UK Defence Forum

Gibraltar will never barter its sovereignty in exchange for EU access after Brexit, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo told the UN Fourth Committee yesterday, rebutting a formal offer of “co-sovereignty” from Spain.

He made the statement just minutes after Spain’s ambassador to the UN, Román Oyarzun Marchesi, outlined Spain’s proposal for joint sovereignty to a packed committee room in the UN headquarters in New York.

Sr Oyarzun said Brexit would lead to “a radical shift” in Gibraltar’s relations with Spain, but also a “problem of the first order” for the Rock’s economy and that of the Campo de Gibraltar.

He said Spain’s joint sovereignty proposal represented “a solution” to Brexit and “a good deal” for Gibraltar and the Campo.

The Spanish diplomat received an immediate and robust response from the Chief Minister, who made clear Gibraltar’s sovereignty was not up for discussion.

Mr Picardo reminded the committee that 98% of Gibraltarians had rejected joint sovereignty in 2002 and that this would never change.

He added that Spain would “…never get its hands on our Rock, whether the claim is laced with threats or garnished with benefits.”

Mr Picardo told the meeting that the economic benefits Spain said could flow from joint sovereignty “…could flow today if Spain simply respected our choice not to be Spanish.”

The Chief Minister also said the fact that Spain had ceded the Rock in perpetuity over 300 years ago presented it with “an insurmountable legal obstacle” in its sovereignty aspirations.

Mr Picardo highlighted the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the GFA/FIFA case, the first time an international court had considered Spain’s territorial sovereignty claims.

The court dismissed legal arguments that Gibraltar was a disputed territory that should therefore be barred from joining FIFA.

“This seminal decision serves as a reminder that, for as long as the international community continues to value the stability of internationally recognised boundaries, Spain’s expansionist, territorial claim is doomed to fail,” Mr Picardo said.

BREXIT BACKDROP

Yesterday’s session in New York unfolded against the backdrop of the UK’s forthcoming withdrawal from the EU, which Spain has sought to link to its sovereignty case.

In a statement at the start of the meeting, Sr Oyarzun set out his government’s view that Brexit should strengthen the UN’s resolve to push for a bilateral agreement between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar.

The position presented yesterday at the UN reflected the content of a letter Spain sent to EU members last week outlining a joint sovereignty proposal which, according to the acting Spanish Government, would allow Gibraltar to retain access to the EU.

“We would like to reach an agreement with the United Kingdom on a joint sovereignty system which would enable Gibraltar to stay in the EU, and based on the recognition of as broad a self-government as possible – which is compatible with Spain’s constitutional system – and on an advantageous personal status for Gibraltarians, which could include dual nationality,” Sr Oyarzun told the meeting.

Sr Oyarzun, who said Spain would “never relinquish its just claim”, urged Gibraltar to study the Spanish offer and added: “It is not a question of imposing anything on anyone.”

arfah wrote:Has the Kuznetsov task group passed through the Straits yet?

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/725 ... dock-Ceuta

Being lowered back into Gibraltar harbour is one of the two fast patrol boats which help safeguard the waters around the Rock.

HMS Sabre was hauled out of the Med for five weeks for her annual survey/refit (it usually takes six, but thanks to the skill and depth of experience of local firm Bolaños and the engineers of the RN Gibraltar Squadron, they finished the overhaul a week early).

The work carried out on the 23-year-old boat included re-painting and cleaning of the hull to improve her speed through the water (sadly the shark’s teeth once painted on her bow have long since gone) and an overhaul of her two MAN V10 diesel engines which power the 24-tonne boat through territorial waters (and occasionally beyond) at speeds of up to 32kts (36mph).

While she was out of the water, sister HMS Scimitar was patrolling around Gib (plus the squadron’s RIBs, and civilian police craft) and escorting visiting British and Allied warships – including HMS Daring, Diamond and Bulwark – into and out of the naval base.

“I’m really pleased to see Sabre returning to the water ahead of schedule,” said her CO Lt Tom Lindsey. “Our engineering team, together with Bolaños, have worked hard to ensure that she is in the best possible condition to keep up the high operational tempo required in and around British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.”

With Sabre’s return RNGS is back to full strength in preparation for an upcoming deployment, ceremonial duties and Operational Sea Training at the end of the year.

The Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Mike Penning, arrived in Gibraltar today to conduct a familiarisation visit of British Forces Gibraltar.

This is Mr Penning’s first visit to Gibraltar since taking up his appointment in July this year.

As part of his programme he will visit a number of areas within the Command and call upon His Excellency the Governor and Commander in Chief and the Chief Minister.

Spanish state research vessel has been entering British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) throughout the afternoon.

The Royal Navy read warnings to the Angeles Alvariño and shadowed her as she moved slowly through local waters on the Bay side, out from the Detached Mole. GBC understands warnings have also been read to the Guardia Civil. asking it not to enter Gibraltar waters.

Earlier this afternoon, after heading north into Spanish waters, she returned into local waters west of the runway. Eventually, the Guardia Civil also turned up and escorted the survey vessel into Spanish waters.

Last year the British government protested to the Spanish authorities “at a senior level” after a Royal Navy RHIB was struck by a survey probe dropped by the Angeles Alvariño. Eye-witness accounts suggest that no probes were dropped this time.

The Convent says it's investigating an incident and monitoring the situation but has, as yet, not confirmed an incursion.

The Royal Navy was forced to fire flares at a Spanish research vessel after it strayed into British Gibraltar territorial waters.

HMS Sabre gave the warning to Angeles Alvarino after attempts to contact it by radio failed.

The research vessel, which is investigating the geological risks to the seabed, left British waters after the flares were fired.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The Royal Navy challenges all unlawful maritime incursions into British Gibraltar territorial waters (BGTW).

"We back this up by making formal diplomatic protests to the Spanish government."

Gibraltar chief minister Fabian Picardo said he had been in contact with Commander of British Forces, Commodore Mike Walliker.

He said: "I have discussed all the tactical decisions taken and am satisfied that they have been designed to demonstrate untrammelled sovereignty jurisdiction and control over BGTW.

"I congratulate the Royal Navy for the work they have undertaken so far in very challenging circumstances in light of the reckless disregard for safety displayed by the official Spanish vessels involved.

"Diplomatic and political action must now support the excellent work undertaken by the navy personnel with limited resources."

Jake1992 wrote:Are we thinking too big I terms of vessels like the rivers or P2000 ?
Could be that there looking at something more like the Mk6 patrol boats, they are larger faster and better armed with 2 x 12.5mm chain guns, lightly manned and can ever carry a rib if needed

ArmChairCivvy wrote:May be we will do a straight swap (2 for 2 ) with Trinidad & Tobago? The two boats manned would take 24 crew:
"The craft achieved more than 40kt in speed and small tactical diameter and short crash stop distance. The noise levels inside the vessel are lower, compared with those of similar patrol boats.
Optional weapon capabilities

The boats can be equipped with three general-purpose machine guns and one 20mm cannon."

http://www.naval-technology.com/project ... trol-boat/

GibMariner wrote:The Lt Cmdr stated they'd be replaced in two years

ArmChairCivvy wrote:

GibMariner wrote:The Lt Cmdr stated they'd be replaced in two years

Would we have one or two River1s over the required number by then, to head across the Pond (the demo tour has already been undertaken; the previous "all-weather" OPVs for T&T ended up in Brazil, instead. And the tours always emphasise that local CG staff are being trained... but for what vessels - just boats?)

Oops - pure speculation at this stage .

GibMariner wrote:HMS Severn OSD - 2017
HMS Mersey OSD - 2019
HMS Clyde OSD - 2019

HMS Forth ISD - 2018
HMS Medway ISD - 2019
HMS Trent ISD - 2019

ArmChairCivvy wrote:A useful "part-exchange" currency?
- of course, HMS Clyde is not one of the first three, but medevac as an extra (with a helo available, when required) can be quite attractive to anyone with lots of spread-out islands)