GIBRALTAR: THOUSANDS OF GIBRALTARIANS TURN OUT TO PROTEST AT ONGOING TALKS BETWEEN MADRID AND LONDON OVER FUTURE OF THE BRITISH COLONY

Record ID: 647475

  • Title: GIBRALTAR: THOUSANDS OF GIBRALTARIANS TURN OUT TO PROTEST AT ONGOING TALKS BETWEEN MADRID AND LONDON OVER FUTURE OF THE BRITISH COLONY
  • Date: 10th September 2002
  • Summary: (W5) GIBRALTAR (SEPTEMBER 10, 2002) (REUTERS) 1. LV: ROCK OF GIBRALTAR 0.06 2. SV: GIBRALTAR BARBARY APE 0.10 3. VARIOUS OF MARCH (5 SHOTS) 0.40 4. SCU: MAN HOLDING BANNER READING 'NO TO JOINT SOVEREIGNTY' 0.45 5. SV: POLICE OFFICERS ON DUTY 0.49 6. SCU: (SOUNDBITE)(English) RESIDENT JIMMY BUZON SAYING "In the referendum we will have, I would think, at least 95 per cent majority vote in favour of remaining British, which we are. So there's no reason and I can't understand why people ask us whether we want to be British because we are British, it's not a matter of being questioned, it's just a matter of what we are." 1.09 7. SV: MORE OF MARCHERS 1.15 8. SCU: OLD LADY WATCHING MARCH 1.23 9. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE DRESSED UP (3 SHOTS) 1.39 10. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) RESIDENT RACHEL BERLLAQUE SAYING "Basically what Gibraltarians think is that the English government, the UK government is doing a deal behind our backs. The people of Gibraltar don't want any sovereignty deal. No shared sovereignty, no full sovereignty, no deal whatsoever. All that Gibraltar wants is self determination, for us to decide our future, that's what Gibraltarians want." 2.00 11. WS: RALLY 2.05 12. MV: PETER CARUANA, GIBRALTAR CHIEF MINISTER ADDRESSING RALLY 2.12 13. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AT RALLY (3 SHOTS) 2.23 14. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) PETER CARUANA, GIBRALTAR CHIEF MINISTER SAYING "It is a freely, fairly, organised, opportunity for the people of Gibraltar to express their political views on a political issue and democratic politicians ignore that political statement at their peril and they attach the political importance to it that their democratic and moral consciences dictate to them." 2.59 15. SV: PEOPLE SINGING AND DANCING 3.04 16. SV: PEOPLE HOLDING BRITISH FLAGS 3.08 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 25th September 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GIBRALTAR
  • Country: Gibraltar
  • Reuters ID: LVAEW0TK7GDEAVQLDAZCUPMO8UV9
  • Story Text: Thousands have turned out in Gibraltar to protest at
    talks between Madrid and London aimed at ending three
    centuries of dispute over the British colony.


    The Rock of Gibraltar, for hundreds of years a symbol
    of British power and Home to the Barbary apes. Legend says
    that if they ever leave, the Rock will cease to be British.

    The government of Gibraltar recently set November 7 as the
    date for a referendum to ask its people whether Britain should
    share sovereignty over the colony with Spain.

    But the vote seems set to show deep resentment at any role
    for Spain in the colony's future. Gibraltarians widely reject
    ongoing bilateral talks between London and Madrid on the
    colony's future.

    Britain has said it will not alter Gibraltar's status
    against the wishes of the 30,000 people there but has also
    said it will not recognise any referendum not called by
    London.

    On Tuesday (September 10) the people of the tiny territory
    held a National Day march and rally to demonstrate their will
    to decide the future of their homeland.

    Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain under the 1713 Treaty of
    Utrecht but has been attempting to get it back ever since,
    launching a series of failed military attacks in the 18th
    century.

    An estimated 10,000 Gibraltarians dressed in Gibraltar's
    national colours, red and white, and wrapped in Union Jacks
    took to the streets today to celebrate their National Day and
    send a pre-emptive 'no'' to Britain plans for joint sovereignty with
    Spain. Placards read 'No to joint sovereignty' 'No surrender -
    Gibraltar is ours'.

    Resident Jimmy Buzon, marching carrying a banner reading
    'No To Joint Sovereignty' said that he expected the referendum
    to be at least 95 per cent in favour of remaining British. He
    said, "I can't understand why people ask us whether we want to
    be British because we are British, it's not a matter of being
    questioned, it's just a matter of what we are."
    Another resident Rachel Berllaque said that Gibraltarians
    thought that the UK government was doing a deal in private.

    She said, "The people of Gibraltar don't want any sovereignty
    deal. No shared sovereignty, no full sovereignty, no deal
    whatsoever. All that Gibraltar wants is self determination,
    for us to decide our future, that's what Gibraltarians want."
    Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana said Gibraltar will
    not be bullied or bribed into being Spanish and that will
    never change. He said he believes Britain has no right to make
    any agreements, even in principle. Caruana said that all
    organisations in Gibraltar were agreed and unified "against
    the violation of our political rights".

    He urged people to massively support the referendum called
    for November 7 where most are expected to reject the
    joint-sovereignty negotiations being conducted by Britain
    and Spain.

    "It is a freely, fairly, organised, opportunity for the
    people of Gibraltar to express their political views on a
    political issue and democratic politicians ignore that
    political statement at their peril and they attach the
    political importance to it that their democratic and moral
    consciences dictate to them," said Caruana.


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