Spain stops aid from Gibraltar to Philippines and The Governor Sir James Dutton sailed into a stand-off in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters

Spain stops aid from Gibraltar to Philippines and The Governor Sir James Dutton sailed into a stand-off in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters


In aid of the Philippine Appeal ,Guardia civil have informed the freight company that they will not allow the container to go through the border with food which is going to help many in this appeal.


Daily Mail has covered the story

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2527688/Spain-accused-behaving-hateful-fashion-blocking-aid-typhoon-victims.html

Spain accused of behaving in a 'hateful fashion' after blocking aid for typhoon victims

• Spanish authorities stopped an aid truck from leaving Gibraltar
• Food, blankets and clothes were destined for typhoon Haiyan victims
• Tory MP Andrew Rosindell accuses officials of acting in a 'hateful fashion'

By Fergal Macerlean

A British MP has accused Spain of acting in a ‘hateful fashion’ after it stopped a truck loaded with aid for the victims of the Philippines typhoon from leaving Gibraltar.
The vehicle, carrying food, blankets and clothes, was heading to the Spanish port city of Algeciras, where its container was to have been loaded on to a ship bound for Manila.
The supplies had been collected by a Gibraltar charity at jumbles sales, and were to be given to families left homeless by Typhoon Haiyan.

Tory MP Andrew Rosindell has accused Spain of acting in a 'hateful fashion' after officials at the Gibraltar border blocked a truck filled with aid from leaving

Spanish officials at the border town of La Linea stopped the truck, saying they were unable to give authorisation for the food – which was mainly tinned or in packets – to be moved within the European Union.

MPs accused the Spanish authorities of creating yet more hassle for Gibraltarians, as part of the dispute with Britain over sovereignty of the Rock.
Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said: ‘The  Spanish are behaving in a hateful fashion.
‘We are fast reaching a point where Britain will have no choice but to show Madrid – in a drastic way – that their behaviour will  not be tolerated.’

The latest spat comes after Spain upped security checks at the Gibraltar border this summer causing hours of delays to motorists and which the EU has ruled as lawful

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

Telegraph covers the story too! Totally inhumane! 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/gibraltar/10532905/Spain-accused-of-blocking-Gibraltar-aid-to-Philippines.html?fb

Spain accused of blocking Gibraltar aid to Philippines

Spain has been accused of acting in a “hateful fashion” as it banned emergency food from Gibraltar destined for the typhoon-hit Philippines

The container was bound for the Philippines to help victims of the typhoon Photo: DONDI TAWATAO/GETTY IMAGES

By Fergal MacErlean, Malaga

7:26PM GMT 21 Dec 2013

Spain's customs officials prohibited food donated in a charity drive on the Rock from entering Spain where it was due to be shipped from the port of Algeciras to the Red Cross in Manila, citing problems over issuing certificates.

The departure of the 20-foot container packed with food, blankets, vitamins and drinking water will be delayed until after Christmas.

MPs viewed the delay as being politically motivated in the tense dispute over Gibraltar's sovereignty.

The container will now be collected directly from Gibraltar on December 29 at greater expense to the Maroc Atlas Gibraltar 4x4 group which organised the relief shipment, worth just over £600, as part of its charitable works.

The Head of the Spanish Customs Authorities in the border town of La Linea told freight company Redwood that only clothing, water and canned tomatoes would be allowed across the frontier because health certificates could not be issued due to the lack of facilities.

Fabian Valerga, warehouse manager with Redwood, said: “It’s crazy. We do not know at present if these instructions have been given by Madrid, or the Customs administrator is abiding strictly with the law, which I am sure with some goodwill a special permit could have been obtained for such a cause for a one off occasion.
“It’s about time such facilities were installed, like in any other normal border throughout Europe.”
Andrew Rosindell MP said: “The Spanish are behaving in a hateful fashion and it is totally inexcusable.
“Relations between Britain and Spain are at an all time low over their continuing bullying of Gibraltar.
“We are fast reaching a point where Britain will have no choice but to show Madrid – in a drastic way – that their behavior will not be tolerated.
“It is disgusting that the poor people of the Philippines should now be made to suffer due to this Spanish obsession.”
Luis Gonzalez the chief spokesman for Madrid’s Customs and Excise department said that food was denied access into La Linea as the office there "is not enabled by European legislation for the importation of products intended for human or animal consumption".
Mr Gonzalez added that the banned foods could be imported through Algerciras.
But from Gibraltar that would require an expensive passage by sea.
Graham Watson MP and MEP for south-west England and Gibraltar said the decision to block the relief food was “absolutely appalling”.
Speaking from Brussels on Friday Sir Watson said he intended to raise the matter immediately with Cecilia Malmström the EU Home Affairs Commissioner.
The latest tension at the Gibraltar border comes after a string of incidents since the overseas territory created an artificial reef in the summer to Spain’s chagrin.
Last month a diplomatic bag was searched by at the Gibraltar border by a Spanish official in an unprecedented breach by an EU partner and Nato ally of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

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

One supporter from UK wrote to Sky NEws to highlight this injustice!:

Freddy Meilak

Good Morning everybody 22/12 2013 : 09:40

Just posted this E-MAIL to SKY NEWS.

Dear Sir, you may want to know that the people of Gibraltar have Raleigh together and organised aid for the people of the Philippines, this aid has been loaded on to lorries so that it can be transported to the relevant depots for distribution only to find that the SPANISH GUARDIA CIVIL ( POLICE ) will not allow the aid to cross the border so that it can be taken to the needy people of the Philippines who have suffered after the TYPHOON, here is the link for the above.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2527688/Spain-accused-behaving-hateful-fashion-blocking-aid-typhoon-victims.html

Sincerely

Freddy Meilak

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

Our new Governor is actually getting more involved in what happens at Sea!

Sir James Dutton actually went out to sea when there was a clear incursion by the Spanish Para Military in our British Gibraltar Territorial Waters!

http://www.panorama.gi/

Governor sails to stand-off area by JOE GARCIA

 
The Governor Sir James Dutton sailed into a stand-off in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters yesterday. It happened in the early morning when a Spanish 'Guardia Civil' vessel made an appearance.
At the time, the Governor was visiting the Royal Navy's 'Scimitar' patRol vessel - the alarm went and the Governor decided he would have a look from close quarters.
The Governor is a retired Royal Marines Lieut. General with a distinguished career. He was the first British General to command American troops since the second world war. His attitude yesterday shows the stuff he is made of!
An eye-witness told PANORAMA that the 'Guardia Civil' vessel appeared to be playing games, as if provoking a cat and mouse operation.
An official source said the Spaniards could be described as undertaking 'patrolling manoeuvres'.
"They altered course deliberately into Western Beach," the source added. That was near where the concrete blocks were laid to create a reef. They like to complain about the relatively small Gibraltar reef when there are as many as 130 much bigger reefs littering the Spanish coast.
The 'Guardia Civil' spent 45 minutes in British Gibraltar waters. As usual, warnings were issued by the Royal Navy and a complaint will be lodged.
Even though the Spanish Foreign Minister said last week that he ackowledged that the waters were British, in that if the issue was taken to court Spain would lose, they keep undertaking their provocative acts. As has been stated officially so many times, it is a behaviour that should not manifest itself among NATO allies and EU partners.
This was just another incursion. The main difference was that the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar was embarked on the Royal Navy patrol vessel - and saw for himself what was happening.

20-12-13 PANORAMA daily

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






Our message is to wish all of you supporters and readers a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year all the way from Gibraltar.xxxxxx

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

Meet CONEY! The new Frontier mascot!

His main job is to collect evidence of politically motivated queues as well as assist in directing Frontier traffic. Every now and then, he sneaks off to have a well earned cup of tea at the Airport Cafe

From all in Defenders - welcome CONEY!

Watch a video from another supporter -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_piKFKgudQ

 

 

Anne-Marie Struggles

Human Dignity Protest was a resounding success - Unity in the making! Despite political division and attacks people unite on Human Rights Day!

Human Dignity Protest was a resounding success - Unity in the making! Despite political division and attacks people unite on Human Rights Day!

The Human Dignity group organised a protest in Gibraltar against the Spanish Government's ongoing harassment in using the Border to create queues for political means! The group has highlighted that in doing this they are targeting children, elderly etc of their Human Rights and in fact compare this to being an act of terrorism.

Over 300 people attended which was a bigger turnout than expected for two reasons - one there was magically no queues and secondly there was so much scaremongering going on.

The fact and the reality has been it was a success and many people showed their support in their personal capacities!

There will be another one but this time to be held on the Spanish side of the frontier. So let us see how many more attend on World Peace Day.



 Two people read out all the regulations broken by Spanish Government in using the queues as a weapon! Read out in both English and Spanish!

Human Rights Day - Demonstration For a Humanitarian Frontier,
A Demonstration took Place at the Gibraltar Frontier By Approximately 300 People From Both sides of the Border in Unity and Peacefully, Spanish Cross border Workers and Gibraltarians.
United in one common Cause, For the Humanitarian Human Rights to Be Respected By The Spanish Government On The Gibraltar/Spain Frontier.
The Demonstration was a Huge Success and made its mark celebrating International Human Rights Day in One common Cause By Both Sides of the Frontier. Two Cities United in Putting an end to the Inhumane treatment of People Suffering Madrid's Tactics.
Remarkably there were no Queues Whilst Demo Took Place and the Press were there, Makes You Wonder.....
Pics By T.Bickerstaff (c) (Defenders of Gibraltar) All Rights Reserved

 

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

Workers unite over ‘inhumane’ border queues

by Brian Reyes

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the border yesterday to express their anger and frustration at lengthy queues caused by Spanish customs checks.

There were people from Gibraltar and La Linea and their message was one of unity in the face of controls that on Monday caused four-hour tailbacks for cars and two hour waits for pedestrians.

“We have to be united,” Anne Marie Struggles told those gathered there. “Let’s not fall into the trap of hatred.”
***********************************************************************************************************
 http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=32056
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the border yesterday to express their anger and frustration at lengthy queues caused by Spanish customs checks.
There were people from Gibraltar and La Linea and their message was one of unity in the face of controls that on Monday caused four-hour tailbacks for cars and two hour waits for pedestrians.
“What’s happening at this border is inhumane,” said Gibraltarian campaigner Juan Pecino, one of the organisers of the protest.
 According to the Royal Gibraltar Police, some 300 people braved the chilly wind to attend the demonstration.
The crowd, mostly Spanish but with a healthy contingent of Gibraltarians too, chanted in unison in Spanish: ‘Los pueblos, unidos, jamas seran vencidos.’ Two communities, together, will never be defeated.
“Gibraltar and La Linea have always lived side by side,” said a Spanish woman who gave her name as Rosa. “The politicians should just let us be.”
To ram the message home, the demonstrators joined hands and held them up high, before turning to face the border and giving the Guardia Civil officers a round of applause, albeit laced with an insult or two.
The demonstration, held to coincide with International Human Rights Day, drew opposition from many people in Gibraltar who felt that Spanish workers should protest in Spain, not on this side of the border.
But Juan Jose Uceda, a spokesman for the cross-border workers association Ascteg and one of the organisers of the protest, said it had not been possible to obtain permission from Spanish police in time.
Yesterday, he vowed that the demonstrations would continue and that the next one would be on the Spanish side of the border at the end of January.
“The next one will be on our side,” he told demonstrators over a loudspeaker.
“We’re not going to stop and every day there will be more of us.”
He told those gathered that the demonstration would provide the seeds for a cross-border grassroots campaign and that they would take their message to Brussels.
“We’re going to shame them in Europe,” he said.
The organisers of the demonstration were at pains to stress that it was an apolitical movement attended by individuals acting in a personal capacity.
But there were well-known local faces in the crowd, including Voice of Gibraltar Group spokesman Julio Pons and the Defenders of Gibraltar’s Gareth Gingell and Anne-Marie Struggles.
It was Mrs Struggles who, loudspeaker in hand, summed up the mood at the end of the event.
“We have to be united,” she said. “Let’s not fall into the trap of hatred.”
Behind her, the border holding area was empty, cars and pedestrians alike whizzing through uninterrupted.
“Today we’ve won,” said Salvador Molina Sánchez, chairman of Ascteg. “There are no queues.”
***********************************************************************************************************

So now as we look back we can write with a positive note that it is good to see that new groups are emerging to tackle the issues we all face together! The frontier queues is not only affecting Spanish workers - it is affecting every human being who wishes to go to and fro freely. It is affecting all cross border workers. It is also affecting free trading and as such will have an adverse affect on businesses on both sides.

The fact is that the standing up for our rights is NOT against people but rather the Spanish Government. For many years we have evolved as a human beings and overcome racial discrimination and gender discrimination but as yet we need to overcome nationality and political discrimination!

We have seen beyond the colour of our skin and seen beyond our gender but as seen in the past few weeks people just do not seem to be able to overcome the difference in nationalities!

Over the past few weeks we have also seen and experienced that people fee; threatened by UNITY and should never be! It is the UNITY of the people that has won many rights over the world over history!

Democracy is the way forward - people have a right to support and to fight for what they believe is right for them. We should be proud that there are people who have such convictions and can see beyond nationalities and are able to see the bigger picture of UNITY!

So well done to the HUMAN DIGNITY group for your bravery and courage in standing up for what you believe - even if it goes against the the flow.

IF anything the protest has worked and we have seen a formation of another group - Unions on both sides uniting for the common cause of the problems of the border queues to cross frontier workers!
http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=32087

Cross-border union moves against border delays

 A group of Gibraltarian and Spanish unions and business associations have jointly declared “the inordinate delays at the frontier and the restriction of free movement of citizens between two EU territories as totally unacceptable and contravening universal human rights.”
 The group, which they say has been born out of need to defend the common socio-economic interests of the area is made up of Unite the Union, teachers union GTA/NASUWT, civil service union GGCA, Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce, Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses from Gibraltar and APYMEL, CCOO and UGT from Spain.
Jointly they have identified the normalisation of movement across the frontier as its prime objective.
During their first meeting, which was held on Wednesday last, they agreed to create and to operate a Cross-Frontier Group, as an instrument of cooperation and collaboration with particular reference to socio-economic issues and the defence of common interests.
At future meetings, the group said they will develop a plan of action to lobby at a political and institutional level with the aim of demanding from the European authorities a permanent solution to the reality of the current situation that is having negative consequences on social, economic and employment issues.
The Cross-Frontier Group has appointed Michael Netto from Unite and Juan Carmona from APYMEL as representatives.
********************************************************************************************************
Also the protest has started things moving for dialogue as reported by Gibraltar Chronicle below: http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=32091

Friday, 13th December 2013

Chief Minister meets PSOE chiefs in Spain in bid to ease cross-border tension

by Dominique Searle

Jointly holding up the banner for tripartite talks and the so called ‘ad hoc’ talks process, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and senior national executive members of the socialist opposition party PSOE met yesterday over lunch in Palmones.
The move comes at a time when the Government is set to introduce regulations to the Nature Protection legislation that would ease traditional but legal fishing in Gibraltar waters. And in the wake of the resignation of the La Linea fishing guild’s chief.
 The Gibraltar Government also used the opportunity to urge better relations between the Campo and the Rock calling for both sides to work to protect jobs and economic activity.
No 6 was last night highlighting the willingness and ability of the Gibraltar Government to talk with Spain whilst the PP Government are yet to agree terms for talks, although Madrid
is known to be reluctant to accept any three party talks within the ‘ad hoc’ sessions.
This stance has led to Madrid in effect freezing relations in a stalemate designed by its Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo to put pressure on the Gibraltar economy and local citizens in a hope of a return to the pre-2004 Brussels era.
The idea of the ad hoc talks had originally been put forward by UK as being made up purely by the persons necessary to negotiate on specific issues of concerns, but not sovereignty.
MEETING
At the invitation of La Linea Mayor, Gemma Araujo Mr Picardo held his meeting with the PSOE members after the mayor had hosted her own Gibraltar working group with PSOE’s visiting team and La Linea representatives.
The visiting PSOE delegation was composed of Gaspar Zarrias, Federal Executive member and Member of Parliament in Madrid with responsibility for Municipal Policy; Juan Moscoso, Federal Executive member and Member of Parliament in Madrid and PSOE spokesperson on the Foreign Affairs Committee; Irene Garcia, Secretary General of the PSOE in Cadiz and; Francisco Cornejo, Regional Municipal Policy.
According to No 6, at the meeting with the PSOE leaders and Mr Picardo, Ms Araujo outlined her concerns in respect of the effect that the present frontier restrictions are having on La Linea.
“These were shared by the members of the PSOE from Madrid and Cadiz who were in attendance and who had heard these concerns outlined at their earlier meeting in La Linea. They reflected the views of all sectors and collectives in La Linea in the later meeting with Mr Picardo, including those of La Linea fishermen.”
A No 6 statement said that all those present confirmed their view of dialogue as the way forward – “whether under the Trilateral or Ad Hoc formula” - to foster progress in good neighbourly relations and to exploit mutually beneficial economic activity in the future, as well as the methodology for resolving any matters in dispute between Gibraltar and Spain, apart from the issue of sovereignty.
Mr Picardo said he had explained his Government’s strong commitment to dialogue under both the Tripartite Forum and the Ad Hoc Formula proposed by Foreign Secretary William Hague which Gibraltar has supported from the moment it was proposed. He also expressed the Gibraltar Government’s willingness to “find real ways of co-operating with La Linea and the Campo Area not just to resolve disputes but also to create employment and economic activity for the benefit of people in the area.”
Mr Picardo took the opportunity to outline the reasoning behind the recent Parliamentary amendment to the Nature Protection Act, and how the work behind that had originated in the continued dialogue with Ms Araujo.
“I was very pleased to be able to meet senior members of the PSOE in Spain today. I have known Mr Moscoso, Mr Zarrias and Ms Garcia for some time now and I was very supportive of Ms Araujo’s work to bring them to the region to hear the concerns of the people of La Linea directly,” said Mr Picardo.
The meeting was reported by No 6 as having been held in a convivial and fraternal atmosphere and was an opportunity to continue the links that had already been developed between Mr Picardo and the senior members of the PSOE in attendance.
“I was also delighted to meet Mr Cornejo. The attitude of the senior PSOE members I met was to confirm that they felt, as we do in the GSLP/Liberals, that dialogue is the only way forward, to promote good neighbourly relations, mutual understanding and policies designed to deliver mutual economic benefit for people on both sides of the frontier. La Linea and Gibraltar have an almost symbiotic relationship and Gemma Araujo and the PSOE have rightly promoted dialogue as the way forward, an attitude that we have welcomed and echoed.”

AYUNTAMIENTO
The Ayuntamiento’s Gibraltar session was held to discuss the most recent developments at the frontier and the implications of the restrictions imposed by the PP Government in Madrid for Spanish workers on the Rock and for businesses in La Linea and the Campo.
In statements to the press Sr Zarrias and Sr Moscoso urged Gibraltar and Spain to have a “change of heart” that will “allow dialogue and a bringing together of both sides.” They also urged an end to the “unacceptable” queues at the border, and for special support for La Linea to help it face the economic difficulties that are accentuated in the border town.
Sr Moscoso said that the PP were mistaken in seeking to compete with the PSOE’s own defence of its claim of Gibraltar sovereignty. He said that defending that claim did not require abandoning the rights of workers and citizens where a great link exists across with Gibraltar.
FISHING
A key factor in the current move towards some form of détente, at least initially with the Campo, will be the introduction of legislation that would allow some level of fishing that is economically viable for the fishermen but does not cross Gibraltar or EU fishing restrictions.
This week the head of the La Linea fisherman’s guild, Leoncio Fernandez, resigned after falling out with other board members over his involvement in the recent protest in Algeciras targeting Chief Minister Fabian Picardo’s speech to law students.
Many are speculating that his successor could take a more pragmatic and less political approach to the fishing issue.

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

So all in all a great success in uniting together. Although as Defenders of Gibraltar we did not attend as a group - there were many of us who attended in OUR PERSONAL CAPACITY!

I was one of the many who did and I regret nothing and I am humbled to have played a part in the making of UNITY amongst the people.

I have no need to please anyone as I am true only to myself and my convictions and my main one as an individual is not to promote hate of anyone because of their nationality! We are all equal! Yes we are different but equal and I will never change no matter if standing up means I am not popular but this is a democracy and as such I will in my personal capacity stand up for our rights.

Anne-Marie Struggles

Tomorrow 10th December is Human Rights Day and there is a joint protest at 7pm outside the Gibraltar Airport parking area - organised by the Human Dignity Group against Spanish Government using the Frontier as a weapon against people!

Tomorrow 10th December is Human Rights Day and there is a joing protest at 7pm outside the Gibraltar Airport parking area - organised by the Human Dignity Group against Spanish Government using the Frontier as a weapon against people!

Despite the continuing bullying tactics by PP government of Spain - the Cross Frontier workers are being called to unite with Gibraltarians about one common cause in question at the moment - the inhumane queues caused by the Partido Popular Spanish Government!

Although the queues affect people from all nationalities not just workers but tourists in general the peaceful protest is planned to highlight the violations of Human Rights done by the Spanish Government.

Human Dignity is made up of people from both sides of the Border and although they are from different groups and associations they do not represent those groups or associations! They have created this group to help fight common issues affecting the life of many other Human Beings.

Samuel Fernandes - Radio Bahia
Manuel Fernandez - ASTEG
Juan Uceda - ASTEG
Noelia Jurado
Paul Cartwright
Gareth Gingell
Juan Pecino

Standing up for Human Rights goes beyond, colour, creed, religion and Nationality! People on both sides of the Frontier must not fall into the bad propaganda initiated by PP Spanish Government. The Spanish Government is only using the Frontier as a means to cause people to hate each other and not see the bigger picture of what is really going on!

Today has been one of the worst days of the queues done on Purpose for a while now.


 

 Massive Queues as we Speak, 3 hrs for cars pedestrians 1 hr Motor cycles 1 hr and it was getting worse!
  ***************************************************************************


Let us not think this is something new- all this happened in 1999 and the UK press was all over it then! What was the one thing in common in that year and now? Spain had a Partido Popular Government! The government from Spain like now initiated a hate Gibraltar campaign and tried all sorts of bad publicity and tactics like now. See below some UK papers that covered the story then!

 

So why is Spain adamant to cause inhumane queues? Simple really to make people suffer, to make Gibraltar and La Linea's economy suffer!

By causing queues they cause frustrations and anger and then people turn against people!

Hatred is a quick thing to sow and grow - love, peace and unity have to be worked on and for that you need trust! For trust you need to be able to look beyond nationality and politics!

A poem, for a very difficult day, with very difficult circumstances.

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son

Rudyard Kipling

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

The pedestrian Queue is gone now but cars at 22.00 are still struggling to get across!

 

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

Do join the peaceful protest called for tomorrow at 7pm outside the Airport Parking in Gibraltar and see how Human Unity will always prevail!  

Together we stand on International Day of Human Rights! Be there and show you care!

 

Anne-Marie Struggles 

Our New Governor arrives - will he stand up for Gibraltar?

Our New Governor arrives - will he stand up for Gibraltar?

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.

6 December 2013 Arrival of Sir James Dutton Governor of Gibraltar and Lady Dutton, They Arrived This Morning on board HMS Bulwark at 9am this morning they were greeted by a Gun Salute by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.
Pics By T.Bickerstaff (c) (Defenders of Gibraltar) All Rights Reserved

 

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

• Friday, 06 December 2013 16:42

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
 

 

ARRIVAL OF Lt Gen SIR JAMES DUTTON KCB, CBE, KStJ, ADC

©2013 DEREK BOOTH, all rights reserved
DEREK BOOTH (Hon)FMPA ABIPP ARPS DipPP

 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