MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Gibraltar referendum on new Constitution

The Gibraltar Government has issued a public call urging to “vote ?yes' for progress” in the coming Thursday referendum on the new Constitution, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.

"The New Constitution, which has been negotiated and agreed on Gibraltar's behalf on a cross-party basis, represents valuable and important Constitutional progress for Gibraltar," said a statement from the Rock's Government House recalling that on October 31 2006 the House of Assembly unanimously welcomed it.

"Earlier this year at Gibraltar's request, the British Government declared publicly that the referendum would constitute an exercise of the right of self-determination by the people of Gibraltar in terms of Gibraltar's rights under the UN Charter," said a spokesman.

The Government says it believes that this Constitution is good for Gibraltar and argues that:

?It preserves and enshrines our British Sovereignty and leaves us in modern and mature relationship with UK that even the UK declares cannot be considered to be based on colonialism; ?It enshrines our right of self-determination; ?It maximizes our self-government, and thus control of our own destiny and affairs; ?It represents a significant step forward in further guaranteeing the proper independence of our judiciary.

Meanwhile, Government has published a leaflet explaining in detail the new provisions of the Constitution and what they mean in practice.

"If anyone in Gibraltar has any queries about the New Constitution, or wants any clarification of any matter or doubt they should e-mail the Chief Minister, Peter Caruana on calpe@gibtelecom.net . "

"Thursday is a very important day for Gibraltar, perhaps for decades to come. It is important politically, and even economically, since in EU/Tax / Azores Ruling terms, greater powers of self-government makes our right to have our own tax system even clearer," said Chief Minister, Peter Caruana.

UK and Gibraltar last March 27 announced the conclusion of intense negotiations to reform the Overseas Territory Constitution dating back to 1969.

The amended text gives the local government greater involvement in internal affairs and limits the Governor's role.

The referendum takes place following the September tripartite dialogue forum between UK, Spain and Gibraltar, or Cordoba accord, which contemplates among other issues the joint use of Gibraltar's airport which beginning December 16 will have daily flights to Madrid. The agreement puts an end to other air and sea restrictions for Gibraltar and improves telecommunications with the rest of Europe.

Spain lost Gibraltar to Britain in 1704 during the Spanish Succession war (1702-1813), but has never ceased to claim sovereignty over the Rock.