Tangier Position Displeases Britain

Northern Advocate, 24 September 1943, Page 8

Tangier Position Displeases Britain

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, September 23. Britain has informed Spain that she is bound to take a serious view of the use of the Tanzier zone by the German Consul-General and nationals for unneutral activities against British interests. Britain has requested Spain to put an end to these abuses and ensure the maintenance of strict neutrality in the zone, which Spain declared in June, 1940, to be the exclusive object of Spanish occupation. Mr. Anthony Eden, in making this declaration, stated that the Government always made it clear that the modus vivendi reached in 1941 was provisional, pending a final settlement and without prejudice to British rights or those of third parties under relevant international instruments.

Britain always maintained a nrotest against the original unilateral Spanish action. Under the modus vivendi, British rights have been, and were, fullv safeguarded. Britain was, however, keeping the situation under constant review and it was her intention to put forward, at the first suitable opportunity, for the consideration of other interested parties, proposals for the future of the zone. In view of the present international situation and the position of some of those parties, it was not, however, practicable to open negotiations now.