Gibraltar firmly British

Press, 9 February 1980, Page 7

Gibraltar firmly British

NZPA-Reuter Gibraltar Gibraltarians have voted decisivelv to maintain their pro-British line despite a decade-long frontier blockade of the strategic colony by neighbouring Spain. Political parties opposed to “the Rock” becoming part of Spain won a resounding victory in local-government elections on Wednesday. The results were announced after a night-long vote count. Sir Joshua Hassan was returned for a third successive term as Chief Minister of Gibraltar, which guards the entrance to the Mediterranean. The Rock has been

controlled by Britain as ..colonial power for 276 years. [ Spain has a long-standing] claim to Gibraltar but periodic attempts to reach a [ settlement with Britain have ended in stalemate. Spain) cut direct land and sea links with Gibraltar in 1969. Sir Joshua’s party, the Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights, won eight of the 15 seats in the House of Assembly against six for the Democratic Party for British Gibraltar, the main Opposition group. Both parties want Gibraltar to keep its British links. ‘ A fiery trade-union leader, 1

■[Joe Bossano, won the remaining seat for his Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party, • which is totally opposed to [any negotiations with Spain ;|on the colony’s status. I The three candidates of ilthe Party for the Autonomy of Gibraltar, which favour. ; negotiations and reconciliation with Spain, failed to win election. : The defeat of the P.A.G. : was interpreted by local pol- ’ iticians as a clear signal to i both Spain and Britain that i Gibraltar is in no mood to i support any negotiations involving a change in British 'sovereignty.