserve its way of life and traditions, enjoy greater internal self-government, sustain and enhance its prosperity, and reap the full benefits of a harmonious and mutually beneficial co-operation in all fields together with the wider region". Some of these phrases are familiar to Falkland Islanders in their dealings with the Foreign Office and Argentina.

Sovereignty proposals require Gibraltar's consent

In his report to Parliament on his talks with Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique, the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw declared: "It must be better to try to settle differences through dialogue. I am convinced that the people of Gibraltar have more to gain than to lose from the process.