MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
The Voice of Gibraltar Group
No-one on the Rock can really be surprised that the Spanish Government has decided to take the United Kingdom to the European Court of Justice for implementing UK electoral law in Gibraltar.
So much for the 'excellent' relationship that supposedly exists between London and Madrid, of which the Gibraltarians are regularly reminded. Of course, dialogue should not inhibit anyone, or so the Governor believes and recently stated. Is it not about time to reciprocate on telephones and all the other outstanding issues?
The Spaniards claim that such implementation violates at least four rules on EU elections. Well then, that has been the case on every occasion an election of this nature has taken place in UK. Only now, when Gibraltar has been included, does the Spanish Government raise objections. It must be patently obvious to everybody world-wide that this is a selective and vindictive action against the People of Gibraltar, irrespective what Ramon de Miguel has to say.
Whilst the case may not reach court prior to the elections in June, a subsequent decision, favourable to the plaintiff, will require the UK to change its laws. Will there be uproar in the Houses of Parliament? Perhaps then, HMG will, once and for all, see the Spaniards for what they are.
Should the case go ahead, not only will it be an embarrassment for HMG, over its policy on Gibraltar, the amount of coverage and reaction in the UK will surpass any that the Gibraltarians could muster during the election campaign?
However, one must recall that the EU Commission did not offer an opinion on the original complaint, merely indicating that it was a sensitive matter between two member states. Under the circumstances, there is the danger that HMG will, once again, acquiesce to Spanish whims and conclude a bilateral agreement that satisfies both, but with repercussions for the Rock.
So early into 2004 and the 'quixotes' are honing their lances. The tercentenary celebrations, constitutional proposals, European elections, Governor's comments and now the Anglo-Franco-German alliance, will be enough to stir every 'Cid', 'Torquemada' and 'Franco'. It is going to be a tough year, but the windmills must and will stand firm.
Maybe, by the end of the year, when everything is 'al rojo vivo', Dr. Denis MacShane, who lately reduced the 'period of reflection' from '30' years to '20', can extend it to 300. When will this man, and the many others, come to understand that the Gibraltarians do not want to be revisited by any joint-sovereignty 'done-deals', EVER AGAIN! The sooner HMG rescinds Jack Straw's 12 July 2002 policy statement and annuls the Brussels Process, the better. At least then, everyone will know exactly where they stand and can take their respective consequences accordingly.
The VOGG will hold a protest at The Convent, next Tuesday 24th. from 11 a.m., to coincide with the meeting between Jack Straw and Ana de Palacio.
Jim Watt Gibraltar - http://www.gibnet.com
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