GIBRALTAR AND ITS PEOPLE; WHERE ARE WE GOING?

GIBRALTAR AND ITS PEOPLE; WHERE ARE WE GOING?

We in Gibraltar are a proud and courageous people, born on an invincible stone fortress which reaches out majestically from the sea like a Gothic cathedral. We are a principally Mediterranean people, who's ancestors came not only from European, African or Middle Eastern shores, but also much further afield. In effect, our forefathers traveled the world for a better life and were drawn in by the majesty of the rock. Though its land has always been unforgiving, it has always been of central importance to the trading routes of old. As such, Gibraltarians today are inherently entrepreneurial, a fact no doubt reflected in the economic successes of the Gibraltar of today.

Our strengths as a people have always been our diversity of religious and spiritual beliefs, our overpowering sense of community and justice, and most importantly, a love for this OUR Rock. It has enabled us to weather countless conflicts, the machinations of dictators and to drive us onto the path of further emancipation and self determination. In summary, Gibraltar and its people are unique – we have a lot to give to humanity, and I sincerely believe our time to shine will come; if only we are ready to embrace the opportunity when it presents itself.

Our weaknesses however, are what worry me the most. It is the singular reason which drove me to return to my homeland from my adventure to understand the world. Our greatest weakness is the recent underlying hypocrisy within our homeland that economic success and the maintenance of it, should depend upon placating the Kingdom of Spain by negotiating for what is ours by right. The idea that we should not talk too loudly of our rights being trampled on in case Spain reacts in a manner which affects our pockets, our weekend trips to Spain, or 'la vida buena' that we have. It is the idea that we should just come to terms with the oppressive tactics which emanate from successive Madrid Governments because nothing will ever change, because there is no political will or desire to hold Spain to account. It is an idea that I was told by a Gibraltarian politician who shall remain unnamed, which is:

“Gibraltar has always survived by flying under the radar”

It is an idea which I am intrinsically opposed to. The idea that one should cower to the bully, remain in the shadows for fear of what the bully can do. It is an idea that was forcefully opposed by our forefathers, who would have rather been reduced to sheer poverty than capitulate to the oppressor. Indeed our forefathers defiance of those who sought to ride roughshod over our rights is what brought us 13 years of a closed border and untold suffering, Franco's systematic attempt to wear down our collective will. I look back at that dark moment in our peoples history with sheer pride that regardless of the emotional, political and economic turmoil that ensued we stood as unmoving and as steadfast as our mother rock. We did not give in. It is what moulded us into who we are today.

But sadly, I can see that our will has slowly been eroded; through an osmosian strategy that seeks to diminish our national identity, equates continued economic prosperity as being reliant on the oppressor and the promotion of a care-less attitude in our people.

I personally will not bring shame upon those Gibraltarians of our past who stood fast against the tide, simply to negotiate for what are already our rights enshrined in the UN Charter as well as numerous EU and Human Rights directives, or for 'la vida buena'. On the contrary, I will in concert with others continue to highlight Spains continuing political oppression of our homeland to the wider world, in the hope that those who share our vision of democracy and freedom hold Spain to account on its actions. If you share this ideal, I humbly ask that you assist the Defenders of Gibraltar in holding Spain to account – we cannot do this alone.

One must never be afraid to speak out against injustice, even if you risk compounding it simply by speaking out. In this endeavour I am always reminded by Martin Luther King, who said that:

“Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle, the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

For those who doubt that the Defenders of Gibraltar will make any difference, I also point out something which Margaret Mead the cultural anthropologist once said:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

By Gareth Gingell
Chairperson and Spokesperson for the Defenders of Gibraltar

Spain's Hypocrisy!

Spain’s Hypocrisy 

Spain keeps on pushing their campaign which is the mistaken stance on Gibraltar. They keep trying to highlight we are a tax Haven and a country with a big drug smuggling issue. They try to highlight we have fraud issues and even go on still trying to stop us as a country and as a people to progress in the EU and with our sports. – Our football UEFA entrance is one of our biggest fights at the moment and we need everyone to support.

CONGRATS TO GFA: Excellent Sky interview by Dennis Beiso. Keep up the good work!

http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/8578830

We have our Government working hard to place us on an equal platform in the EU so we can stand up against the negative propaganda from Spain and to ensure we are aware of what is going on. We definitely need to have all our senses open on the going ons in the EU as we do not want Spain getting things on false pretensions and at our detriment. The latest saga being the EU ignorant of our rights and ignorant about the UNCLOS  and thus incorrectly giving Spain our waters as part of an environment protection! Gibraltar already has an office in the European Union’s political capital, but the scope of its activities is limited. Now, the government hopes to build on this initial foray and make Brussels a regular feature of its political calendar. 

The Gibraltar Government’s visit to Brussels last week and its plans to beef up its presence were welcomed by Sir Graham Watson, the Liberal Democrat MEP who has long championed the Rock’s cause in Europe. All this will definitely have a great impact on what other countries in the EU think of Gibraltar as it will be heard first hand. It is amazing what can be changed by taking EU directives seriously and thus we show how European we as a people are and thus remove all the negative propaganda as and when they arise in the EU.

We want Spain to respect our wishes and to recognise we have a VOICE, CHOICE and RIGHTS!

These are the comments attributed to a European Union spokesperson in which when asked about EU policy on the Falklands referendum he stated that it was an internal United Kingdom matter. Would be great it they could make a note of this as the same applies to Gibraltar. 

http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/ultimas/20-215732-2013-03-13.html

So, let us go back on the Hypocrisy of Spain as in the negative propaganda by the Spanish Government.

Spain try to continually highlight we are polluting our environment. Yet go the link below and you will see how hypocritical they are. If we didn't have enough with the pollution caused by the spanish refinery and other industrial plants in nearby Spain. Here’s an image of what has been inaugurated today in reclaimed land in the Port of Algeciras in the Bay of Gibraltar. Can you imagine if these new fuel storage facilities had been built in Gibraltar? We would have had all the Spanish environmentalists, their government and the European Union forcing us to dismantle the whole thing! I believe that OHL built these facilities.

http://www.europasur.es/article/maritimas/1488488/vopak/inaugura/hoy/isla/verde/su/terminal/para/almacenamiento/graneles/liquidos.html

 

Spain is adamant to stop us progressing even to decide our own self-determination – yet we all know how the Catalans are trying desperately to be independent and not part of Spain!

Now it looks like the Canary Islands are also speaking out that they are treated as a colony!

This is link to an Article from a website from the Canary Islands arguing the case for Independence for their Islands calling the occupation by the Spanish as ''nos esclaviza colonialmente'' The write up mentions Gibraltar and the Falklands and the fact that some Canary Islands ''immigrants'' in London demanded that Gibraltar and the Falklands be ''returned'' to Spain and Argentina respectively – which is so ignorant of them and hypocritical to live in LONDON!

.http://eldia.es/2013-03-24/CRITERIOS/21-Hemos-vivido-enganados-espanoles.htm

Drug Smuggling – quite remarkable that Spain try to picture Gibraltar as the SMUGGLING place and yet….

We all need to be aware of the number of serious drug trafficking incidents that have come to light these last few years, the great majority in Algeciras but in this time much nearer to us. According to the Spanish press a huge haul of cocaine (590 kilos) has been apprehended on board a yacht that sailed ''suspiciously’ ‘into the port of Sotogrande. One hand gun was also seized. Read about it.

 

http://www.diariodejerez.es/article/provincia/1487953/intervienen/kilos/coca/velero/sotogrande.html

 

 

Also watch Youtube video on this subject.http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7OTgVEFS_xA

So we know we cannot trust Spain on the information they give out about Gibraltar – so we will highlight the untruths each time they go on the media onslaught against us.

Remember we are not against the Spanish people but the way the Spanish Government attack, oppress us and bully us in any way they can!

Our Insecurities with UK

UK does not have a good record that shows they have been looking after us as a people and our country. They have broken our trust many times and now they have to earn our trust. Let us not forget when UK tried to sell us out! 

Blair signed 'secret deal' to hand over Gibraltar to Spain and end UK's 300-year control

Gibraltarians will never forget!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090845/Tony-Blair-signed-secret-deal-Gibraltar-Spain.html

Is Spain really a modern country with Democracy?

Spain tries to show they are a democracy yet they do not respect the rights of their people who wish to have independence like Catalunya people! They continue to make a claim on our land, air and sea when we have been British for over 300 years! I think they are as medieval as many of their practices - Spanish Minister of Justice, Gallardon who had Fraga (Franco's faithful Embassador to London and Minister) as his mentor awards 21 pardons to criminals currently held in Spanish prisons as requested by some of the ''Cofradias de la Semana Santa''.This sounds medieval don't you think?

http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/politica/noticias/4695714/03/13/El-Gobierno-concede-21-indultos-especiales-por-la-Semana-Santa.html

More anti Gibraltar campaign by Spanish media  - http://noticias.terra.es/buenos-dias/carrascal-me-han-pedido-corbatas-hasta-

para-casarse,6c75237fc68ad310VgnVCM4000009bcceb0aRCRD.html

We now have to be careful with the United Nations 

Falkland Islands (Malvinas) dispute tops talks between Ban and Latin American officials

 

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Foreign Ministers of Argentina, Cuba, Peru and Uruguay discussed the issue of the Falkland Islands yesterday. No participation from the Falkland Islanders or the UK?

Both the Falklands and Gibraltar have to be extra careful in the months and years to come as we are both being attacked from all sides!

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44503&Cr=falkland&Cr1

Anne-Marie Struggles