MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Gibraltar government referendum next November 7th

Chief Minister Peter Caruana announced November 7th as the date of the forthcoming Gibraltar Government organised referendum.

Speaking Tuesday evening to Gibraltar's main publication, the Chronicle, Mr Caruana said that he will be advocating the retention of exclusive British sovereignty and campaigning for a "no" vote in the referendum.

"This referendum will give us a further democratic opportunity to express our view on the principle of joint or shared sovereignty. The Government believes that the sovereignty of Gibraltar should not be negotiated against our wishes and that the British Government should not enter into political agreements with Spain on sovereignty without our consent. Quite apart from the Spanish dimension, joint sovereignty is in itself a thoroughly misconceived, unworkable and dangerous concept with no successful application anywhere. It condemns Gibraltar to a neo-colonial status forever. The Government will campaign for a "no" vote", stressed Mr. Caruana.

The decision of holding a Gibraltar sponsored on the sovereignty issue was announced last 25th July 2002, and was in response to British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw statement on 12th July in the House of Commons that the UK and Spain were in broad agreement on many of the principles that should underpin a lasting settlement of Spain's sovereignty claim over Gibraltar and that these included "the principle that Britain and Spain should share sovereignty over Gibraltar."

"Following a lengthy and wide process of consultation the Government has now made decisions on a number of key issues relating to the Referendum. The consultation process has included all political parties, all social, trade union and business representative organisations, and the Government External Affairs Advisory Council, comprising past politicians from across the local political spectrum."

Eligible to vote

The question put to the November 7th. Referendum will be limited to the single issue of joint or shared sovereignty. The exact wording will be announced in due course. Who will be eligible to vote: The following categories of persons will be eligible to vote at the Referendum: Resident Registered Gibraltarians; (1) Resident British Overseas Territories Citizens by virtue of a connection with Gibraltar; (2) Other British Nationals who have been ordinarily resident in Gibraltar for at least 10 years.

"These categories include people who are ordinarily resident but who are temporarily absent, e.g. students, medical patients etc. Postal voting arrangements will be available. A voting list is being drawn up. This will be published shortly in draft to give people who are entitled to be on it but are not included in the draft to register. A series of administrative statements and notices will issue soon to guide the general public on these and other administrative issues relating to the Referendum."

"This year's National Day celebrations (September 10th. ) gives us convenient and timely opportunity to continue our campaign to signify our rejection of the principle of joint sovereignty and of our desire to retain exclusive British Sovereignty. To demonstrate this Government calls upon people to participate massively this year sporting both the Gibraltar Colours and the Union Jack to demonstrate our sentiment to the world press, which are expected to be present this year in larger numbers.

Tories reaction

Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram said in London: "While this cannot be a formal constitutional referendum it will be a vital test of the strength of public opinion in Gibraltar on the direction in which the British Government has been seeking to take the current talks.

"I believe they will massively reject the current dishonourable proposition to share sovereignty and hope that after that rejection Jack Straw will finally accept that the current negotiations on sovereignty should be ended."