MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Gibraltar criticizes latest incident at artificial reef; Picardo opens window for talks
Gibraltar has strongly criticised Spanish police for sending divers to inspect an artificial reef in waters claimed by the British territory. Governor Sir Adrian Johns said the action constituted a serious violation of UK sovereignty over Gibraltar. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesWhen are you removing the blocks Picardo?....Soon....I heard it's Freezing in Hell!..;-)
Aug 24th, 2013 - 06:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The latest childish stunt with the flag shows this is just a smoke screen created by the Spanish government as a distraction from their woes. They are not interested in discussing anything.
Aug 24th, 2013 - 06:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Big babies.
@1 A_Voice of Thinks
Aug 24th, 2013 - 07:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0There is no need for Gibraltar to remove the blocks, as they are in Gibraltarian territorial waters and NOTHING to do with Spain.
I agree with ElaineB. This is the woefully crap, corrupt and desperate actions of a government that knows it is finished. The Spanish people don't care about Gibraltar, more so those who are their direct neighbours and can see the benefits of friendly relations.
The more the Spanish government tries to distract the people from their incompetent governance (sound familiar?) the more the people will become angry that the Spanish government is spending all its time and effort on something that doesn't affect them at all, instead on important matters; like the economy and unemployment.
3
Aug 24th, 2013 - 07:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0On that basis they also don't need to let Spanish fisherman fish in the waters.....yet.....even to the point of changing laws!
It is only a matter of time the way the Gibs are back peddling....before they remove the blocks......good faith.....back pedal, back pedal and so much for Pigcardo's....Hell would Freeze over......
Pity the Gibraltaran government wasn't dropping additional blocks that day.
Aug 24th, 2013 - 07:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Unfortunately, the latest videos filmed by the Guardia Civil divers indicate where this dispute is headed next.
Aug 24th, 2013 - 08:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The divers were measuring the blocks and the only reason they would be doing this is to work out the amount of lifting bags needed to move each block.
The Guardia Civil used a Rhib as a dive boat for this visit. This boat was monitored by the RGP and Royal Navy and they went out to tell it to leave. The divers were forced to use the scooters to leave British waters.
It is very likely that they will return, without the dive boat (not to alert the Royal Gibraltar Police & Royal Navy) and attach a number of air bags to each block, one at a time, then as soon as they are buoyant, move the blocks underwater until they are north of the breakwater and in Spanish waters.
The Guardia Civil dare not try to lift the blocks out of the water in British waters, because this 'executive action' would force the RGP and RN to intervene and arrest the Guardia Civil. The Government of Gibraltar quite rightly reacted very strongly to the Spanish divers trespassing on the reef. It is such a serious breach of UNCLOS that it would constitute grounds to arrest the divers by any means.
That includes dropping 'scare charges', blocks of C4 explosive with enough power to stun any diver with the concussive force. Any Spanish diver stupid enough to try and remove the blocks would lose his ear-drums and possibly his life too, if they were mad enough to try and lift the blocks.
Spain has upped the ante considerably. By this I mean that their actions are close to an act of war. The Government of Gibraltar consider the reef as much British territory as Main Street. If a Spanish Police officer walked up Gibraltar's Main Street & started ordering people about, he would be arrested and charged with criminal activity. However, such an act would be considered close to an act of war and Britain would take appropriate action to stop Spain doing this ever again.
We should not wait. Attack now!
Aug 24th, 2013 - 11:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@7
Aug 25th, 2013 - 01:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0Yes attack now, send fat Camoron with his Mickey mouse towel.
“Spanish Divers Hold Flags As They Inspect Gibraltar Reef Blocks” :-))
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/08/24/spanish-police-flag-gibraltar_n_3809196.html
TWIMC....
Aug 25th, 2013 - 01:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0Some steps Spain should follow to protect European Union Interests….:
1) Strongly support English Prime Minister David Cameron’s initiative of taxing the Gibraltar Internet Gambling Industry with 15% from the current 1%....
(This ”lenient” 1% Gibraltarian tax is costing the ~5 00.000.000 European Union Taxpayers billions of €uros each and every year.)
2) Stop all land transport into Gibraltar of sand and boulders used to refill the seabed at, for example ”Cape Privilege”…..
(Those land fills are destroying a European Union Protected Natural Zone.)
3) Continue with the stringent border controls on Gibraltar to protect European Union Citizens against the known harmful effects of cheap contra-banded booze and cigs…. ;-)
A great comment
Aug 25th, 2013 - 02:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0Flying the Spanish flag underwater is part of a long tradition originally started by Sir Francis Drake.
(poster “deecee1150” at the telegraph)
@6 Why do you think that the Spanish would try to lift the blocks? A very long and arduous job, considering that there are 75 blocks. Consider how long it took the contractor to lay them. I suggest that it is more likely that the Spanish plan to plant explosives with a view to pulverising the blocks. But I fully approve of your idea of dropping blocks of explosive, or perhaps hand grenades, on anybody diving around the reef.
Aug 25th, 2013 - 03:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0@9 Twinky has come out with some of his most stupid ideas to “date”. It's hilarious that he doesn't understand that taxes levied in Gibraltar go to Gibraltar. With regards to the land transport of sand and boulders, it's possible that he just realised in time that Gibraltar has a port. How will he respond when Gibraltar dredges the sand and boulders out of the seabed. Won't the Spanish be happy watching the dredgers go out? Come to think of it, doesn't Morocco have lots of sand and boulders? And finally, won't he be delighted when Gibraltar starts buying some of those high speed catamaran ferries and opens up its own route to Morocco. So many plusses there. Undercutting the Spanish ferry companies until they go out of business. Quite easy to do as a Gibraltar-based ferry company could charge significantly lower fares. The larger of these fast ferries are perfectly capable of carrying trucks, so Moroccan sand and boulders can arrive direct. And there's another plus. The Spanish companies that have been making money by supplying sand and boulders to Gibraltar won't be anymore! Is it time to change his “name” to “Thick”?
@9
Aug 25th, 2013 - 04:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0Oh yes, what a great idea. Ok, so lets say that happens.
1, UK government advises 5 million British tourists not to visit Spain in the 2014/15 summer season, due to aggressive and hostile acts towards British subjects by the Spanish government controlled Guardia Civil.
2. Blocks EU financial recovery initiatives in Spain and asks for their expulsion of NATO due to their hostile acts towards a fellow member.
3. Also applies the same levy on all Spanish citizens wishing to enter the UK, that the Spanish government wish to impose on the British subjects of Gibraltar.
4. Restricts Spanish fishing vessels in British waters.
5. Blocks all imports of Spanish produce into the the UK.
The Foreign Office have been very clear, “we can really hurt Spain if we chose to”. If Spain are stupid enough to go complaining jointly with Argentina at the UN, then just sit back and watch the show, because the gloves will be off at that point.
Well, well, well……
Aug 25th, 2013 - 04:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0Point 1) on my post No.(9), to take effect by December 2014……:
The proposed 15 percent tax, the same as that imposed on Britons who bet within Britain, would be a sharp markup from the 1 percent that Gibraltar currently levies. The plan, which Mr. Cameron wants to take effect by December 2014, would also make it compulsory for Gibraltar-based companies to have a British license to serve British clients.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/03/business/global/british-gambling-tax-plan-annoys-many-in-gibraltar.html?_r=0
Point 2) on my post No.(9), came through yesterday….:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/03/business/global/british-gambling-tax-plan-annoys-many-in-gibraltar.html?_r=0
Point 3) on my post No.(9), ongoing…….
Let’s now wait for the English Pussy-Cat retaliation…….
Chuckle chuckle©
@13
Aug 25th, 2013 - 05:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0We do things diplomatically THINK, lots of talking behind the scenes to sort the problem. I am sure the GIBRALTARIANS will live with it. You know it makes sense, I don't particularly like paying CGT tax which went from 18% to 28% but heho I made the money. I live with it. And if I become destitute the British Government will see I am not short of anything.
@ Think
Aug 25th, 2013 - 05:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0Sounds like you are sympathetic to Spain. Will they be getting their oil company back now?
Re: “english pussy-cat retaliation”. Does that imply that you don't think the British have been jumping up and down enough, or waving their hands enough. Should we be growing pony-tails and burning shopping trolleys or beating up on bin bags outside the Spanish Embassy? Should we cry at the UN and get all our neighbours to state luke-warm support for us? Perhaps we should triumphantly sail a wooden boat up the Thames and back? Or maybe we should should also claim Ceuta as being in our cone of inflence and point to the fact that some seabirds land in both places? Yes all excellent ideas thank-you Think. Just before we start though, how have these tactics worked for you in your disputes?
(15) Redrow
Aug 25th, 2013 - 06:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0You say...:
“Sounds like you are sympathetic to Spain.”
I say...:
Not really.... I just want England out of the Malvinas and Gibraltar as much as I want Spain out of Ceuta & Melilla.....
Two anachronic Ex Colonial Powers haughtily clinging to their last possessions.....
You say further…:
“Should we be growing pony-tails and burning shopping trolleys or beating up on bin bags outside the Spanish Embassy? Should we cry at the UN and get all our neighbours to state luke-warm support for us? Perhaps we should triumphantly sail a wooden boat up the Thames and back? Or maybe we should should also claim Ceuta as being in our cone of inflence and point to the fact that some seabirds land in both places?
I say…:
You Goddams should just go home to England……, you should.
Marcos, those deploying flotation bags on the blocks should remember that we have the best darts players in the world. They are currently undergoing aqualung training.
Aug 25th, 2013 - 06:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0@ Think
Aug 25th, 2013 - 07:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0At least we agree about the ex-colonial part regarding Britain at least. Just surprised therefore you would support neo-colonialism.
Plus now you have outed yourself as being in Britain (oooops!!!!!!), you might start using the name of the country you are in - i.e Britain or the UK. When I travel to foreign countries I always try to behave respectfully and according to local customs.
6 Nigel Unfortunately Cameron doesn't have enough guts to unleash the Royal Navy like he should. We'll end up backing down again.
Aug 25th, 2013 - 07:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0So far Spain hasn't gained a thing!
Aug 25th, 2013 - 07:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0When is this going to change?
@10 LOL!
Aug 25th, 2013 - 08:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0We don't need to launch battleships and go to war. The Spanish will go the way of Argentina...... Throw huge tantrums, make threats, tell lies, pull childish stunts, burn themselves out and dissolve into tears before bedtime. We need only point out they are being very silly and wait for the inevitable crash.
“”“”“”“”“”“”“Flying the Spanish flag underwater is part of a long tradition originally started by Sir Francis Drake.”“”“”“”“”
Aug 25th, 2013 - 08:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0QFT & LMFAO
@ Think, LOL you make me laugh the way you talk tells us your history again and where your granny was born.
Aug 25th, 2013 - 12:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@21 ElaineB
Aug 25th, 2013 - 12:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Precisely.
By acting quietly, smartly, and behind the scenes (i.e. not in the headlines) the UK will achieve far more than all the histrionics that Spain and Argentina are capable of.
We all know that Spain and Argentina DON'T want these 'territorial' disputes solved, as they need something to distract the general public away from the disasters that their governments are.
@16 I 'don't' Think
England isn't in Gibraltar or that mythical place that can't be found on any map 'Malvina's' (do you mean Maldives?).
Colonialism is dead. The only way forwards is for the people's of these territories to decide their own futures. In fact, I believe that both Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands have voted in referendum's to remain, for the moment, British Overseas Territories.
No doubt the people of Ceuta and Melilla feel the same way.
Self-determination is the ONLY legally recognised way forwards. One day, perhaps when the people of these territories feel ready, they will vote for full independence.
Argentina and Spain can continue to cry, lie, crawl, beg and throw tantrums, but they won't ever achieve their goals of neo-colonialism.
However, there is a international body that could solve these matters once and for all: the International Court of Justice.
One has to wonder that IF Spain and Argentina's claims are so solid, so amazingly irrefutable, why they haven't taken their respective cases to the ICJ.
Because there are only two LEGAL avenues that can be taken:
1. Prove your case at the ICJ (which neither country is willing to do - strange that with all that irrefutable evidence)
or
2. Woo the people who live in these respective territories until they want to be a part of either Spain or Argentina.
Since neither Spain or Argentina have made ANY effort at wooing the populations of these territories, and both have steadfastly refused to go the the ICJ, then we can only conclude that they don't actually want a resolution - they want a whipping boy.
Spanish Fisheries Chart Steers Clear of British Waters
Aug 25th, 2013 - 02:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Maps freely available on the Junta de Andalucía's website show that shell fisheries designated by 'Spain' in the Bay of Gibraltar clearly respect the boundary of British Gibraltar's territorial waters.
http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=30462
The Spanish are a bit like the Argies when it comes to making false statements about territory and getting their stories right.
Regarding Gibraltar airport being in the so-called 'neutral zone:
After the Second World War, according to the Helsinki Agreement, frontiers became fixed and cannot be moved. The airport was already in place at the time Spain signed the agreement.
@16 Please don't misunderstand me. I want to see argieland “out” or off of this planet. I want to see every argie dead. I don't include Argentines. I want to see argies blasted into the air and come down in bits. Small bits. The important thing is to kill shit. And where can we find shit? Argieland. It's full of it. Even better, it deserves to die!
Aug 25th, 2013 - 03:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@25
Aug 25th, 2013 - 03:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If you google Spanish territorial waters , all will be revealed, also in Spanish for any foreigners on this board.
27
Aug 25th, 2013 - 04:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Hehehe.......I like your wit...;-)
.......“also in Spanish for any foreigners on this board.”
.....South Atlantic News Agency website
The foreigner would be you....
@28
Aug 25th, 2013 - 05:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Sorry to disappoint but I am Anglo Saxon.;-))
Turnip at (29)......
Aug 25th, 2013 - 05:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Angelsächsisch, huhhhhhhhhhhhhh?
Goddam Boche foreigner!
29
Aug 25th, 2013 - 05:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Schleswig-Holstein oder Niedersachsen ? :-))))
@30,31
Aug 25th, 2013 - 05:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0:-)
Toodle Pip
(31) A_Voice
Aug 25th, 2013 - 05:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Or a “Dummer Däne” as the little Austian from Braunau liked to call them.......
32
Aug 25th, 2013 - 06:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Tally ho!
33 Think
Oooo......close to Godwin's law.....thought we were finished then! ;-)))
(34) A_Voice
Aug 25th, 2013 - 06:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Close indeed........, but I “Think” I stayed inside the acceptable limits of Godwin's law......
@34 & 35
Aug 25th, 2013 - 07:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Think, if you're going to use a 'sock puppet' to agree with you, you need to change the syntax of your post so it looks like two different people.
However, please continue, the rest of us can do with a good laugh, especially when you are desperately agreeing with yourself.
But nothing you have said will change the facts.
Fact 1: Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory.
Fact 2: There is NOTHING Spain can do about it, within the law.
This actually works for the Falkland Islands too.
Fact 1: The Falklands Islands are a British Overseas Territory.
Fact 2: There is NOTHING Argentina can do about it, within the law.
We all know that if Spain or Argentina actually had a case, they'd've been at the International Court of Justice quicker than greased-lightening.
Since they haven't been to the ICJ, we can logically deduce that they haven't got a case, beyond “because we want it”, which doesn't hold any weight in international law.
@ Think / Voice
Aug 25th, 2013 - 07:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don't think Godwins can apply in a discussion with yourself.
How did you enjoy the cricket/footie/Notting Hill carnival today? I wish you'd said before you were in Britain as we'd love to show you some British hospitality and maybe you wouldn't have to talk to yourself so much.
Why does “A_Voice” sound like Damen “Dover”?
Aug 26th, 2013 - 12:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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