MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Foreign Office protests to Spain chase and shooting incident in Gibraltar waters
British Minister for Europe David Lidington strongly protested on Tuesday to Spanish Minister, Íñigo Mendez de Vigo, following an incident in British Gibraltar territorial waters, when allegedly shots were fired. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesJust reading about this from other sites,
Jun 25th, 2013 - 06:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0interesting to note, the british again warn,,
how many time are we going to warn them, before someone dies,
how many warnings does it take to spain to get them to listen,
sooner or later the goverment will have to send the royal navy , and fxck the trade,
after all, how long will it be before spain says, hang on matey we have been going in and out of our waters for over a decade and you did nothing..
????????sometimes diplomacy fails, and the stick must be used..
armed incursion into a peaceful territory of another....not the cleverest of people are they.
Jun 25th, 2013 - 06:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0This will get messy, ultimately Spain will get a boot up the arse one way or the other. A type 23 Frigate is inbound as we speak
Jun 25th, 2013 - 06:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If Spanish governments feel free to enter Gibraltar waters, can't the Gibraltar and UK governments go into Spanish waters freely. Send a few frigates over into their waters and see if they start whining about that.
Jun 25th, 2013 - 07:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And then if the Spanish government protests, the Gibraltar govt. can tell them to screw off. It is only the same little game they are playing.
@2 Pirate Love: “armed incursion into a peaceful territory of another....NOT THE CLEVEREST of people are they.”
Jun 25th, 2013 - 07:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It would seem they are. The UK government is too soft to allow the military forces on the rock to deal with these hypocritical thugs, and they know it.
This could (and should) have been nipped in the bud ages ago. The problem is that the EU has protected the area and given Spain the responsibility of policing that protection: they prohibit land reclaimation by Gibraltar, but not only allow illegal fishing by the Spanish, they actually support it.
Unless the British armed forces begin to take direct action, an innocent bystander will end up dead.
The UK also needs to start (at least) giving notice that direct measures against tourism will be taken unless the Spanish government stops playing, and tell Germany that NO fines resulting from this will be paid: if Germany can't bring his bitch into line, then they can pick up the tab.
Which of the 23's is inbound Slattzzz?
Jun 25th, 2013 - 08:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The problem is whilst the RN has an asset parked their the cowards won't come out to play but as soon as they leave they come back. I'd like them to position a 23 in striking distance but out of the visual horizon and the next time they turn up strike with ribs full of marines and the helicopter both of which can move very quickly into a offensive role and then use zero tolerance and anyone there engaged in this cowardly behavior gets arrested, sunk or worse if they resist.
That would very quickly put an end to this.
Not sure mate but Illustrious and consorts are about to deploy south, anyway the point is we've taken this shit for to long put a Frigate or Destroyer there and if they try it again board them, have the Helo light them up, give them a surprise visit by sea boat, whilst they are in Gib waters, and then arrest the twats and order them alongside in Gib, till Spain answer the question why they there in the first place, if they don't they stay alongside in Gib end off
Jun 25th, 2013 - 08:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Firing upon Jet Skiis ??
Jun 25th, 2013 - 08:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Whose Jet Ski's ? Why???
We're they British or were they Spanish chased in from Spanish waters??
Unarmed recreational boaters fired upon??
Are they crazy????
@8 Troy Tempest: Crazy or macho...your choice.
Jun 25th, 2013 - 09:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I am usually quite pre-EU, but they are setting this up to end in tears.
The UK and Gibraltar need to reset the territorial waters to the maximum (from the 3 miles they have always observed and the zero miles that Spain recognises) and enforce it.
Then within the UK, there needs to be an active media campaign to deter people from going to Spain, alongside feelers to areas for Spain to break away.
Killing the euro via Spain might harm the UK, but this mad dog needs putting down.
this is just the usual half-arsed bluster from our Spanish comrades as they haven't the mental capacity or will for a meaningful co-operation or as a viable threat,
Jun 25th, 2013 - 10:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0it is what it is!
a not so clever people poking a tiger in a cage..........and one day.....
Is it not possible to build a sea wall separating the Spanish water from the British side,
Jun 25th, 2013 - 10:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Or a harbour wall or some kind of divider..
Just a thought..
.
This matter will be very easily solved by foreign office issuing restrictions on travel to Spain, they would shit themselves, they would be utterly fucked without British tourism.
Jun 25th, 2013 - 10:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Also, are their actions not in breach of their NATO agreements, I'm sure hostile acts against a fellow NATO member aren't allowed.
@11 Briton: “Or a harbour wall or some kind of divider..”
Jun 25th, 2013 - 11:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As I have said the not so stupid Spanish have had the area declared an EU protected zone.
It the UK does pull out of the EU, that might be a very good idea though.
I recently visited Palencia in Castilla León, Spain where they have a quite splendid cathedral, the second largest in Spain after that of Sevilla. The lady in charge of admittance to the cathedral asked me where I was from and when I told her she immediately harangued me about Gibraltar. When I reminded her that a Spanish monarch had agreed, through the Treaty of Utrecht, that Gibraltar should be ceded to Britain in perpetuity she claimed that this was done by an inept king and that the Treaty of Utrecht was, therefore, invalid.
Jun 26th, 2013 - 09:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0It seems that Spain is learning to change history a la Argentina!
It must be a Latin thing, when I say that I do not mean all Latins, only complying with treaties when it suits you! Take the HR Act, in essence, nothing more than a EU treaty.
Jun 26th, 2013 - 01:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0This country is inhabited by some foreign people who came here for a place safety and who openly conspire with and encourage others to carry out acts of violence, which leads to loss of life. Constrained by the Act we can not deport them. We do not like it, but we honour the Act, like it or not! And it is most deffinately not!
What we need here in Gib, is a couple of fast patrol vessels to patrol the area and respond to such incidents. We of course do not have them, the Americans do, perhaps we should approach them to lease a couple from them. There would be no shortage of RN officers and ratings volunteering to operate them.
I have a suggestion for a names, how about HMS Queen Bess and HMS El Draque!
@14 LOL. That reminds me of a debate I had with an Argentine friend over The Falklands. As I shot down every argument and furnished the irrefutable facts, my friend was flummoxed and finally resorted to 'But the English tricked us because we were a new country and didn't know what we were doing'. I did laugh.
Jun 26th, 2013 - 03:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0eBay.
Jun 26th, 2013 - 04:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Someone should advise them to try living in the present and not in the past.
DRAMATIC NEW FOOTAGE OF GUARDIA CIVIL SHOOTING INCIDENT
Jun 26th, 2013 - 05:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0[][=But the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Madrid “emphatically” denied the incident and expressed anger that the UK was reacting to “unconfirmed rumours”.
But here is the proof..
It was filmed by a Gibraltar resident who had a clear view of the area of sea between the North Mole and the runway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYH6KIe1ET0
==13- thank you..
The Spanish are using Gibraltar like TMBOA is using the Falklands but we are supposed to be friends with the Spanish.
Jun 26th, 2013 - 05:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Anybody who mistrears me is no longer a friend and never will be again.
As the Spanish clearly think thay WILL get away with it perhaps “Dave” can show us he has some balls and let the RN have a free hand to deal with the matter.
I am not hopeful though.
Im surprised the Spanish have not demanded royal navy ships be banned inside protected Spanish waters of Gibraltar,
Jun 26th, 2013 - 06:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Now would Dave the brave, tell them to back it up,
or withdraw the ships whilst we talk abt it,
answers on a post card pleaser ..lol.
@16
Jun 26th, 2013 - 07:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Checker again, that post should have been your initials.
@19 ChrisR
Jun 26th, 2013 - 07:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@20 Briton
While the Spanish government plays at funny buggers over Gibraltar, 'Dave' goes on holiday to Ibiza...
'Dave' is an arse.
He likes to think he is another Maggie, news for him, she would not have put up with this shit! He needs to get a grip!
Jun 26th, 2013 - 07:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 023 reality check
Jun 26th, 2013 - 09:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I vehemently disagree with your statement!
Somebody needs to get a grip on Daves throat and throttle the useless bastard.
LOLs
@7 Sorry, slattzzz, I don't agree. Unless a frigate or a destroyer is already “at sea”, it would be too slow. Two options. The warship is either tied up alongside or it is at anchor. In either case, and assuming all the crew is aboard, how long to cast off and get up to speed or, alternatively, raise the anchor and get up to speed. And how is a sea boat supposed to overcome an armed Spanish state vessel? Or do you reckon the frigate/destroyer should open fire? For my money, the answer is a squadron of Apache attack helicopters on the Rock. They are designed to kill tanks. What could they do to a Spanish vessel? Bet they'd be capable against anything from a jet ski up to a destroyer.
Jun 27th, 2013 - 01:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@11 The Bay of Gibraltar is quite deep!
@15 HMS Sabre and Scimitar are capable of 30 knots. How fast do you want?
@20, 22, 23, 24. This is not the place to voice your dissatisfaction with the British Prime Minister. Neither is this the place to demand that the British government take action. Considering Gibraltar's status and these attacks, is it time for Gibraltar to consider forming a navy? Equipped with suitable “assets”. Armed and armoured hovercraft, for example. The US Navy has LCACs that could be reconfigured as seagoing “tanks”. “Normal” speed is 40+ knots. Could be sited around Gibraltar on beaches etc. Ready for immediate deployment. Come on, Gibraltar. The RGP is a civilian organisation. You need a military one. You have the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. What's wrong with the Royal Gibraltar Navy? Bet that many Gibraltarians, even part-time, would welcome the opportunity to hit back at Spain. Just imagine an RGN hovercraft heading out to intercept a fishing boat, a jet ski, a Guardia Civil launch or patrol vessel. Shooting back, for a change. I admit that the RN should do more. But the Gibraltar Squadron is headed by a lieutenant. What “influence” does he have? Get up and FIGHT for your rights. All nations have to do it.
I kinda agree with Conq. here.
Jun 27th, 2013 - 03:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Small, rapid deployment fast vessels or helicopters could realistically intercept individual Spanish craft before they get away.
A deterrent to individual 'enemy' skippers.
@25 Conqueror
Jun 27th, 2013 - 04:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Trying to emulate the argies in that we should not criticise or make plain our 'dissatisfaction' as you so kindly put it with our 'Dave'.
You DO know he wanted to be one of us don't you?
The difference is that 'us' had to make our way through life and suffer at the hands of our useless politicians.
But as an ex-policeman you will have an inflation linked pension, won't you? And I am still paying taxes in the UK and therefore helping to pay your pension.
GET REAL.
Gibralter can have the equipment and fire power sited on shore to deal with any spannish incursion,
Jun 27th, 2013 - 07:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0with over 300.000 gibralter is not poor, and can//or should have the ability to defend itself,
we can help / defend as required if it gets out of hand,
is this a possibility..??
@28 Briton: “is this a possibility..??”
Jun 28th, 2013 - 12:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0No it is not. If Spain had the will to invade Gibraltar, it could take the Rock quite quickly.
But then their economy would implode and it would only be a matter of time before they could not pay their military.
@26 Troy Tempest: “Small, rapid deployment fast vessels or helicopters could realistically intercept individual Spanish craft before they get away.”
Getting away may have been something Spain worried about 12 months ago, but the UK's soft attitude has made Spain a lot more cocky (as with any bully).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18232670
@27 Sorrry, I understood you to be in Uruguay. So what difference does it make to you? Besides, how long would it take YOU to put right 13 years of Labour misgovernment? Especially with a tosser like Clegg pulling the other way or undermining things. Cameron has had 3 years. There are things he does and says that I don't agree with BUT at least I can recognise that we, the people, don't have all the information. Nor should we have! Be a bit like telling the enemy all your plans. Or do you have some method by which UK citizens could be told everything without the French, the Germans, the Italians, the Spanish finding out?
Jun 28th, 2013 - 01:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And I'm not an ex-policeman. See how you make assumptions! And I am also paying tax in the UK. So I'm helping to pay for my own pension, thanks. Also, I have something called a “memory”. That means that I can remember how perfectly proper pay increases were always reduced. But there were assurances that the money woulod be forthcoming at retirement as “deferred pay”. Except it isn't. So don't whinge to me. I remember, when I first went to full-time work, how acquaintances were getting £20 a week and could afford cars. I was getting around £3 15 shillings. But it was all supposed to come right “in the end”. Except that it didn't. You want to stop and ask yourself a simple question. When the government of the day wants to save money, where does it start the savings? With the people over whose pay it has direct control!
@28 Have you thought this through? What do you envisage? Some nice big guns? And when the Spanish state vessel dodges behind something else? A cruise liner perhaps? And it IS out of hand. I think it's around 178 incursions by Spanish state vessels so far THIS YEAR. That's one a day, every day.
@30 Conqueror
Jun 28th, 2013 - 05:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0OK, you weren’t a copper but you were taking the government pay cheque in some other manner.
Yes, I am in Uruguay and although Pepe is an old commie he has at least lived a life of his own unlike “Dave”, ‘hug a hoodie Camoron’, whom never has been responsible for himself.
This prat and his best school / uni buddy Osborn are setting the tax levels: that is what it has to do with me. When they raise taxes I have to pay more even though I live in Uruguay.
I started work at £4.15s 6d per week in a Pilkington glass plant and through hard and intelligent work got to where I am today DESPITE the cunt Brown and latterly the coalition taking at least 50% from my net wealth set aside for my retirement for their ‘inclusive’ policies of paying for half of Europe either directly or by having the immigrants which destroy the basic jobs that were available to undergraduates, women and people who never made the effort and thought there would always be a job in the UK for them.
And the reason you are at the mercy of this moronic duo is that you thought working for the government would be safe AND IT WOULD WORK OUT IN THE END.
Fortunately I have more than half-a-brain and realised that politicians only look after politicians very early on in my working career: it seems from what you say you missed that one.
29 screenname
Jun 28th, 2013 - 05:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Thanks for that…
30 Conqueror
Thanks
So it thus seems that when this silly diplomacy ends, and surely it must sooner or later,
The British government must then back this up with force.
We all know Spain will implode, but this never seems to worry or bother nationalist governments,
But perhaps they are hoping the EU will back them up and keep the British on a leash,
We really need to get tougher, they are making us look foolish..
.
@32 Briton: “perhaps they are hoping the EU will back them up... ”
Jun 28th, 2013 - 10:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The EU is backing them up, that is the problem. This latest tiff started because there are land pressures on Gibraltar which they tried to alleviate through land reclamation. Spain responded to this by getting the EU to make the area along that part of the Iberian coast around Gibraltar a protected zone. This had the knock-on effect that the restricted Spanish fishermen in those waters, and while it is reported that they stick within the limits within Spanish waters they do not do so in Gibraltar waters. When the authorities in Gibraltar tried to enforce EU law the Spanish civil guards have stepped in to actually defend overfishing against a law Spain had introduced – the hypocrisy is astonishing.
Quite how one nation can get restrictions put on land that is not its sovereign territory defies any sense that I can see in the EU, but British attempts to have these restrictions lifted have proved futile.
This has been going on for quite a while now, and the idea that the Prime Minister of the UK would choose to go on holiday to a Spanish resort while this is happening beggars belief… I will say it again (because the UK is a free country): David Cameron is an arse.
@31 Just briefly. When I started my professional life, it was in a profession that was respected. Indeed my father had been in it since he returned from war service. Not my fault that the whingers and whiners had such an effect. But at least I can look back and remember that by clambering up oil tanks in pitch darkness, as well as the sides of ships, standing out in sub-zero temperatures in the rain and spray, pawing through the contents of naughty people's intestines, I helped protect my country.
Jun 29th, 2013 - 12:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@33 I wasn't aware that the reclamation had anything other than the most tenuous connection with the fishing dispute. They are both attempts to get British Gibraltar Territorial Waters “accepted” as Spanish, even though that contention has no legal validity. Spain makes the utterly ludicrous claim that Gibraltar has no territorial waters because they weren't mentioned in the Treaty of Utrecht. Well, the Treaty doesn't mention Spanish territorial waters either! The reason being that a legal definition of “territorial waters” wasn't internationally accepted until 1964. When EVERY maritime state got territorial waters. It's why Spain refuses to go to the ICJ. It knows it would lose. Pity the UK doesn't launch a resolution at the UN demanding that Spain recognise, amongst other things, UNCLOS. But then Spain is much like argieland, so it would ignore such a resolution. Incidentally, the basic law is Gibraltar's 1991 Nature Protection Act. And the unfortunate action of the previous Chief Minister in reaching an agreement with Spanish fishermen that they could ignore the law. I'm afraid that the only “resolution” of this matter will come from the permanent, visible threat of British force and a willingness to use it. By the by, suppose Cameron's wife wanted to go there and wouldn't be dissuaded.
29 as this at Moron, 120 km from Gibraltar.
Jun 29th, 2013 - 03:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pQVXa2rK8xU
@35 Asdrúbal el Repugnante
Jun 29th, 2013 - 05:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You are BACK! Been off kneeling in front of the Pope asking for a blessing?
BTW, as an argie, you do know that Spain could use their Eurofighters against The Dark Country, don't you? They could do with the combat practice against a bunch of cowards as they have never fought anybody but their own people.
Or are you still so fucked-up stupid as to think they will fire on Gibraltar?
I cannot even imagine the world of shit that Spain would be in if that happened.
You and your country need to grow a pair instead of listening to the crooks in the “government” and the harpie herself TMBOA.
Thanks for that chaps,
Jun 29th, 2013 - 06:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0perhaps the sooner we get out, the better..
@35 How thoughtful of your pilot. To paint targets on his helmet. Thanks!
Jun 30th, 2013 - 01:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@35AssDribble el Belly
Jun 30th, 2013 - 03:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Only two planes?
These are the latest information on argentine future aircraft carrier and plane requisitions that will be purchased for the argentine navy.
Jun 30th, 2013 - 06:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Very very impressive.
Brits eat ya heart out..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=seN-JRmaib4&feature=episodic
Argentine airforce,
TOP GUNS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=seN-JRmaib4&feature=episodic
and their latest future jet, the Jetcat P160 SE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=seN-JRmaib4&feature=episodic
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
you will be envy of the world..
@40 Briton
Jun 30th, 2013 - 10:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0On the first video is that Timmerturd or TMBOA herself having a burp, it could be a frog and you have to admit that they look and sound very similar.
I loved the Top Guns video, so reminiscent of the time expired argie Mirages falling out of the sky. But did you know that you can buy one of the Fuerza Aerea Argentina Sqn VIII Mirages? Certainly as powerful as any of the argie planes, and in much better condition. This one is guaranteed NOT to fall out of the sky, killing it’s pilot. You can see this marvellous plane at:
http://www.flyingmule.com/products/FA-FA725006
The third video proved you can't take the Germans out of the jet plane. Admittedly his plane was powered by a British company Wren Turbines UK Limited turbine which is vastly more reliable than the German pulse jet. Did you notice the launch rail was a dead ringer for the pulse jet V1?
Cracking video though.
LOLs
41 ChrisR
Jul 01st, 2013 - 05:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Yes that’s a very sleek looking plane……
.
#34
Jul 02nd, 2013 - 01:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Sounds as if you started as an APO in the Waterguard.
I also have had to stand on top of oil tanks in howling blizzards, work in Whisky bonds -no heating due to fire risks -in temps. of
-15°C, deal with crooks and unsavoury characters and my salary being held back as an example to outside business to control their wage bill - which they never did.
It always amazed me how little corruption there was in the Civil Service. I could have made a tidy sum if I had accepted bribes for doing nothing more than “looking the other way”
Unfortunately, my parents had instilled in me right from wrong or I would be posting this from Fiji.
However, 40 years in the Customs and Excise gave me a strong sense of humour which is better than money !
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!