MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
“Excellent relations with UK” but “tough controls on Gibraltar” announced Rajoy
Spain’s President Mariano Rajoy has declared his intent to sustain both good relations with Britain and tough controls on Gibraltar at the border. The remarks came in an interview with Radio Nacional de España in which he defended Spain’s attitude to Gibraltar. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules”Rajoy declined to comment on the calling in of the Spanish ambassador by the Foreign Office in London and said that he is focused on a good relationship with the British “and that is how it will be.”
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 08:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0...Strange thing to say.....are the people of Gibraltar not British?
“But my duty is also to defend the interests of the Spanish and that is also how it is going to be.”
I would imagine Cameron would say....
“But my duty is also to defend the interests of the British and that is also how it is going to be.”
The waters are not Spanish. The waters concerned are British Gibraltar sovereign waters. If Rajoy wants to dispute this he is required to take the matter to a tribunal. By law, one state cannot delimit another sovereign waters without their agreement.
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 08:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Of course, most sensible people already know that all Rajoy is doing is playing the Gibraltar card to hide political scandal and poor economic news. Sad.
2
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 08:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It appears UN maritime tribunals have no power...they can and will be ignored!
http://en.mercopress.com/2013/11/22/russia-refuses-to-free-greenpeace-vessel-ignoring-un-maritime-tribunal-order
Maybe our multilingual posters could tells us poor Brits. what is the Spanish for“eff off”
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 08:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Never mind the quality of the water. They should check the quality of the air.
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 08:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It as the distinct aroma of bullshit.
I don't think this guy has a full grasp on this situation. I haven't heard anything from the UK government mentioning what a great relationship we have with Spain in recent weeks, quite the opposite in fact.
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 08:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@2 that would put Spain in the same league as Russia which is regarded as 'Nigeria with Snow.'
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 09:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Nor have we heard anything from the UK Defence Minister!
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 09:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Wtf are these numpties playing at?
Am I wrong in thinking? I just read that the head of Spains military publicly declare that he considered BGTW as Spanish.
That wasn't mentioned in the debate in the commons.
Did he say it before or after the debate? Must have been after, because somehow I think one or two of the members of the house would have had an opinion on his comments.
EU Rights Clinic condemns EC finding on Gibraltar border checks
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 09:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.kent.ac.uk/news/comment/stories/EU%20Rights%20Clinic/2013#.Uo_B32cXGQh.twitter
On Wednesday Spain’s Defense Minister Peter Morenés, commenting on the latest incidents in the Bay of Gibraltar, declared that “we have not been in waters that we do not consider anything other than Spanish”, adding “so we have no conflict as far as we are concerned.”
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 09:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Argentina has said the same about the Falkland Islands
When will this stop?
England is a Britishit. Admiral Cochrane, forgive me.
Nov 22nd, 2013 - 11:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@11
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 12:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0what is a Britishit
You can't expect to go around the world taking bits of peoples countries without getting some negative reaction.
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 12:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0.....I don't know...I don't hear the Australians, Canadians and the Americans complaining....
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 12:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0It depends on who you take it off...
“You can't expect to go around the world taking bits of peoples countries without getting some negative reaction.”
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 02:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0And how big was the Spanish Empire at its zenith exactly?
What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Spain has at one time or another ruled land (in part or all) in the following modern countries; whether through conquest, occupation, settlement or empire building such as marriage etc:
France
Malta
Italy
Andorra
Greece
Albania
Luxembourg
Morocco
Haiti
Bahamas
Dominican Republic
Trinidad and Tobago
Netherlands
Panama
Jamaica
Algeria
Libya
Cuba
Venezuela
Mexico
Colombia
Nicaragua
Guatemala
Belize
El Salvador
Marshall Islands
Honduras
Micronesia
Ecuador
Tunisia
Paraguay
Peru
Argentina
Chile
Germany
Bolivia
USA
Philippines
Costa Rica
Brunei
Indonesia
Taiwan
St Kitts and Nevis
Uruguay
Brazil
Equatorial Guinea
Canada
Palau
Portugal
In effect, Rajoy is saying to the Spanish electorate “We can harrass the British, there are no implications”
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 02:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0Now watch a subtle war: If Rajoy has skeletons in the closet watch how they will suddenly come out in the press. Watch UK contracts being dropped, tourism slowing down.
The UK will now begin wiping the floor with him.
The UK doesn't need to retaliate. That is not their style. Look at Argentina. They have harassed the Falkland Islands for decades now and the UK only steps in when it becomes serious.
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 05:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0So far all Spain is done is harass. It has no permanent effect. It is nothing but an annoyance. Spain has gained nothing anywhere for its actions.
If Spain wants to keep it up then it will become a permanent feature then. The long term consequences will still not be in Spain's favour.
I noted in the House of Commons debate thar the Under Secretary was keen to underscore that the Spanish vessel was not one of their naval vessels. I wonder what the UK reaction would have been if it was, say a frigate or a destroyer that hadsat there for 22 hours, playing silly buggers with the Police and RN?
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 07:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0High time for the UK to boycott anything Spanish, including and especially holidays there...holidays are potentially a dangerous option for Brits anyway...with the considerable anti British feelings which have been stirred up by the Spanish media and government.
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 10:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0British cars have been damaged there, British owned properties attacked, Tourists abused and the paramilitary thugs (as recently reported) have been targeting British tourists and ex pats with trumped up legal charges in order to secure unrealistic cash fines (better known as corrupt extortion in civilised countries)
Spain is only a democracy in name, done to secure membership of the EU and to gain access to funds (which it can't now repay) and to give its environmentally inconsiderate fishermen (who fish illegally worldwide) a fast track into EU fishing grounds...
@11 Brazil - the world's most criminal and murderous “society”. Totally full of it. Let's just hope that the maximum number of normal people boycott the World Cup and the Olympics. May be the only way to remain safe, and ALIVE!
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 11:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0@13 In the current context, Gibraltar was given. And we shouldn't forget that Spain breached the treaty. All those sieges. So Gibraltar is accustomed to Spanish antics. And Spain WILL regret its actions.
@19 Tend to agree. But Britain needs to take more “effective” action. It was notable that in the parliamentary debate that followed the illegal incursion by a Spanish “research” vessel, the under-secretary of state repeatedly mentioned “de-escalating” the situation. What is more important is to recognise that defence, deterrence and protection is not the same as “escalation”. I am writing to my MP recommending, not a Navy deployment, but deployment of suitable artillery, Warrior IFVs and Apache attack helicopters. On the west side, territorial waters extend to two and a half miles. To the south and east, it's three miles. All within range of deployed assets. No need to open fire. Unless the Spanish misbehave. It is notable that, when the Royal Navy appears at Gibraltar, a lot of Spanish harassment stops. Perhaps if the Spanish realise that British artillery, etc is “zeroed-in” and an attack helicopter capable of destroying a tank can be on-scene in minutes, they might think twice. But let's by all means have a boycott of everything Spanish. A while back, I really enjoyed Tarifa. Just a few miles from Gibraltar. As well as Vitoria, Burgos, Salamanca, Badajoz and Cadiz. But I won't be going back.
15 - Anglo.
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 03:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Firstly tell me if you CAN go around the world taking bits of peoples countries without getting some negative reaction.
Its pretty much a yes or no question.
Referring to Spain doesn't change it.
Nor does listing a parade of Spains ancient sins.
Thats just evasiveness and misdirection.
#21
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 05:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Argentina is trying to take the Falkands.
It is pointless listing Spain's previous sins in the perspective of the 21st century. That's ancient history. Most countries acted the same way in the past.
But certain Argie posters keep up a continual diatribe about the sins of the UK's past colonial history. I would guess that Anglo was reminding certain posters of their colonial background.
In other words, if you live in a glass house, don't throw stones.
@ 21 No Vestige of an intellect
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 06:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Boot on the other foot is it?
Plenty of Spain’s “achievements” ha, ha, ha. Like running away from the British Navy?
Spanish Amada sunk off Ireland and almost a total loss. And Philippe having God (FFS) on his side. He would have done better training his “officers” how to sail and operate a wooden fighting ship. Trouble was of course, most of the fighting was between the officers as to who would wear the prettiest hat! Ha, ha, ha.
Just like yourself I suppose: who has got the brain cell this week, you or the wife? I suppose she deserves it as she wears the trousers.
What a twat.
@13 Vestige
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 08:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“You can't expect to go around the world taking bits of peoples countries without getting some negative reaction.”
I take it that applies to Spain too? (Note @15).
Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain by treaty they gave it to Britain, it wasn't taken.
Yeah sorry Vestige, Gibraltar was given and not taken!
Nov 23rd, 2013 - 10:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@21 You would say something like that, wouldn't you? Don't try your own evasiveness and misdirection. Perhaps you would like to set out some “baselines”. Try these, in chronogical order: The Akkadian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Hittite, Neo-Assyrian, Kushite, Carthaginian, Neo-Babylonian, Median, Achaemenid, Pandyan, Nanda, Macedonian, Mauryan, Seleucid, Ptolemaic, Parthian, Armenian, Sunga, Goguryeo, Roman, Kushan, Aksumite, Wei, Shu, Frankish, Gallic, Palmyrene, Britannic, Gupta, Byzantine, Hunnic, Hephthalite, Wari, Bruneian, First Bulgarian, Srivijaya, Balhae, Kanem, Pala, Tibetan, Ghana, Khmer, Great Moravian, Tu'i Tonga, Goryeo, Holy Roman, Western Chalyuka, Micronesian, Scandinavian, Hoysala, Great Seljuq, Ethiopian, Angevin, Second Bulgarian, Latin, Mongol, Mali, Majapahit, Ottoman, Ajuuraan, Vijayanagura, Songhai, Serbian, Danish colonial, Timurid, Bornu, Oyo, Spanish, Portuguese, Aztec, Inca, Benin, Mughal, French colonial, Dutch and Gorkha Empires. All of these pre-date the British Empire. And I've missed out those referred to as a Dynasty, Khanate, Caliphate and other terms. 77 empires. But only the British got it wrong! But let's look at the British Empire in a context. The Spanish went out to invade, conquer, occupy, enslave, steal and murder. The Portuguese went out to invade, conquer and occupy. The British went out to trade. Shall we count the number of countries ex-Spanish, ex-Portuguese, ex-French, ex-British Empires that maintain their close links with the “imperial” power? Britain has at least 52. Can Spain, Portugal, France claim as many? Doubtful if any of them could claim as many as 10. You won't like or admit that. Because you daren't admit what you are. Italians, Spaniards, even Germans, are the murderers and vandals of the world. Point at others all you like. But Italy and Spain are continuing to commit “sins” even in the present day. Italy by enabling North Africans to prey on Europe. And Spain attacks Gibraltar!
Nov 24th, 2013 - 01:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0When two women who once argued over the garden fence,
Nov 24th, 2013 - 06:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Are now best friends?
One can bet an agreement has already been pencilled in,
Sadly the old battered fence will certainly suffer.
Just a thought..?
.
I see that Spain has just racked up the tension by opening UK diplomatic bags destined for Madrid, at the Gib. land border.
Nov 26th, 2013 - 07:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0This surely was not the act of a border official acting on his own, but a direct order from higher authorities.
Relations between the United Kingdom and Spain are excellent. Excellent,” Rajoy declares.
It certainly does not look like it from this cack handed act.
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