Gibraltar has a new Governor - will he stand up for Gibraltar remains to be seen!
Sir James Dutton and his Wife arrive in a majestic way!
6 December 2013 Arrival of Sir James Dutton Governor of Gibraltar.
The Governor Sir James Dutton, Lady Dutton Speaking To the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.
Pic By Joey Martinez (c) (Defenders of Gibraltar) All Rights Reserved
Governor Sir James Dutton Saluting With the Keys.
Pic By Joey Martinez (c) (Defenders of Gibraltar) All Rights Reserved
Below - http://www.yourgibraltartv.com/society/5723-dec-06-new-governor-s-speech-in-parliament-full-text
Dec 06 - New Governor’s Speech In Parliament – Full Text
This is the full text of the speech delivered by Sir James Dutton who was sworn in as Governor of Gibraltar earlier today:
When he stood here 7 years ago, Sir
Rob Fulton commented in his inaugural address, that he was the first
Royal Marines Governor in the long history of Gibraltar: remarkable in
many ways, given the very close bonds and linkages between us. Now,
only a short time later, you have another Royal Marines Governor – it is
sometimes said that you can have too much of a good thing – I hope it
is not so in this case.
Like many Royal Marines I have
visited (or to be strictly accurate, passed through) Gibraltar on a
number of occasions in my 37 years in uniform, but never really staying
long enough to get to know the City. As the first port of call for
almost every ship leaving or returning to UK there was something of a
standard routine: the ship would dock in the early afternoon, there
would be some sort of smart cocktail party type event around dusk, and
then the evening (and for some, much of the night) would be spent
enjoying the hospitality of this town, sometimes even involving the
consumption of beer! The following morning the price was paid – the
Rock Run! Then around lunchtime the ship would sail. So, although we
were peripherally aware of the enormous and enduring strategic and
geographical importance of the Rock, most remembered it more for its
welcoming hospitality. Of course, over the years, and especially since
being selected for this appointment, I have deepened that knowledge
considerably – I have a way to go, but I know you will all help me with
that.
It is an extraordinary privilege for
anyone, but especially for a Royal Marine, to be appointed as Governor
and Commander in Chief. Our existences have more or less coincided over
time and many events have been shared. And the timing could not be
better: next year is the 350th anniversary of the formation in 1664 of
the Admiral’s Regiment, that later became the Royal Marines, and the
310th anniversary of the capture of Gibraltar by British and Dutch
marines in 1704. Gibraltar is the only battle honour that we wear on
our Colours and crest – it is on the cap badge of every marine. It was
one of my Companies when I was commanding 40 Commando in 1996 that
represented the Corps when you granted us the Freedom of the City, 8
years before you granted it to the Royal Navy; I always enjoy reminding
my naval colleagues of that! That very special and enduring
relationship is hugely important to the Royal Marines and, I think, to
Gibraltar and its people.
I arrive here at a difficult time
when the number, scale and character of incursions into British
Gibraltar Territorial Waters is significantly up, and when the delays to
cross the border are unacceptably long (indeed, amounting to
harassment): a situation made worse by the illogicality and random
nature of their imposition – situations that simply should not exist
between 2 friendly nations that belong to the same political and
economic organisation, the EU, and to the same military organisation,
NATO. But Gibraltar has experienced these things before – indeed much
worse at various times in our history – 15 sieges I believe, and with
the distinction of being the only remaining territory on the continent
of Europe that remained in Allied hands in World War 2. So we all know
that these things only serve to strengthen the resolve and determination
of the people and the Governments. I say ‘Governments’, because in my
reading into the history, I do not think that there has ever been a
period when the support of the British Government has been stronger, or
so openly expressed. It is now repeated so often that at first I did
wonder if it was really necessary for me to again repeat the assurances
on sovereignty, but as the new Governor I think I should. The
Constitution is clear ‘Her Majesty’s Government will never enter into
arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the
sovereignty of another State against their freely, and democratically
expressed, wishes.’ Furthermore, Britain has also declared, publicly
and repeatedly, that ‘it would never even enter a process of negotiation
with Spain about the sovereignty of the Rock without Gibraltar’s
permission.’ Whatever may have happened in the past, even in the
relatively recent past, there can be no doubt or fear by any of us that
that commitment would, or could, be breached.
The sovereignty case is rock solid –
indisputable – non-negotiable, and applies just as strongly to the
territorial waters. We occupy the moral high ground on this issue and
also on decolonisation: whatever arguments may continue to occur over
the fine detail of the decolonisation case within the context of the UN,
no reasonable person could claim that Gibraltar is a colony of the UK.
I have often found in many situations that it helps to apply the
‘common sense’ test – step back from the legal and administrative
minutiae – and apply common sense. Nobody applying that test could say
that the UK has not taken full account of the wishes of the people of
Gibraltar – self-determination certainly rules here. So, despite all
the irritations and inconveniences, we are 100% sure of the rightness of
our position and Britain and Gibraltar are in lock-step on this.
Equally good news is the strength of
the economic situation here, in a business friendly environment, with
all the advantages of EU membership and full compliance. I mentioned
earlier my various short visits, but I did spend a longer period here in
the early 90s on a joint force command post exercise, and again in 2004
as Commandant General Royal Marines at the 300th Anniversary. This
city has made remarkable strides, certainly very noticeable since my
visit in the early 90s. Of course we should never be complacent: none of
the pillars of this economy (or indeed any economy) are immune to
reverses and the potential effects are obviously magnified in a small
economy. But there are clever, well qualified and experienced people
who are managing this, looking for further diversification opportunities
and looking to the medium and long term to ensure that the current
situation is sustainable.
I referred earlier to the
relationship between two (in fact it is 3) European entities. It is
self-evident, but nonetheless important to reiterate that there is no
value for anyone – least of all Gibraltar – in a poor relationship
between Britain and Spain or between Gibraltar and Spain. Good
neighbourly relations between the 3 of us are truly a ‘win-win’, indeed a
‘win-win-win’ situation. Against the background that I have described,
of the rock solid relationship with Britain, and our shared belief in
the certainty of our case, we can, indeed we must, talk to Spain about
the many local issues that are reducing the quality of life, not only
here in Gibraltar, but even more so for the Spaniards living just across
the border. Talking is crucial, and I hope that the ad hoc talks can
start soon, not least as a demonstration of goodwill and a shared desire
to progress. We remain absolutely ready to talk – but there has to be
somebody to talk to!
Most of my working life (37 years)
was spent in uniform and most of the last 10 years of that involved with
the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As well as that very valuable
experience I have spent the last 3 ½ years working in a completely
different area for the US construction and engineering firm, Bechtel.
For the last 2 ½ years I have been heading up their project in Gabon in
West Africa where we established an agency to coordinate much needed
infrastructure development. Obviously Gibraltar is nothing like Gabon,
but I do believe that the commercial experience I gained there can
assist me here in better understanding how Gibraltar operates. Liz and I
are looking forward to getting to know all Gibraltarians and to be
further educated on every aspect of life here: even if things do not
concern me in my constitutional position, they most certainly interest
me, and I will be keen to hear about them. I have met and conversed at
length with 6 former Governors – Chapple, Luce, Durie, Richards and
Fulton, and of course my immediate predecessor – all different
characters, from different backgrounds, but with one thing at least in
common: they all fell in love with Gibraltar and its people and all
still have many local connections. I just know that it is going to be
the same for Liz and I – and we are both hugely looking forward to it.
And now I am delighted to be able to
conclude with a message from Her Majesty the Queen, who has asked me to
convey Her support for the people of Gibraltar and Her continuing best
wishes.
We will see if Our New Governor puts actions to the words that many have said before him and which the FCO and UK government have and continue to say!
We hope that His Excellency will stop the illegal incursions by the Spanish Paramilitary Guardia Civils and will do more to protect the integrity of our British Gibraltar Territorial Waters!
Sir James Dutton Gibraltar welcomes you Photo courtesy John Bell - Young
To our Excellency we say - We welcome you but we do not want more words we want more action and more accountability from You, FCO and the UK Government!
The Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar is the representative of the British monarch in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The Governor is appointed by the British Monarch on the advice of the British Government. The role of the Governor is to act as the de facto head of state, and he or she is responsible for formally appointing the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, along with other members of the Government of Gibraltar after a general election. The Governor also has sole responsibility for defence and security.The incumbent Governor is Lieutenant General Sir James Dutton having taken office on 6 December 2013.[1] To date there has been no female Governor of Gibraltar, other than in an acting position.
The Governor has his own flag in Gibraltar, the Union Flag defaced with the territory's coat of arms. However, at his official residence (The Convent), the Union flag and the flag of Gibraltar are also flown.
We will hold you accountable for all the security that you must provide for Gibraltar, sea and air and land!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Gibraltar
Anne-Marie Struggles
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