Gib Media Pushes For Referendum

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

17 July 2002

Despite the fact that the UK's Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw has said that he does not see talks with his new Spanish counterpart Ana Palacio restarting until October, and has declined to set a new target date for agreement between the UK and Spain over the sovereignty of Gibraltar, some on the Rock are agitating for a referendum to be held now.

Speaking in the House of Commons last week, Mr Straw admitted that the two countries had been unable to reach agreement over Spain's claim to full sovereignty, or the ownership and future of the military base.

'Unless we and Spain can resolve the outstanding issues, then plainly there will be no agreement. Our aim remains to overcome them if we can.'

However, some beg to differ, and feel that an agreement has been reached already, albeit a partial one. Reporting on Tuesday, the Panorama news service argued that:

'The Gibraltar government is on record as saying that it would hold a referendum as soon as a deal on principles was announced, and what Straw announced on Friday is precisely an agreement on principle on a number of issues, including that of joint sovereignty.'

The newspaper went on to suggest that as the Opposition has always been in favour of holding a referendum as soon as possible, the population of the Rock should be asked their opinions on the possibility of joint sovereignty with Spain, the Constitutional proposals put foward by the House of Assembly, and the negotiating process itself.

Meanwhile, the UK's Minister for Europe, Peter Hain has put his foot in it yet again...

Clearly missing the point when speaking to Sky News earlier this week, he revealed that a Spanish flag will fly over Gibraltar as part of the Anglo-Spanish deal, and claimed that joint sovereignty will represent a 'fantastic deal' for the Rock's residents.

'Ok, a Spanish flag might fly on the Rock but what does that amount to?' he asked.

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