Thursday 31 January 2013

More disrespect towards our laws!

Once again we have had Spanish Paramilitary entering our waters in Gibraltar and trying to enforce jurisdiction!

This is the 2nd time this week alone! David Cameron is the only one to blame! So we urge that he stand up to the Bully that Spain is!

Gibraltar - land and air and sea belong to the people of Gibraltar under the British flag! Britain should protect not only the people but the integrity of our British Gibraltar Territorial Waters!

Below is the Press Release from our Governor - more words and no ACTION!



TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE


His Excellency The Governor is aware of the recent unlawful incursions, including this morning, by Spanish Guardia Civil vessel Rio Cedena. The Guardia Civil today attempted to exercise jurisdiction over a working vessel inside BGTW. This follows Tuesday’s unlawful attempt by the Guardia Civil to exercise jurisdiction over a pleasure boat in BGTW.

The Governor said:
‘These continuing actions by Spain are a matter of deep concern. The recent increased level of unlawful incursions into BGTW by the Guardia Civil is an unwelcome and unacceptable escalation of what is already a difficult situation. The recent petition I received was a potent reflection of the depth of feeling in Gibraltar.

I continue to liaise closely with the Chief Minister and HM Government of Gibraltar in relation to these events. The Convent has ensured that my views on these recent developments and attempts by Spanish State vessels to exercise jurisdiction are raised directly with the Minister for Europe.’

Warnings were read by the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron and the vessel departed BGTW. The British Embassy Madrid will make an immediate formal protest with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about today’s incident.


His Excellency The Governor is aware of the recent unlawful incursions, including this morning, by Spanish Guardia Civil vessel Rio Cedena. The Guardia Civil today attempted to exercise jurisdiction over a working vessel inside BGTW. This follows Tuesday’s unlawful attempt by the Guardia Civil to exercise jurisdiction over a pleasure boat in BGTW.

The Governor said:
‘These continuing actions by Spain are a matter of deep concern. The recent increased level of unlawful incursions into BGTW by the Guardia Civil is an unwelcome and unacceptable escalation of what is already a difficult situation. The recent petition I received was a potent reflection of the depth of feeling in Gibraltar.

I continue to liaise closely with the Chief Minister and HM Government of Gibraltar in relation to these events. The Convent has ensured that my views on these recent developments and attempts by Spanish State vessels to exercise jurisdiction are raised directly with the Minister for Europe.’

Warnings were read by the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron and the vessel departed BGTW. The British Embassy Madrid will make an immediate formal protest with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about today’s incident.



Anne-Marie Struggles
31-01

The lack of action by our police, and by our governor and especially by the Royal Navy is what is now pus hing people to want to take their own action! We as Andrew Rosindell, Christopher Thompson to get more involved and pass on the people's concern before it is too late! People demand action and let us remember ten thousand signed urging for more action! Lack of action is demeaning the petition and the people represented by it! The time has come to end the diplomatic waffling! Mr Yome must do his job and let his officers enforce the law if not retire! The Governor Sir You must also do your job or leave! This is what it boils down to! Every job has a it's dangers and using assets or danger is an excuse! We do not want war but we do want to see the law enforced! Lack of enforcement leads to what we now see daily the disregard for our laws! This is discrimination and apathy by those who are accountable for enforcing the law and protecting Gibraltar's British Territorial waters! The bully will stop when you do your job! We want to see arrests! We want to see the navy in action too! So no more sleeping, no more slumber wake up Britain and roar like thunder!
These photos are from Monday 28th Jan









Anne-Marie Struggles
29-01-13

DEFENDERS OF GIBRALTAR AT THE CADENA SER INTERVIEW

Today members of the Defenders of Gibraltar attended the Cadena Ser interview being held in Gibraltar.

The 3 hour interview was one which promised to air opinions and thoughts from both sides of the divide. During moments of mutual respect or outright support, there was applause. During times when there were lies, there was grumbling and the occasional boo from the crowd. It is probably at this point that it should be mentioned that the crowd appeared to consist of 50% Gibraltarians and 50% Spanish. Our Chief Minister and Minister for the Environment did us extremely proud in eloquently and calmly stating the facts and exposing the truth, especially during moments of sheer bias from the presenter of the show.

Indeed, we had heard that extremist members of Gibraltar Es****l were planning to be present and spoil the show. Suffice to say that they were present but abandoned their plans when we casually took off our coats and exposed the Defenders of Gibraltar logo on our jumpers. They spent their time pretending to be Inspector Cluso taking photos and giggling to themselves. Like they say in Gibraltar, "lo teniamo fichado" (will reveal their faces in due course, as they made the mistake of uploading to GE whilst at the event). What will stick with me for a long time is how I saw one of the 'suspects' on the phone outside saying in Spanish "how do you expect me to do that, with the extremists sitting right in front of me". Sorry to have spoilt your plans buddy, maybe next time ;)

BEST MOMENTS OF THE NIGHT

1 - Dr Cortes short but stalwart defense of the Environment.
2 - The Chief Ministers robust defense of our Finances and explanation of where the fault really lies with this conflict (Partido Popular)
3 - Closing statement by a lovely Spanish woman (Paula) from La Linea who unequivocally stated that they are our waters and is on our side.
4 - Looking at members of Gibraltar Espanol wanting to say something, but looking around nervously and thinking better of it....and watching them disappear as if by magic when the show ended.
5 - Listening to Taxi's beautiful music performed live not 3 metres from us

WORST MOMENTS OF THE NIGHT

1 - Landaluces phone in....terrible....his accusations were unfounded and all over the place.
2 - Having to listen to someone speaking live in the Bay of Gibraltar giving a very biased version of events, in which our RGP are apparently harassing the Spanish Fishermen on a daily basis.
2 - Francisco the fisherman playing dumb and saying all he wanted to do was fish...he can attend a radio interview in Gibraltar but not a court appearance...not so brave as he makes himself out to be then...he forgot to mention the Guardia Civils backing too.
3 - A member of the panel comparing the audience to ETA because of its opposition to his selective view of the Treaty of Utrecht (dont worry the head of the panel gave him a public talking down).
4 - Hearing the voice of some plonker singing Gibraltar Espanol during one of the 'cut-off' segments.

All in all a great night had by all, and we left with a warm fuzzy feeling that somewhere in Spain, someone has finally been able to hear the truth. If that radio interview changes the opinion of just one person in Spain, it was well worth the effort. Well done to Fabian and John - you did us proud.

Lastly, a well done and a thank you to Cadena Ser for coming over to Gibraltar and giving us a voice - I think that TeleCinco would have stopped the show after about 5 minutes :)
Gareth Gingell





PRESS RELEASE FROM THE DEFENDERS OF GIBRALTAR 30 Jan 2013

In November of 2012, the Defenders of Gibraltar collected almost 10,000 signatures aimed at urging the Governor (as the British Crowns representative in our homeland) to act in maintaining the integrity of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. Since the petition was handed over to the Governor (who in turn personally handed said petition directly to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office), we have seen a small increase in the presence of Royal Navy Vessels in and around our waters. These naval visits usually consist of a 24-hour stay and a full patrol of our territorial waters. During these visits, the Spanish Paramilitary and Customs vessels tend to refrain from illegally entering our territorial waters (however this is the exception rather than the rule). However due to the brevity of these visits, they have had no lasting or worthwhile impact on the situation in our waters.

There will always come a time when an individual or society stands up and states ‘enough is enough’. The Gibraltarian people are and indeed always have been patient in the face of the Spanish Governments threats, belligerence, harassment and extreme scrutiny of our day-to-day affairs and aspirations as a people. Indeed on numerous occasions we have espoused that as an organization, the Defenders of Gibraltar will apply the right pressure, at the right time and with the right amount of force necessary.

As a matter of fact, this is what the role of the petition was; to apply the right amount of pressure at the right time.

It is time for the UK FCO to realise something very straight forward – their half hearted tactics, their diplomacy and seeming willingness to bide their time is actually emboldening the Spanish Paramilitary in their day to day assertion of sovereignty over our waters.

We in the Defenders of Gibraltar sincerely believed that the UK would do something about the situation soon. Needless to say the situation is still here and indeed appears that the UKs protestations and perfunctory efforts in bolstering our deterrence have come to absolutely nothing. Just the other day, a stones throw away from our detached mole, the Guardia Civil stopped a Gibraltarian pleasure boat and attempted to exercise jurisdiction in our waters.

No doubt, the mandarins at the Foreign Office will issue a ‘strongly worded’ protest, in the same manner as the Royal Navy has been directed to issue warning after warning to the Spanish Paramilitary. In effect, they are trying to push the levanter cloud away from the top of the rock with a long pole.

Lastly, we would like to be clear in one thing – the Governor of Gibraltar has done his utmost best to help us in our circumstance – however his hands are well and truly tied. In Gibraltars time of need, the UK are letting us down and abandoning us when we need them the most. There can be no other interpretation.

What should we do? Well I for one will not stand by and watch how the integrity of our law enforcement agencies is constantly being called into question. Indeed just the other day I witnessed a youth on a moped about to receive a ticket who stated “ah you can give me a ticket, but you haven’t got the the guts for the Guardia Civil and the Fisherman? One rule for them and one rule for us right?”

To those who think that what happens out at sea does not matter, let me remind you that the undermining of any of our territory on such a consistent basis is the equivalent of having a Guardia Civil attempt to arrest you in Main Street. Perhaps because not everyone in Gibraltar has a boat it is too hard to feel emotive about the subject as it doesn’t affect them.

Unfortunately, there are many Gibraltarians who would only get involved when it starts to directly affect them, their family or their finances. Apathy appears to reign, perhaps not helped by the view that it is about a few Spanish Fishermen.

This is not about fishing – it is about Sovereignty. It is about time we woke up as a people to this reality.

Yours Truly

Mr Gareth R Gingell
Spokesperson for the Defenders of Gibraltar

Sunday 27 January 2013

Defenders of Gibraltar Welcome GFA back HOME!


Our Press Release and Photos 27/01/13

GIBRALTAR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION RETURNS HOME

The Defenders of Gibraltar would like to congratulate the GFA on its return from a historic and groundbreaking participation in the UEFA Futsal tournament. Through the efforts of the GFA, Gibraltar has once again shown the world who we are and where we come from. Words cannot describe the sense of pride felt on witnessing the coming home of our players today, where many lined up to congratulate the team on their achievements. 

By playing against experienced footballing sides such as Montenegro, France and San Marino, we have proven that Gibraltar is more than ready to become a full member of the UEFA club. 

A debut of 1 win and 2 losses is amazing especially when you consider we do not yet have a futsal team in its own right. We extend our congratulations to the whole team who exceeded all expectations through sheer determination and passion for the game. You have done us all proud.

Lastly, the Defenders of Gibraltar are saddened by Spain's constant machinations in attempting to deny Gibraltar its ability to display its sporting prowess to the world. It is time for Spain to realise that they should not mix SPORT and POLITICS. We look forward to the day when Spain realises that its efforts are futile, serving only to highlight its unhealthy paranoia of Gibraltar.

Gareth Gingell
Spokesperson for Defenders of Gibraltar

Photos by Tommy Finlayson - Photographer for Defenders of Gibraltar















Anne-Marie Struggles