Monday 3 August 2015

Governor calls on Spanish authorities to acknowledge "gravity" of incursion

Governor calls on Spanish authorities to acknowledge "gravity" of incursion

We will keep adding the pressure that is needed so that the people in Gibraltar do not have to fear using their pleasure boats or swimming in our waters!

The UK Government and the FCO keep trying to downplay the incursions as they reiterate they are not acts of war!

Although we agree the incursions may not be acts of war - what do you call them instead?

Whatever one chooses to call them, they are both illegal and dangerous.

We welcome the statement from Sir James Dutton that clearly leaves no doubt on the seriousness of these incursions!

Now this is the sort of statement that we expect from Our Governor and Ex-Royal Marine!

But what we need is action not words!

The questions we must ask is - why didn't  the RGP or the Royal Navy make an arrest?

Who is stopping them? THE FCO say it is up to RGP? But is it really? What is going on behind the scenes that we do not know about?

This incursion is a clear violation so how can you expect people to respect the laws if those who break it from another country are not made to face the consequences of their acts!

*************************************

Courtesy www.gbc.gi


Video Footage of the incursions - https://youtu.be/jHLS4NKtHCk


The Governor, Sir James Dutton, has called on the Spanish authorities to acknowledge the gravity of the actions of the crew of a Spanish state vessel that carried out an incursion into Gibraltar Waters on Saturday, and to take all necessary steps to ensure there is no repetition. Meanwhile the Government says this is another glaringly obvious example of a Spanish state vessel attempting to assert its authority well-inside our territorial limits. 
In a statement, Number Six confirms that at around six thirty on Saturday afternoon the Spanish Customs vessel, 'Aguila IV', chased a Gibraltar-registered pleasure boat within British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, and inside the demarcated buoys at Camp Bay. The vessel was about one nautical mile off Europa Point when it was circled by the SVA launch and the occupants, who claim to have been fishing at the time, asked to produce documentation. They took refuge in the area of Camp Bay and called for help.
The Spanish patrol boat returned to Spain when the RGP, GDP and Royal Navy launches arrived and warnings were read. The Spanish authorities claimed the pleasure boat had been off Estepona and failed to stop when asked to do so. The pleasure craft was escorted to the Marine Base where the occupants said they'd run away for fear of being boarded.
Acting Chief Minister, Doctor Joseph Garcia said: "It could hardly be clearer that the vessel had no jurisdiction to operate at Europa Point and even less a few metres from a beach at Camp Bay." He adds that quite apart from the serious political issues, the incident also raises the dangers of a state vessel operating within a demarcated bathing area.

This view has been echoed by the Governor, who has expressed serious concern about the incident. Sir James Dutton says the manoeuvres carried out by the Spanish vessel just metres from the shoreline were irresponsible and dangerous, as well as unlawful. He says they presented a significant risk to the safety of the public, adding that under no circumstances should Spanish vessels be provoking a situation that could result in serious injury or a fatality.
Sir James says that while the UK's sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters is not affected by such incursions, their repeated occurrence is nevertheless unlawful and unacceptable. He confirms that the British Government will be protesting this latest incident directly with the Spanish Government.






*****************************************
The Opposition have stated:

not enough" done by British Government to ensure incursions cease

The Opposition says the incursion on Saturday had all the hallmarks of a potential tragedy. It points out it happened when Camp Bay was full of bathers enjoying what is supposed to be a safe area. The opposition believes the incident illustrates that not enough is being done by the British Government to ensure these illegal activities cease. It believes it is obvious that any diplomatic pressure being exerted is having little effect and that sooner or later there will be a tragic accident.
Opposition Leader Daniel Feetham asks whether the British Government would tolerate these repeated incursions off the Coast of Portsmouth, when UK residents were being put at risk.The defence of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, he says, is a matter for the British Government and not our local law enforcement agencies.
The Opposition says it stands squarely behind the law enforcement agencies on this issue, adding they do a very difficult job in difficult circumstances. It adds that as with lobbying in Spain, attendance at the UN and the Brexit Referendum, the Opposition is prepared to work with the Government
Photo below - courtesy YGYV

****************************************************************************
Defenders of Gibraltar do a lot of campaigning behind the scenes to help raise the awareness of the issues we face.
We will continue until such time as the Foreign office and the UK Government do what is our right and their responsibility - Defend British Gibraltar Territorial Waters!
***************************************************
Below is one of our recent outcome as captured by GBC News

Courtesy of www,gbc.gi - http://www.gbc.gi/news/foreign-office-tells-defenders-gibraltar-incursions-are-not-acts-war-30158

The Foreign Office has written to the Defenders of Gibraltar, after the Group highlighted Incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.  In the letter, it says, the British Government, from the prime Minister down, is working extremely hard to protect and assert the rights of Gibraltar and Gibraltarians in the EU and broader International contexts.  
It reiterates the naval mission is constantly assessed, adding it does not rule out any measures that are necessary to defend Gibraltar from a genuine threat to its security or defence.  However, it goes on to say, it remains the British Government's view that the maritime incursions we have seen so far, carry no such threat and although a violation of sovereignty and a misguided attempt to assert Spain's longstanding claim that the waters around Gibraltar are Spanish,-they are not acts of war or military aggression.  It adds it's the Foreign Office's assessment that the current MOD resource in Gibraltar is equal to its tasking.
The Group has also highlighted Saturdays incident.
A copy of the correspondence may  be viewed below:
SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST
HI
Firstly thank you for your reply. However, we have to raise that yet again yesterday we had another dangerous incursion in our Bathing areas. Please contact our Governor for more information.
My question to you all is - Will you all wait for a death before you actually take action? The incursion commenced off Europa POint with our locals using their pleasure boats and ended up on our shorelines on our western side.
THE Spanish SVA actually entered the demarcated swimming areas! THis is yet another dangerous act of breaking our laws!
By the time the RGP and the Naval Gibraltar Squadron arrived, they had already endangered the lives of those on the pleasure boats and the swimmers! Remember that before they entered the bathing area the navy squadron had already given them radio warnings to leave Gibraltar Territorial Waters! But they did not go out until the issue escalated to the beaches on the western side!
We are all now extremely worried on the amount of incursions and the lack of actions by you all. DO we have to be afraid to use our own pleasure boats and go swimming in our waters because none of you want to do the right thing?
We are not asking for a war - but we are demanding protection! This is our right!
Please ensure some action is done before we have a death and you will all be held responsible for the negligence in this matter!
I hope to hear some plan of action from you despite it is summer break!
Thank you
Anne-Marie Struggles
Chairperson for Defenders of Gibraltar
 31 JULY 2015 
Dear Ms Struggles,
Thank you for your email of 5th July about incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW). I have been asked to reply as a member of the Gibraltar Team at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London.
The UK Government, from the Prime Minister down, is working extremely hard to protect and assert the rights of Gibraltar and Gibraltarians in the EU and broader international contexts. The Government remains unreservedly resolute in its commitment never to enter into arrangements under which UK sovereignty over Gibraltar would pass to another State against the wishes of the people of Gibraltar, and not to enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content. This “double-lock” on sovereignty is the keystone of our policy on Gibraltar.
Unlawful incursions into BGTW, are an unacceptable violation of British sovereignty and we protest them as such to the government of Spain.
The Royal Gibraltar Police are responsible for upholding the law in BGTW while the Royal Navy is responsible for upholding sovereignty over BGTW. Both the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron and the Royal Gibraltar Police will continue to carry out their responsibilities within BGTW, responding to any incidents as appropriate including challenging unlawful maritime incursions within BGTW.
The naval mission, its assets and people required to deliver it are re assed on regular basis, so that responsibilities can be carried out effectively. We do not rule out any measures that are necessary to defend Gibraltar from a genuine threat to its security or defence.
However, it remains the Government’s view that the maritime incursions we have seen so far have carried no such threat. Although they are a violation of sovereignty - and a misguided attempt to assert Spain’s longstanding claim that the waters around Gibraltar are Spanish - they are not acts of war or military aggression. And they do not weaken or undermine the legal basis for British sovereignty over Gibraltar, including BGTW. It is also our assessment that the current MoD resource in Gibraltar is equal to our tasking (though this is subject to continuous review).
We stand ready to do whatever is required to protect Gibraltar’s sovereignty, economy and security. We believe that it is in the interests of Spain, Gibraltar and the United Kingdom to avoid incidents such as this that damage the prospects for establishing dialogue and cooperation.
Yours sincerely,
Mediterranean Department 
5TH JULY
Dear SIr/ Madam
Please pass on this letter to the following people:
The Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham
The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP
The Rt Hon David Lidington MP
The Rt Hon Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE
James Duddridge MP
Tobias Ellwood MP
We would like to raise our concern on the lack of action on defending the Gibraltar from the constant incursions by Spanish Paramilitary Guardia Civil and the State research vessels.
This is not the first time and you have the statistics of this year alone!
We are outraged by the lack of action and we would like to know why this lack of action in protecting the Integrity of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.
I attach the photos taken of the recent one but I invite you to view our blog to keep up to date to your lack of action and the consequences of that!
Are you waiting for an accident or a death at sea? We will hold you account to any loss of life or injury caused to the non protective action you have continued to stand for.
Gibraltar deserves to be protected and we are not 3rd class British citizens.
Listen to the recent incursion the audio is clear and the probe hit the Royal Navy Rhib!
You are failing!
We ask you take action now and we would like a response as soon as possible.
Kind Regards
Anne-Marie Struggles
Chairperson
Defenders of Gibraltar Group
**What

*********

***** 

Sunday 2 August 2015

Spanish Authorities enter Gibraltar waters within the demarcated swimming areas!

Spanish Authorities enter Gibraltar waters within the demarcated swimming areas!


Yes once again we have the Spanish authorities trying to assert authority in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters!

Courtesy of a friend















This is a serious incident! Are we going to wait for a death to happen!

Incursion into BGTW: "Unacceptable and Unwarranted." The Governor personally discusses an "appropriate diplomatic response" with London.

So what will the action be by our Governor and FCO and our Government? WORDS, WORDS and MORE WORDS!

Words mean nothing! Words with action do!

It is about time that Spanish authority vessels are captured and arrested and let it go to the international courts!

Doing nothing but words is going to lead to an accident or worse a death!

Below is one video capturing this incursion!

https://youtu.be/jHLS4NKtHCk

Another video 

- https://www.facebook.com/100005350545096/videos/o.266886966744455/423824807805867/?type=2&theater



GBC news reports.. www.gbc.gi 

'Serious' Incursion by Spanish SVA: Governor takes it up with London

The Governor is discussing with London an appropriate diplomatic response to an incursion by a Spanish State vessel on Saturday afternoon.  Sir James Dutton says he's followed the reports of the incident closely and has been fully briefed by both the Royal Gibraltar Police and the Royal Navy.   He's told GBC, it's clear that this has been  an "unacceptable and unwarranted" incursion into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters by a Spanish State Vessel.  The Foreign Office will also be making representations to London and Madrid.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Sunday, the Government said: " This is another glaringly obvious example of a Spanish state vessel attempting to assert its authority well inside our territorial limits."
The Statement from Number Six confirms that at around six thirty on Saturday afternoon, the Spanish Customs vessel, 'Aguila IV', chased a Gibraltar-registered pleasure boat within British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, and inside the demarcated buoys at Camp Bay.  
The pleasure boat, had been stationed about one nautical mile off Europa point, when it was circled by the SVA, and the occupants, who claim to have been fishing, asked to produce documentation. It took refuge in the area of Camp Bay and called for assistance.  
The SVA launch returned to Spain when the RGP, GDP and Royal Navy launches arrived and warnings were read. The Spanish Authorities claimed the pleasure boat had been off Estepona and had failed to stop when asked to do so.
The pleasure craft was escorted to the Marine Base where the occupants said they'd run away for fear of being boarded. 
Acting Chief Minister, Doctor Joseph Garcia says: " It could hardly be clearer that the vessels had no jurisdiction to operate at Europa Point and even less a few metres from a beach at Camp Bay."  He adds that quite apart from the serious political issues, the incident also raises the dangers of a state vessel operating within a demarcated bathing area.
*********
Eyewitnesses report Spanish Servicio Vigilancia Aduanera
launch giving chase to pleasure craft inside buoys in Rosia 
Bay.
Also MR KR states his opinion on Social Media
To say that I am BEYOND INCENSED is the UNDERSTATEMENT of my 37 year old Gibraltarian life!
Guardia Civil (That's Spanish paramilitary) have this afternoon not just BREACHED INTERNATIONAL LAW by coming into British Gibraltar WATERS BUT ALSO Breached LOCAL LAW by having their patrol vessel coming into an area designated for SWIMMERS ONLY (with the dangers that accompany a fast launch coming into an area heavily populated with swimmers in a beach in Gibraltar on an August Summer's day at peak time), and acting like they have jurisdiction in British Gibraltar!!!!!!!!!

How VERY DARE THEY!
They dare so because the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, under which Gibraltar and our Security comes under, have ALLOWED THEM TO by ALLOWING HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF BREACHES AND INCURSIONS into BRITISH GIBRALTAR WATERS for the past few years.
They dare so, because the CONVENT, seat of the Governor, HM The Queen's Rep in Gibraltar HAS FAILED to PRESSURE the FCO INTO ACTION.
They DARE SO because OUR Government HAS FAILED TO PRESSURE the CONVENT into putting on the PRESSURE on the FCO.
They dare so, because the British Government, the FCO and the Convent have been laughing in our faces, treating us like FOOLS, DISRESPECTING US - THE GIBRALTARIANS all for the sake of keeping GOOD RELATIONS with SPAIN, a HOSTILE NATION that OPTS TO BULLY the GIBRALTARIANS on the basis that we ARE and HAVE CHOSEN to REMAIN BRITISH.
My question - with so many lawyers in Parliament, quien va ser el guapo o la guapa who will bother to sit down, analyse the situation, and prepare a LEGAL CHALLENGE AGAINST THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT for NEGLECTING THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY to PROTECT Gibraltar and ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR Gibraltar's SECURITY????? Doing so will NOT make us any LESS British if anyone is worried of that - it is merely calling on them for FAILING US!
Aqui que somos tontos o que pasa???? If this were the 70s or 80s, Gibraltarians would have taken to the street to demonstrate!!!! WHY ARE WE ALLOWING OURSELVES to be TREATED like Second Class, or worse, FOOLS???!! I don't know about the rest, but I certainly don't like it when I am treated like a FOOL! (See David Cameron's national Day Message and also HM Queen's Message about Security in Gibraltar).
Our ANCESTORS who FOUGHT SO MUCH WOULD BE SO ASHAMED RIGHT NOW!
Perhaps, since our Nation ranks so well in terms of finance, we SHOULD start PAYING FOR OUR OWN SECURITY?!
@KevGibraltar 

Republished on Speak Freely and also via @KevGibraltar. 

RAISING the GIBRALTARIAN VOICE WHEN WE ARE DISRESPECTED!
*********************************************************************
Gibraltar Government Press Release
BREAKING PRESS RELEASE FROM No6: SPANISH STATE VESSEL IN CAMP BAY
A serious incursion took place yesterday evening when a Spanish state vessel attempted to assert its authority, not only inside BGTW, but within a few metres of the shoreline.At around 1830, a Spanish customs vessel (SVA), the Aguila IV, chased a Gibraltar-registered pleasure boat within BGTW and inside the demarcated buoys at Camp Bay. 
The pleasure boat had been stationary about 1 nautical mile off Europa Point when it was circled by the SVA which had approached from the Bay making its way past the North Mole.It had earlier been given the UNCLOS warning over radio and did not respond.
When approached by launches from RGP and GDP and by a Navy RHIB, the crew of the Spanish vessel claimed that, earlier, the pleasure boat had been off Estepona and had failed to stop when asked to do so.
Having been informed that it had no jurisdiction inside BGTW, the Aguila IV was then escorted into Spanish waters. The two occupants of the pleasure boat later claimed when questioned that they were fishing off Europa Point when the SVA vessel had requested their documentation. They had moved into Camp Bay and called for assistance.
'This is another glaringly obvious example of a Spanish state vessel attempting to assert its authority well inside our territorial limits. It could hardly be clearer that the vessel had no jurisdiction to operate at Europa Point and even less just a few metres from a beach at Camp Bay,' said the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia. 'Quite apart from the serious political issues raised by this matter, it is also dangerous for a state vessel to operate in this way inside a demarcated bathing area. This is illegal in the face of internationally-recognised Laws of the Sea.'
**********************************************************************
(Photo courtesy Tania Pereira.)

This should not be allowed! Wake up Gibraltar! Before it is too late and one of our own is injured or die!

As reported by another Social Media Post Vadar Boats
Today's chase!! I saw 3 or 4 boats fishing just of europa point, all of a sudden the Augila IV (spanish aduana boat) started to approach one of the local fishing boats in the area at a very high speed, for what i saw the to men onboard the local fishing boat got intimidated by the Augila IV and started making way to a safe haven in the bay of Gibraltar. Augila IV continued intimidating the local fishing boat even inside the saftey bouys at camp bay.
 I was meters away from the local fishing boat at the scene at camp bay and it was clear that it was only two lads who were trying to enjoy a peaceful day out at sea fishing and totaly spoiled by the Spanish authorities in British Gibraltar Waters!!!

Do we have to be afraid to use our pleasure boats in 
our  own waters?

Why is the FCO so adamant to only send paper protests? - 
we want action and we want it now!

I guess getting the Queen to visit Spain is more 

important than the lives of the British people in 

Gibraltar!

How ignorant are the FCO and the UK Government on 

the issues affecting Gibraltar!

How can they think - EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Will an old queen and a young king be able to heal the festering UK/Spain dispute over Gibraltar?

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-3178086/EPHRAIM-HARDCASTLE-old-queen-young-king-able-heal-festering-UK-Spain-dispute-Gibraltar.html#ixzz3hesowJAd
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

The problem with SPAIN and Gibraltar is that UK does 
nothing to stop the bully that SPAIN is! A bully only 
stops when you force the boundaries and they suffer 
the consequences!

AMS

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Queues to enter Gibraltar - 7:30am The queue to come into Gibraltar!

Queues to enter Gibraltar - 7:30am The queue to come into Gibraltar.


A new day but unfortunately a bad start to the day for cross frontier workers who walk into Gibraltar from Spain. Many fearing to be late - all due to t he political inadequacies of a Spanish Government who are full intent in causing queues while they test their technology.

Pic below courtesy DB
THIS IS THE STRANGLEHOLD SPAIN CONTINUES TO HAVE ON US....
THEY ARE LEGALLY ENTITLED TO BORDER CONTROLS BECAUSE GIB IS NOT IN SCHENGEN & CUSTOMS UNION
UK IS NOT IN SCHENGEN BUT YES IN CUSTIMS UNION.
UK IS AN ISLAND AND SCHENGEN WORKS WELL FOR UK
BUT GIB CANNOT REMAIN OUT OF SCHENGEN.



Pic below from Social Media groups


AS you all know the Police and Guardia Civil are already complaining of being short-staffed! How can that be? Were the Government and leaders not aware that this was going to happen? Were they not aware of having to increase the man power to deal with this technology that they have imposed on themselves?


Believe you me they have known - do know and have planned it to be - that is to cause as much of a disruption as possible! To cause as much inconvenience as they can. But it will get worse - wait until they start on bicycles, motorcycles and all vehicles soon!

Even those sympathisers who use the example of queues in UK airports when you travel - you know it is wrong! There is no reason for this as we are talking about very few visitors or tourists but rather about continuous crossings of people who live in Spain but work in Gibraltar.

Spain wants to capture - and rightly so those who live there and pay no taxes! But please do not use the frontier for that - do what every other EU country is doing - sign an agreement with Gibraltar Government to exchange information!


But they will not as they are only pretending to care - they want Gibraltar to be theirs - that is the bottom line and do not be blinded by the lies!

We will not give in to workers leaving Gibraltar in a special queue that discriminates against locals and tourist - especially with many elderly- children and vulnerable people!


So if Spain is trying to pressure the EU to pressure our Government to allow a queue just for cross frontier workers- they better think again!

Defenders of Gibraltar will stand up against any discrimination or favouritism at the expense of all other people who are just as important to our ECONOMY - OUR TOURISTS! 

To the Spanish Government and the EU I ask that you show more humanity towards people by testing the new technology at a better time to cause least inconvenience to people and above all increase your staffing levels!

Special thanks to JF for the photos!

Anne-Marie Struggles

Monday 27 July 2015

Queues continue to be created in the heat by Spain while they test the new Technology at the busiest times!

Queues continue to be created in the heat by Spain while they test the new Technology at the busiest times!


The Spanish Government have ordered the testing of the new technology to be done at the busiest time for Cross Frontier Workers walking to work and back home .

This is now affecting not only tourists which is vital to our economy but now cross frontier workers and locals who want to either go to work or go to Spain for July Fair in La Linea.

Below is the pic taken at night.

This is not right - these queues are not seen in UK airports or the entrance and exit from France to Dover!

The excuse that UK is not in Schenghen is not acceptable. 

Enough excuses and the EU need to stand up and take note just like our UK Government must!




*********************
YGTV - http://www.yourgibraltartv.com/politics/9746-jul-27-government-spain-causes-maximum-disruption-at-border

Jul 27 ­ Government: “Spain Causes Maximum Disruption At Border” Monday, 27 July 2015 20:13 The Gibraltar Office in Brussels has today been asked to relay information to the European Commission on the latest pedestrian delays at the border caused by the introduction of an Automated Border Control system on the Spanish side. Number Six says that these systems are designed to improve the fluidity of traffic across borders adding that “they are not meant to make things worse.” The Government received initial reports that the Policia Nacional started testing the new system on 16 July at around 12 noon. This created a queue of about 30 minutes for persons to enter Gibraltar on foot. Given the problem, at around 2pm on that day the Spanish authorities ended the tests. These problems arose again at the end of last week when the Policia Nacional started testing the system again. 
The problem, argues the Government, is that they chose to do so at peak time for persons exiting Gibraltar creating delays of up to an hour in the process. This caused considerable disruption to many people, including the elderly and children, who were stuck in a queue to enter Spain in over 30 degrees of heat. The Government has described the scenes at the border as “shocking and unacceptable.” The tests continued over the weekend and caught up people who were going to the fair in La Linea on their way out of Gibraltar, and again in the early hours when they returned home 27/07/2015 Jul 27 ­ Government: “Spain Causes Maximum Disruption At Border” http://www.yourgibraltartv.com/politics/9746­jul­27­government­spain­causes­maximum­disruption­at­border 2/6 from the fair. This morning a 30 minute delay started at 7.40am which affected workers and others coming into Gibraltar. Number Six says that, whilst these have been more recent developments, it should be remembered that, over a period of months, the Spanish authorities also failed to notify Gibraltar in a timely manner of the border changes to their infrastructure, traffic lanes and vehicle checks. In short, says the Government, “they have chosen not to behave as European partners once again.” Commenting on the latest disruption at the border, the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia said: “The arrival of the tourist season once again coincides with disruption and delays at the border generated by the Spanish authorities. This time it is the manner in which Spain has chosen to implement its infrastructure changes that has caused the problem. This is a serious political problem but it also has a very real human dimension. There are thousands of people who live in Spain and who work in Gibraltar who are once again being caught up in these unacceptable delays. Those affected also includes tourists. The irony is that the majority of those affected are Spanish citizens and that it is their own Government that is inflicting this hardship upon them. “In normal circumstances, is only to be expected that such a major change, which affects thousands of people every day, would at the very least have been the subject of a public information campaign on the part of Spain in order to create awareness among those persons who cross the border on a daily basis. This has not happened which means that the element of surprise has served to compound an already serious situation. “The Government will continue to expose Spanish actions at the border for as long as it is necessary. A fuller report, with photographs, statistics and media cuttings will follow what has already been sent to Brussels.”

*****************************************

GBC.gi

Government to complain to European Commssion about latest pedestrian border queues

The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Joseph Garcia, will be complaining to the European Commission about the latest pedestrian queues caused by Spain’s new electronic gates. Last week electronic passport readers were introduced at the frontier and this has been causing delays.
With Spanish authorities testing the new security equipment at the frontier, during peak queuing times, pedestrian queues built up to an hour waiting time on Monday morning.
The new electronic gates are part of Spain’s commitment to reduce queues following the European Commission’s recommendations last year. Pedestrians are requested to scan EU Compliant electronic passports or ID cards, their fingerprints, and use face recognition technology.
According to a Number Six press release, the manner in which the Spanish Government is implementing its new system seems to be designed to cause as much disruption as possible.
Last Thursday saw the worst pedestrian queues so far this summer, with tailbacks reaching back to the former airport terminal in scorching temperatures.




*****************************************

Source Gibraltar Chronicle

GOVT REPORTS ‘LONG QUEUES’ TO EU

 The Gibraltar Government has included the long queues of Thursday afternoon at the frontier in its latest report to the EU. This was confirmed by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia yesterday who said the report will be presented “in order to draw attention to the manner in which the Spanish government is implementing the recommendations made by the commission”.

“The effects of these seem to be designed to cause as much disruption as possible,” added Dr Garcia.The picture shows the extent of the queue at the border on Thursday afternoon. 


The queues which started on Thursday early afternoon began when the new passport e-gates at the frontier going into Spain became operational. At one point the waiting time was as long as 40 minutes in the heat of the afternoon, but there were reports of some people having to wait up to an hour and the queues lasting late into the evening.

There were no queues reported yesterday.

Meanwhile the reports to the EU by the Gibraltar Government are sent periodically and also carry photographic evidence.

In a statement last night the Government said that whilst the Spanish authorities may claim that they were merely testing new security equipment at the frontier, the Gibraltar Government will stress that the equipment was being tested just at the time which would cause the maximum disruption.

“The main impact of the delays was on persons who work in Gibraltar and who live in Spain, including many thousands of Spanish workers who commute in and out of Gibraltar every day, as well on people coming to Gibraltar on a tourism visit or on business,” said Dr Garcia adding that the consequence of the new systems being conducted by the Spanish authorities on pedestrians was felt particularly strongly by the elderly, young children and disabled persons in wheelchairs who were made to wait to cross the border from Gibraltar into Spain.

SPANISH INTERIOR MINISTER

Meanwhile Europa Press yesterday said Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz had visited the port of Algeciras on Thursday to see at first hand the new intelligence system in place.

Commenting on the new operation at the border he explained how following the recommendations of the European Union, the Spanish Government had installed the system “to facilitate the transit of people and vehicles to Gibraltar.”

He told Europa Press: “it is operating normally and one hundred percent.”

He further explained that the system had first come into play at the border earlier than the commitment made by Spain to the EU.

He explained there were 13 booths installed in the area.

Fernandez Diaz insisted its operation was” operating a hundred percent” and that had been made “before the agreed term.”
**************************************


Source from Panorama.
Spanish National Police complain of under staffing at frontier - and warn Spanish Govt of conflict
July 27, 2015
The Spanish National Police are complaining of under staffing at the frontier and are warning the Spanish Government of the conflicts that could arise unless the matter is urgently rectified.
It follows what the Gibraltar Government itself has described as “disgraceful scenes” at the frontier last Thursday when, in temperatures above 35 degrees, long pedestrian queues ensued all the way back to the runway control barrier.
The Spanish National Police are in an oblique way effectively being supportive of what Gibraltar has witnessed. It is said that the Spanish director-general for the police had ordered that all the new filters at the frontier, 13 in total, be introduced forthwith, coinciding with a visit to the port of Algeciras by the Spanish interior minister as a similar ‘intelligent frontier’ system has been got going there as well.
But the police at the La Linea frontier are incensed that the go-ahead has been given without proper staffing. They say that 15 police officers are required at the frontier for the new system to work properly, when only seven per shift are in operation.
In order to ameliorate the problem, police were urgently sent to the frontier from other units operating in La Linea, with the consequent depletion of essential services elsewhere.
The National Police at the frontier say they are suffering great stress given the circumstances under which they are expected to operate, which requires an urgent response from their relevant authorities including the interior ministry.
What is known to the Spanish as the ‘intelligent frontier’ system is officially known by its English name, which is Automatic Border System.
Spanish police are also complaining that this new system is being introduced without any type of information being provided to frontier users who daily cross the frontier.
One of two Spanish police unions also says that the A.B.C. system has been provided by a Portuguese company which has given them only one talk of some 2 hours explaining how the system works, with some of them claiming that they could not understand what it was all about as the person giving the talk was not too conversant with the Spanish language.
It would appear that neither the police nor the public, have been fully briefed about the new system.
Further, it could be that the system was suddenly given the go-ahead because the Spanish interior minister was in the area, as it turned out the minister visited the installations in the Algeciras port but did not bother to go to the La Linea frontier. It may have been too close to comfort to Gibraltar!
It could well be that, with the minister no longer in sight, the Spanish National Police headquarters in Madrid might tell La Linea to go back to normal and await further instructions. . .time will tell what exactly is going on. . .but certainly it is not as easy as A.B.C.
27-07-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR

*******************************************

Where is the EU now - so much for the EU visits of the Commission and the EU JUstice! When will they learn that Spain is only after Gibraltar and will do anything to cause bad propaganda and try to damage our economy! 

Well SPAIN you will have to continue to wait as we will remain British forever!

Gerald Struggles

Thursday 23 July 2015

Spain creates a queue in 35 degrees heat to start testing and using the new Frontier ID and Passports egates!

35 degrees and hundreds standing for over an hour in the pedestrian queue!


We are all for the new supposedly better and more modern technology! But honestly does Spain have to choose the hottest time and days in Summer to test it?


The video is here - https://youtu.be/okM-FRo5RQo


They could have easily have began when the sun goes down and not like today from 3 - 7pm. The amount of people passing and in the scorching heat is just inhumane! This kind of behaviour should not go unnoticed by the Eu or UN Human Rights Watch.



As one cross frontier worker rightly states in Spanish

10 meses de obras para hacer la aduana mas transitable para que tenga que esperar 40 minutos antes de pasar por los escáneres donde por una habitación de 20 m2 por la que pasan 8000 personas me dan ganas de gritar del cuello de botella tan grande que se forma y nauseas por la falta de oxigenación .

Sucks.

**************

www.gbc.gi -

 http://www.gbc.gi/news/pedestrian-queues-spain-begins-testing-new-passport-e-gates-frontier-30091



Pedestrian queues at the border on Thursday evening were the worst yet this summer as Spanish border authorities have begun testing the new passport e-gates during peak queueing times.
The new electronic gates are part of Spain’s commitment to reduce queues following the European Commission’s recommendations last year. Pedestrians are requested to scan EU compliant electronic passports or ID cards, their fingerprints, and use face recognition technology.
Sources have told GBC the Spanish authorities have been testing the gates for the last few days, but today they are being tested at peak times for pedestrians, leading to tailbacks which have reached back to the former airport terminal.
Pedestrians have been reporting queues of up to an hour to cross the frontier.
***********************************************

Another commented on social media:

And here I thought that all the new reformes down at the frontier were to provide a better faster service but here I am in a pedestrian queue stretching back to the old airport terminal small children included


One other cross worker goes on to say:


Spain hates us. And all I do is go to work in Gibraltar to bring us the practice of the entirety of the salary to spend on the Spanish economy. You have to have bad milk in madrid to order this on some of the more days hot of the year. I am sorry for the business where I normally spending the money, when this happens, I spent on money in Gibraltar and I am out later.

España nos odia. Y lo unico que hacemos es ir a trabajar a Gibraltar para despues traernos la practica totalidad del sueldo para gastarlo en la economia Española. Hay que tener mala leche en Madrid para ordenar esto en unos de los dias mas calurosos del año. Lo siento por los negocios donde normalmente me gasto el dinero, cuando pasa esto, me gasto en dinero en Gibraltar y salgo luego.


***********

Yet Spanish Newspapers report all is up and running and working?

Really then how come people had to stand in the scorching heat for hours today while they did a test run! Can someone out there explain that they must treat people with respect and test the technology at the least inconvenient time and at the most humane time that does not have people suffering like today!


FRONTERA DE LA LÍNEA
En cuanto a la Frontera Inteligente de La Línea de la Concepción, explica el ministro que, atendiendo las recomendaciones de la Unión Europea, ha sido instalada por el Gobierno de España para facilitar el tránsito de personas y vehículos a Gibraltar. Afirma que "está operando con normalidad y al cien por cien".
Detalla que "la frontera ha entrado en vigor en un plazo anterior al que España se comprometió con la UE". Explica que son 13 las cabinas instaladas en la zona perteneciente al Estado español "y está permitiendo que hayamos cubierto el compromiso adquirido con las autoridades comunitarias".
Finalmente, Fernández Díaz insiste en que su funcionamiento es "operativo al cien por cien" y en que se ha logrado "antes del plazo comprometido".
Fernández Díaz visita el sistema de Fronteras Inteligentes en Algeciras. . Se trata de un nuevo sistema implantado para agilizar el paso fronterizo de viajeros
EUROPASUR.ES



Please we ask our UK Government to speak sense to Spanish Government to choose times when the sun is not a hazard to people standing in it - or will both governments only react when there is a death?

Remember the queues are for everyone and no-one is exempt - so workers and tourist and locals must join the same queue as that is the humane and just thing to do!

Anne-Marie Struggles