MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Gibraltar chief minister mobbed by extremists in Spanish university
Hooded far right extremists disrupted an academic event in the Spanish port of Algeciras at which Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo was due to have delivered a speech on cross-border cooperation Thursday night. They were joined by a group of fishermen from La Linea and Algeciras standing next to a banner that read “Picardo Fascista”. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesSpanish Facism alive and well. They'll be burning books next.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 07:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0The “protestors” achieved their goal, preventing free debate and free speech, and suppressing real information.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 08:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0I smell Spanish government collusion!
Nov 30th, 2013 - 08:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0@3 “Spanish government collusion”. You think? The PP “miscalculated”. They would have preferred to get into power when Spain was in (marginally) economic health. Of course, they couldn't have assumed power then. The Spanish people are just about bright enough not to disturb a situation that's working. But economic disaster means change of government. So PP gets in in the hope things will be made better. Meanwhile the Spanish PM is implicated in a fraud. The Partido Popular is a continuation of the People's Alliance, a “party” organised by leading members of Franco's support. And thus attacks on Gibraltar by thugs. Much the same as the Campora and Quebracho thugs of the argie government. Find a suitable “cause”. Institute a suitable “official” government campaign. Then let the thugs loose to intimidate and terrorise. But Gibraltar needs to fight back. Start by expelling the Cervantes Institute. Why it was allowed in I cannot imagine. Then dispense with the “services” of all the Spaniards that currently work on the Rock. Then close and wall off the border crossing. Armed watchtowers around the coast manned by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment with orders to open fire on “intruders”. Government-purchased and owned air and sea links with Morocco. Either escorted/protected by British military assets or armed to protect themselves. How good to see a Gibraltar high speed catamaran hydrofoil ferry opening fire on Guardia Civil vessel. And then speeding away! Perhaps such a ferry could even ram a GC vessel and cut in half. Never to be seen again.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 10:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0I think they were afraid of hearing another side to the debate .... shouting people down is the Spanish way along with ignoring any laws that do not benefit them .
Nov 30th, 2013 - 10:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0Love to hear fascists calling others fascists simply because they refuse to do what they ask.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 11:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0A true definition of a fascist is to deny an alternative viewpoint from being expressed other than their own. The fact these people wouldn't let Picardo speak shows how intolerant they are.
No one is really surprised though. I would judge the whole of Spain on those 20 unemployed losers though.
It's just the way it is in certain universities in Spain.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 12:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The normal tenets of civilised behaviour just don't apply in much of Spain.
This must be what the few Brits who hear this news-piece must be thinking.
Most of the UK and most of Spain are entirely unmoved by such stage-shows.
This is why Argentina should be taught a very serious lesson they won't soon forget. You let one country get away with needling you all the time and another one thinks its okay too.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 12:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Scumbags.
I have to say I would have absolutely have expected something like this to happen, Jesus Christ they have had a go at a children's football team! Brave ferkers.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 12:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0So if I would expect it, I have two questions:
1. Picardo would also have known it, so why go ahead?
2. The Spanish authorities would have known it, why did they not take proactive steps to prevent it?
Makes me think that Picardo was playing a clever game, either way, he comes out looking the better than the Spanish. He was willing to talk, they obviously did not want to let.
Win, win for Picardo in my opinion.
Brave man!
It was well planned but reflected pretty badly on Spain. It was very similar to what happened to Nigel Farage in Scotland which was orchestrated by the SNP. They don't respect the opinions of others, infact they are frightened of them, just hell bent on their own agendas. Spain May as well have hired La Campora or out an add in El Pais showing the current state of democracy in Spain.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 01:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@6 “unemployed losers”
You realise that covers a sizeable number of the population in Spain right now, yes?
Britworker
Nov 30th, 2013 - 01:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Not all unemployed people in Spain are losers, but most losers are unemployed. These fine specimens of Spain are obviously both. However I will not extrapolate that out to all Spaniards.
Reality Check
I didn't think about that but it is obvious. I have always said the UK plays the long game. Very much like chess really. Spain accts as if every pawn that the UK loses is a major victory and celebrates.
Anglotino.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 01:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You have to wonder, was Picardo playing a very canny game?
If he was, then you have to take your hat off to him. After all, what you are talking about here is the suppression of free speech and they call him a fascist!
Also makes you wonder, if the Spanish Government had some behind the scenes involvement in this? they are certainly not in the same political league that he is.
Always surprises me how countries with small populations, seem to produce far, far superior politicians.
@12, a rent-a-mob? As for small countries with small populations, the answer is simple, the smart people have no crowd of stupid people in which to hide and carry on their business of making ideas work.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 03:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Never thought of that!
Nov 30th, 2013 - 03:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Why do these righ wing extremists nevee call for all out war against Britain?
Nov 30th, 2013 - 03:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I know theyre typicsl bullies: Scared.
Typical gobshites, stand at the back doing all the shouting, when the shit hits the fan they run away. Reminds me of somebody else.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 04:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Apparently Spain has threatened to stop ships especially these carrying blocks or other material into Gibraltar,
Nov 30th, 2013 - 07:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Effectively creating a blockade,
Gibraltar should extend their water out to 12 miles,
And we need to do more than just complain.
We are being pushed to far.
.
Leave the buggers to it, personally I think the more aggressive they get the better?
Nov 30th, 2013 - 07:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0We should just sit back and take it like the wimp of Europe, because when and there will be a when, when we fight back, it will have more of an affect!
The Spanish would have been more sensible grilling Picardo in the debate -though Picardo can reply with intelligent riposts.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 07:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0By suppressing 'dialogue' they have denied themselves a chance to challenge Picardo and made themselves look like asses, especially as Picardo has not hidden away or not wanted to engage.
If Spain were to be a clever country-if they want Gibraltar to become part of Spain all they have to do is persuade 30,000 people that is is better to be Spanish than to seek self-autonomy.
By continually bullying Gibraltar heels will be dug in further and maybe Gibraltar will trade with Morrocco-to the detriment of the Spanish economy.
with most of Spain trying desperately to break away from them,
Nov 30th, 2013 - 07:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0its no wonder they are desperate..
@19
Nov 30th, 2013 - 09:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Agree entirely that the Spaniards would have been better to have engaged in dialogue, home goal for Spain methinks, remind you of anywhere else?
Certainly does, though I would hazard to say, there will not be a single bullet fired in this case.
Nov 30th, 2013 - 10:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Leave the Spanish alone, just like their past colonial friends, they are doing a great job of shafting themselves!
What did Picardo expect? to be welcomed with flowers and chocolates??
Dec 01st, 2013 - 01:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0He throws concrete blocks into the waters..he tells the guardia civil that they will be shot...he takes Spain to the EU (and loses)...he sends a shifty bag across the border.....He accuses Spain of shooting Gibs at NATO...he acusses Spain of being like North Korea.... and he has the nerve to go Spain to make a speech...
I would have kicked his arse all the way to the border....
“I would have kicked his arse all the way to the border….”
Dec 01st, 2013 - 02:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0If your arse kicking is anything like your ability to argue you would have spun around and managed to kick yourself in your own arse while he looked on and laughed.
Now…. don't be a fascist, it is unbecoming.
*24 well!! my ability to argue imust be coming across!! as I see you are very eager to reply to my posts!!
Dec 01st, 2013 - 02:27 am - Link - Report abuse 0A fascists me!!?? never!! but I would love to kick that arse back to Gibraltar!! :)
Nice British flag at the picture above :-))))))))))))
Dec 01st, 2013 - 04:24 am - Link - Report abuse 0Aussie sunshine
Dec 01st, 2013 - 05:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0Replying to you is like giving a helping hand to someone waiting for the blue bus. It is a civic duty to show how inane and incompetent you are.
Every reply to you actually denigrates you and reducing the impact of anything you say. And the funniest thing is that you just highlighted with your post.
And be proud of your fascism, don't back off when your traits are highlighted. Embrace them. Picardo is such a bogeyman to you and most Spaniards that of course you can't stand to hear him talk. He might make you think and that is the last thing that your government would want you to do. You wouldn't be doing your job for your patria if actually thought.
'He throws concrete blocks into the water..
Dec 01st, 2013 - 10:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0he tells the Guarda civil that they will be shot...
he takes Spain to the EU (and loses)...
he sends a shifty bag across the border.....
he accuses, at NATO, Spain of shooting Gibs ...
he accuses Spain of being like North Korea.... and
he has the nerve to go Spain to make a speech...'
(Aussie S.)
No wonder the university provided him with a platform to debate and validate and/or counter these accusations.
A university is the perfect place to engage in intelligent debate;
it is a place where deluded debate is destroyed by the power of argument.
Unfortunately, Picardo was himself deluded ... if he really believed that he would be allowed a platform for debate or unfettered speech.
It was, of course, a sordid little political exercise in which a university was a willing accomplice.
Once more, universities are used as pawns in the excremental games of real life.
#26 Coming from an inhabitant of a nation entirely stolen from the native inhabitants, don't you think it's a bit ironic, to call the British pirates. You're a god damn hypocrite and you will never get your grubby little hands on the Falklands.
Dec 01st, 2013 - 11:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0@21 golfcronie
Dec 01st, 2013 - 04:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0,“ remind you of anywhere else?”
That's a hard one-somewhere with the same genetially inherited flaws-like Spaingentina?
what a way for a third world country to treat a visiting diplomat..
Dec 01st, 2013 - 06:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0*31 “visiting diplomat” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!! That was funny!! oh dear me!! HAHAHAHA
Dec 01st, 2013 - 09:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Does this kind of thing happen to ANY other European country.
Dec 01st, 2013 - 11:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0When was the last time the Swedes, Belgians, Austrians, Spanish or Italians or Irish or Danes had their flag burned by crowds in one continent while students charged their representative in another.
All while Scotland is trying to break away and N.Ireland is filled with people who dont want to be British.
Perhaps its something to do with imperial delusion of grandeur in London.
Vestige says:
Dec 02nd, 2013 - 11:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0“Perhaps its something to do with imperial delusion of grandeur in London.”
Which as per usual is quite laughable and indicative of his intelligence level.
And yet Northern Ireland has its head of state in London.
And Scotland has its head of state in London.
And Gibraltar has its head of state in London.
And the central government for all three entities is also London.
Scotland is free to leave if the majority wish and vote accordingly.
Northern Ireland is free to leave if the majority wish and vote accordingly.
Gibraltar is free to leave if the majority wish and vote accordingly.
Gibraltar has voted to stay.
Scotland will soon vote.
Northern Ireland has not requested a vote… yet!
Self determination is such an inconvenience for some.
@23 Is there room in that space between your ears for a “thought”? I presume that you don't have the ability to read and comprehend those who have posted before you. Let's explain a few things. He's entitled to “throw concrete blocks into the water in his territory”. See whether you can get it through the bone that UNCLOS post-dates Utrecht. He's very restrained. I would have shot hundreds of Guardia Civil thugs by now. And blown up most of their boats. At the EU, he didn't lose. And he was INVITED. But perhaps he will learn. And the next time some Spanish kindergarten asks him to attend, he will say “Fcuk off!”
Dec 02nd, 2013 - 02:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@25 I wonder you can't understand. A turd can't kick an arse. From time to time arses expel turds. Figure it out!
@32 I agree that Mr Picardo is not a “diplomat”. He is a “head of government”. But can you understand this? Fabian has the authority to order the Royal Gibraltar Regiment to mount an assault. Not the only organisation he has the authority to order to take defensive or offensive actions. He also has the authority to purchase “assets” capable of turning various Spanish towns out to around 25 miles from the coast into blazing ruins. Artillery firing from the top of the Rock could turn Algeciras into a charnel house. But what would you care? You're not there. Where are you cowering? Because you're pretty gutless, aren't you? I'm ready to stand on the front line. Are you? “aussie sunshine”? More like “aussie arsehole”.
@33
Dec 02nd, 2013 - 03:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You really are naive in the extreme if you believe that the British Treasury would invest one brass farthing in delusions of imperial grandeur.
The Falklands and Gibraltar are defended because Argentina and Spain respectively are so clueless and wrapped up in their own unfounded sense of vIctimhood, that they've made it impossible to do anything else.
No sign of that changing any time soon either.
once again, clueless anti brit bloggers,
Dec 02nd, 2013 - 07:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0the jealousy shows.
36, 34 - yes yes, ad nauseam, all well and good, but not addressing the point.
Dec 03rd, 2013 - 04:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0I think that for any other European country by now they would have thought to themselves 'hmmm we're being belligerent unreasonable dicks with these leftovers of our colonial empire' and would have taken logical steps rather than going into 'sun' mode
... like some particularly loony posters in here, not necessarily yourselves but theres one among your team who I think we all know is a bit..well.
@38
Dec 03rd, 2013 - 06:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0Definition of anglophobia: two countries with a recent history of fascism struggle with the notion of universal human rights, and it's all the fault of the Brits.
Only in Vestige's mind would repeating past mistakes and ignoring current accepted norms and laws regarding self determination be “logical”.
Dec 03rd, 2013 - 06:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0The empire is long gone and it frustrates him no end that it didn't end the same as
@38 Vestige
Dec 03rd, 2013 - 02:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As ever, you slate the UK under the guise of some sort of holier-than-thou, impartial ‘citizen of the world’. Not sure why you haven’t the courage to state your own citizenship, says a lot.
The UK, like your country, looks after the interests of its citizens, especially those with bigger bullying neighbours. Its not perfect, but its a no brainer to say it has far better international reputation and heritage then your dysfunctional homeland.
41 - Maybe I am a bit 'holier than thou'. But I don't think I can be accused of putting on an act of impartiality.
Dec 03rd, 2013 - 05:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Citizen of the world, I'd say citizen of the 21st century, contrasting some troublesome, outmoded, partially factual, beliefs on team blighty in here.
Its not that I dont have the courage to state my own citizenship.. its just that the result would be so very tiring, predictable and irrelevant.
If I was a Finn it would be 'oh you sided with hitler, Pole ' oh you'll live in our country alright'. American - Iraq, Hiroshima etc etc.
Have you ever considered that these little places flying the British flag are really just flying a UK flag.
Which if we're being honest is really just the English flag, the St.George being merely for ceremony and history and to divide the wheat from the chaff of Scotland or Wales.
(Surprisingly no southern England flag to delineate away the northern working types)
- After England itself - , its all an extension of London really which where it counts, is itself still run by the class system, Eton chums, and the old boy's club.
Anyway, there are no little British countries being bullied, because there are no lil British countries, its all England in reality.
Get rid of all these little places' flags and put a St.George in its place, it would be more honest
The bullying is being done by Britain aka the UK aka England, with little bits of England found round the world, the problem is even with the backing of the majority of rest of the UK/England major, democracy cannot be exercised, enlightened attitudes cannot rule, democracy is franchised out and departmentalized and given a token BS flag.
The people of UK/England major realize the power structure which is why you have the likes of Scotland so fatigued with being untermenschen to the home counties chums many want a separate country.
Same thing in N.Ireland, some didn't want Torquin and Prudence deciding their lives which is why it went to ****
Out of space
@42
Dec 03rd, 2013 - 05:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Vestige is actually Rik from the Young ones.
Every cliché imaginable.
nah nah nah nah nah nah
Dec 03rd, 2013 - 05:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0vestige is rick from the young ones.
nah nah nah nah nah nah.
(sob) :(
@42
Dec 03rd, 2013 - 05:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0My, some response.
Again as ever, throwing in your usual kitchen sink Anglophobic spiel as a diversion to the argument. That’s what makes your cover story rather cunning - you wouldn't want to get diverted now would you! Having to constantly defend ‘your history’! Very cunning.
The UK’s composition and history have nothing to do with this thread and is no different from virtually all other countries in the world, made of different regions, peoples and religions; although we don’t go in for suppression of self-determination and ethnic cleanings like many. Just look at Argentina and Spain; fancy batting for the Catalans, Basques, ethnics tribes of Argentina for a change? Yeah right.
Gibraltar's status is no more anomalous in 21st century Europe than Andorra, Büsingen or Greenland.
Dec 03rd, 2013 - 08:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Of all continents, Europe is the one littered most with weird borders, government agreements and cultural mixes.
It frustrates some people no end that unlike the Spanish or Portuguese empires where every speck of inhabited land embraced independence and got as far away as possible from their colonial motherlands, many parts of the British Empire are quite happy to stay part of the UK now that the Empire is gone and they are allowed to leave.
The UK could remove all its territories from the UN non self governing list in one swoop by integrating those territories into the metropolitan area as France and Netherland have done. But it doesn't because it is happy with the status quo and then it would become the very thing that others accuse it of actual being already.
Gibraltar's change in status will come from Gibraltar and it doesn't matter how you try to twist it, it doesn't involve becoming part of Spain at any time in the near future. Spain could have ensured that was not the case but it has work so hard against integration that it may have permanently and irrevocable damaged any chance of that.
Thanks to Spain, Gibraltar may eventually become 21st century Europe's newest micro state.
@46
Dec 04th, 2013 - 10:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Yes Anglotino, instead of taking advantage of Gibraltar providing more jobs for Spain( who could worm their way by being more friendly to Gibraltar), they have sparked off the age old British attitude of 'sod you' and distanced themselves further from any change of sucking in Gibraltar..
And maybe thanks to Gibraltar, Catalonia and the Basque region may want to be other small states.
Catalonia and the Basque region could learn the democratic way of partition from the way the UK is enabling Scotland to 'go it alone'. It is a dangerous and rocky road, but, when regions that were previously countries want to manage their own destiny, there are honourable ways to manage the process.
Dec 05th, 2013 - 10:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0Spain could handle it without another civil war.
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