Spanish poll may end Gibraltar blockade

Press, 11 October 1982, Page 20

Spanish poll may end Gibraltar blockade

From

FRANCIS CANTOS,

in Gibraltar

A Socialist victory in this month’s Spanish General Election could speed progress with the Conservative Government in Britain on the future of Gibraltar, an issue that has marred relations between the two countries for almost three centuries.

Spanish Conservatives, who have been in power since the death of General Franco in 1975, have been powerless to lift the 14-year Spanish blockade of the “Rock” in the face of Right-wing and military opposition. ’ -

The man strongly tipped to emerge as Foreign Minister after the elections, Fernando Moran, has said quite‘firmly that a Socialist Government will go ahead with the opening of the frontier and the start of bilateral talks (as agreed but not adhered to by the outgoing , Spanish Government more than two years ago). The British Foreign Secretary, Francis Pym, who met Gibraltar leaders in London last month, has already said he is awaiting the outcome of the, Spanish elections on October 28 so that contacts over Gibraltar can be resumed."

Britain has insisted that restrictions against the Rock will have to be lifted before Spain can make . any headway towards membership of the European Economic Community. One of the reasons why a Socialist Government would go ahead with the reopening of the frontier would be to alleviate unemployment in Spanish towns and villages around the Rock.

The Socialists are just as firm as the other Spanish political parties in demanding the return of Gibraltar, which Spain lost to the British in 1704. However, Fernando Moran has indicated that they would be prepared to discuss “imaginative” solutions. One such is that sovereignty of the Rock be shared between Queen Elizabeth and King Juan Carlos and that the people of Gibraltar be able to choose dual nationality if they wish. This finds little favour among the 25,000 Gibraltarians. They would be much more likely to back a suggestion made recently by Gibraltar’s outgoing Governor, General Sir William Jackson.

In his book, “The Rock of the

Gibraltarians,” Sir William, an historian, points out that the people have developed their own identity over the past 278 years— “longer than the United States has been in existence.”

He proposes that when the frontier opens Spain be given the opportunity — at any time of her own choosing — to call for a test of opinion among the Gibraltarians. She would succeed in recovering sovereignty only if she were to obtain twothirds majority. If the vote went against Spain, she would not be able to ask for another test of opinion for 30 years, although the Government of Gibraltar could ask for such a test of opinion whenever considered neces-

sary. “This,” says Sir William, “would provide a self-regulat-ing mechanism so that the better Spain behaves as a neighbour the better chances she has to achieve her objective. She would know that she can never make it unless the Gibraltarians are happy to join her.”—Copyright, London Observer Service;