Police probe property buying in Spain

Buying property in Spain is becoming problematic following the 'White Whale' police operation into money laundering.

Spanish police have been pointing their finger at the property market as a vehicle to launder money.

This is no secret but the Marbella probe has highlighted the issue, as police scrutinise company deals to see what surfaces.

A Spanish magazine report says that the participation of companies from the Rock is 'common' in the promotion and purchase of properties in the Costa del sol, 'as in the case of operation White Whale'.

Only yesterday the news was published on how a local lawyer was trapped by a TV team posing as clients with a million euros to launder. Advice was given on how the money, once taken from Spain to a Swiss bank, could then be used to buy a property in Spain using a web of companies.

Ammunition

This will add ammunition to the long-held Spanish view that Gibraltar is used for such operations.

When the police operation hit the headlines in mid-March there was much talk of property investments being used to launder money from Cadiz to Malaga and beyond. The use of what the Spaniards term as 'fiscal paradises, featured for such purposes - and in this context Gibraltar was mentioned.

Developments in places as close as La Linea, in areas such as La Alcaidesa and beyond, started to be mentioned.

The number of companies in Gibraltar, which has been put erroneously at 80,000, form part of a plan to raise suspicions about activities in Gibraltar.

It has been explained officially in Gibraltar that the number of companies is around 27,000, that is, companies that are active, with around 6,500 being offshore.

Small Fish

Gibraltar may be small fish compared to other offshore jurisdictions, but its proximity to Spain draws interest which may be disproportionate to what actually goes on here.

It remains to be seen how many of the companies which are said to have been uncovered in the police operation end up being based in Gibraltar.

The Gibraltar government has been saying that any requests for cooperation will be addressed.

Companies

Gibraltar aside, Marbella is the Andalusian city where more companies are incorporated. In January alone, there were over 700 new companies set up - more than the monthly average for Gibraltar - and the sum total of those incorporated in Almeria, Cadiz, Cordoba and Granada.

It is disclosed that 65% of new companies in Marbella had only one shareholder; many do not have any employees.

In 2003, as many as 2,209 companies were incorporated in Marbella, more than in Malaga (2,112) and Seville (1,936), which have larger populations. More than two-thirds of these companies are property related.

Meanwhile, the news has now emerged that Spanish police used moles to penetrate the activities of the Marbella legal firm at the centre of the operation.

The investigating judge has been handed a mountain of documents.

A fair amount of property purchases from Gibraltar, not necessarily linked to any wrongdoing whatsoever, will inevitably raise suspicions and put property deals under the police microscope.

Negative

The net result of all this negative activity about buying properties in Spain could well lead to a downtrend in property investment from Gibraltar, causing a slowdown in the market.

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper

Noise is making our lives “a daily misery,” say Residents

Ocean Village works complaints - Residents from Marina Court, Portland House and Glacis Estate have complained that the noise levels from the Ocean Village development under construction are making their lives “a daily misery.”

They say works are affecting their quality of life by interfering with their sleep even during bank holidays, and state that although residents in the vicinity are not against the project, they do resent living in a building site every day of the week since the 12 metre depth excavation commenced in February. It is understood some residents are considering legal action in the form of an injunction to stop
the works.

In a statement to the Chronicle yesterday, Marina Court resident and spokesman for the management committee Paul Victor said the Gibraltar Government should review existing noise nuisance laws to deal with these kind of situations. Mr Victor also criticises the developers of Ocean Village and argues that although they give assurances in the end “they do what they want.” Residents are also dissatisfied with the “shoddy fencing” around the project. Mr Victor said:

“The developers release a considerable amount of propaganda to promote how good the project will end up being, but in the meantime they subject us to a daily misery.”

He continued:

“As most of Gibraltar was enjoying a well earned lie in on Commonwealth bank holiday Monday, the residents of Glacis Estate, Portland House and Marina Court were woken to the harmonic sounds of pneumatic drills. This noise commencing at 7.45am. Indeed on the following Tuesday residents were again awoken before the 8.00 am deadline to the sound of a large crane cranking up its engine.

The Ocean Village developers provided the residents of Marina Court with a letter of undertaking that the machinery used would be the quietest available and that on Sundays and Bank Holidays no work would be undertaken. So much for their undertakings!”

Mr Victor said they hoped to make the general public aware that residents are at “the losing end” when living adjacent to new developments under construction, while stating that Gibraltar’s laws “sadly appear to be somewhat archaic and favour the developers.”

He further states that the only available option seem to be the courts since Government Departments charged with the monitoring of construction projects appear “powerless” to take any action to curb “the excesses of developers.” He added:

“We sometimes wonder who checks the safety of the equipment being used on-site as residents were witness some days ago to the pilling machine breaking down and the oil from one of the pneumatic hoses spilling on to the pedestrian pathway below – you just have to walk by the site to see for yourself the grey spill marks on the pavement. We wonder what would have happened if the high pressure oil would have spilt on to the numerous school children who make their way to school on a daily basis through this same walkway.”

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Final result will make it worthwhile, say Promoters

Ocean Village defends “fantastic” project

Ocean Village promoters have incurred considerable additional expense to minimise noise, vibration and pollution during the construction phase of the development, spokeswoman Barbara Sellors declared yesterday.

Responding to the criticisms from residents in the area, Mrs Sellors said that from the very beginning they had consistently tried to keep “a positive rapport” with neighbours” by co-operating with them, and stated that some inconvenience was inevitable whilst infrastructure improvements take place but the final result would be better for everyone. Meanwhile they have also denied that there was any work carried out by them on Easter Monday and attributed the disturbance to “ambient noise.”

“Ocean Village will be a fantastic asset to Gibraltar, greatly enhancing the value of all adjoining properties and providing vastly improved facilities and views for all in the vicinity,” she declared. The statement by the Ocean Village promoters said:

“We have cooperated with Marina Court over their repairs to their own building which was facilitated by allowing access over our site. This repair work created tremendous noise – they were hammering out concrete. Though it was for worthwhile cause i.e. the improvement of the structure of their building. We didn’t complain!”

“We have tried to keep a positive rapport with our neighbours and have cooperated at considerable additional expense, voluntarily employing augured as opposed to driven piling to minimise noise and vibration.

Julian Munday, our Construction Manager, was very keen to meet with the Residents’ Committee for a follow-up session to a previous meeting but despite writing and phoning numerous times since March 23rd we have had no response i.e. the onus was on them. If there has been no response then presumably there were no problems to be resolved.”

“Several residents have visited the Site Office and use the opportunity to discuss various aspects of the development in a positive manner with him. Indeed many residents have thanked us for resolving issues. This appears to be at odds with the views expressed by Marina Court Management Co. Ltd.”

“We have issued a Newsletter delivered to all Marina Court residents. We have fully investigated the possibility that the contractor worked on Easter bank holiday Monday and can confirm that the site was shut for the entire Easter holiday period. If noise was heard this confirms to us that ambient noise – people working on boats, cars and lorries passing, etc – must have been the issue on Easter Monday.”

“New storm water drainage for the benefit of Glacis Road has been put in place by us for the Government. These works prevented a protective walkway being completed. It will be finished very soon and will incorporate side panels and lighting. This is like the beatification of Main Street: some inconvenience is inevitable whilst infrastructure improvements take place but the result is better for everyone.”

“We continue to procure best solutions to reduce sound levels such as an alternative technique to breaking down the pile caps - expanding grout system. The tower crane has been selected to minimise dust and fume pollution which is a feature of mobile cranes. We have improved the security of the fencing. Richard Labrador, Gibraltar’s foremost Health and Safety expert, has been employed by the contractor as Health and Safety Supervisor.”

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Mayor of Algeciras in shock resignation

Socialist Mayor of Algeciras Juan Antonio Palacios resigned his post yesterday in a sudden decision that has sent shockwaves in Campo political circles.

Sr Palacios a leading PSOE figure in the Cadiz province declared his reasons for the move were personal, but refused to disclose any further details.

This is the first time a mayor resigns in Algeciras in such circumstances.

The Ayuntamiento now has a period of ten days to accept the resignation in which case he will be succeeded by the current deputy Tomas Herrera, who was the second most voted candidate in the PSOE list at the last municipal elections.

According to political observers in the Campo, the unexpected decision culminates a period of serious financial difficulties faced by the local authority which has been unable to meet several commitments such as ‘rescuing’ the local football club Algeciras FC from an economic crisis, and meet other payments to the fair organisers.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Oldest former Policeman unveils RGP Memorial Plaque

by Alice Mascarenhas

87 year old former police officer John Cano yesterday unveiled a memorial plaque in memory of both past, present and future serving officers of the Royal Gibraltar Police.

The plaque situated within the patio walls of New Mole House Police Headquarters for officers and their families, retired and present, to see when they visit Police Headquarters forms part of the 175th celebrations which will be taking place between now and June 25 when a special parade marking the anniversary will be held along Main Street.

Commissioner Joe Ullger described the event as a very special occasion which was very much linked to this anniversary year. Mr Ullger was adamant that the plaque would serve as a memory and reminder of all the police officers who have served and are serving with the Royal Gibraltar Police.

As former PC Cano unveiled the plaque the words ‘In Memory of those who served’ were revealed. The short ceremony included the participation of members of the Force, and former officers. It was followed by a series of short prayers read out by the Bishop of Gibraltar Charles Caruana, The Dean Alan Woods and Rabbi Hassid. Addressing the small gathering, the Commissioner emphasised how special the event was.

“Today we have a very special police force which is committed, accountable and modern and meeting the expectations of the community. And we have to thank not just the present police officers but those from our past.”

Mr Ullger paid tribute to the first Gibraltarian Commissioner of police Pepe Morello who was present at the ceremony as were a number of the older officers who today are the committee members of the Retired Police Officers Club.

What this plaque commemorates is all those officers who have served dating back to 1830 when the then police officers started the Gibraltar Police right through to the present time. We have to be so grateful to them all for the building of this police force.

Mr Ullger said the plaque also commemorated the fellowship and comradeship which existed today within the Royal Gibraltar Police.

With the help of the Association of Retired Police Officers, former PC John Cano, was found to be the eldest living retired officer. Mr Cano who admitted he was a tough policeman and never let anyone get away with anything is proud to have belonged to the force. PC Cano joined the service on 8 October 1939, and retired after 31 years and 10 months service, on 21 August 1971.

“Being a policeman who had to go on the different beats, it was almost like being a watchman making sure everyone was safe. We would check all the doors making sure they were locked and that there was nothing out of place,” he said.

On the beat then meant you would walk all around the Rock and be made aware if anything was out of place. From Napier Battery to the Dockyard, Buena Vista to Prince Edward Road, every nook and cranny on the Rock was covered.

In those days the Sargeant on duty waited for the officer on duty at the different points along the way making sure that they were keeping to time.

Even today he admits he is very much aware of all that is happening around him, and almost walks like on the beat.

And he agrees that “once a policeman, always a policeman, exactly. If I were young again I would be a police officer all over again!”

Commenting on the ceremony, former police Commissioner Pepe Morello said it was of great significance, and spoke of the great changes in the force since his day. He joined the force in 1951. Mr Morello who will have been present at all three significant police anniversaries, the 125th, the 150th and now the 175th, said the ceremony yesterday was of great importance since it remembered in particular all the predecessors.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

AGM for Legal Executives

The Institute of Legal Executives Gibraltar Branch will be holding its Annual General Meeting next week.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday 6 April at the Lecture Room, John Mackintosh Hall at 6.30pm.

“All members are requested to attend. Any persons interested in obtaining information on ILEX and the courses run locally are welcomed,” said Nicki Walker, Branch Secretary. More details are available from her on 79000.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Recruiting of contestants for Miss Gibraltar

Yesterday, the Gibraltar Tourist Board, reminded all possible future contestants of the 2005 Miss Gibraltar Contest, the recruitment campaign had already started.

Already two ladies have signed on for the contest which will be held in July.

“The Gibraltar Tourist Board are reminding any other young ladies wishing to take part in the show that application forms are now available from the Gibraltar Tourist Board offices in Cathedral Square,” said a spokesperson for the GTB.

“A closing date for entries will be announced shortly. Prospective candidates should be aged between 17 (on 2nd July 2005) and not more than 24 (on 31st December 2005).”

This year’s winner will receive a cash prize of £2,000 and a clothing allowance of £1,500 amongst other gifts.

Miss Gibraltar 2005 will also have the chance of representing Gibraltar at the Miss World Pageant taking place in Sanya, China on 10 December, and will receive an exclusive evening gown for her to parade at the Miss World contest designed and sponsored by Dorcas Hammond from Dorcas Fashion House.

For further information please contact the Miss Gibraltar office Tel: 74950, Email: info@missgibraltar.gi or log on to the Miss Gibraltar Website.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Spanish pensioners to attend meeting next week on latest EU move

The La Linea association of pensioners and ex Gibraltar workers, Alpeg, is holding a meeting next week to provide information about the decision of the EC in connection with pension matters including the Community Care situation.

The UK has been given two months to provide information to Brussels on the issue.

The mayor of La Linea Juan Carlos Juarez says he will be attending the meeting. He speaks of providing information to those affected including the families of deceased pensioners, who according to him have hereditary rights.

He takes the view that both the pensioners and the descendants of those who have passed away are equally important.

When the news broke about the latest EC move, the Gibraltar government said it had not yet received any official information or details relating "to the apparent decision." It would be making a comment once this information was received.

However, the government stated that there could be no question of Community Care payments being stopped.

At the same time, it rejected that there was any discrimination on Social security matters on the grounds of nationality.

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper

Queen’s baton relay flies in on Sunday

by Alice Mascarenhas

The Commonwealth Games

The Queen’s Baton Relay is making its way around the world visiting all Commonwealth countries. The relay was launched by The Queen in London last month and is being held in the run up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.


The Gibraltar leg of the event begins on Sunday when the team carrying the baton will arrive on the Monarch evening flight at 7.40pm. The team will be met by the Minister for Sport Clive Beltran, Vice-President of the Gibraltar Commonwealth Games Association Becky Fortunato and Secretary Harry Murphy.

Thousands of runners are expected to carry the baton for more than 110,000 miles through all 71 nations of the Commonwealth.

The Queen’s Baton has already seen its way through Wales, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Guernsey. Its next stop will be Gibraltar where it will remain from Sunday to Wednesday before heading for Cyprus, Malta and returning to the Channel Islands – Jersey on April 12 and England by April 15. It will then travel to Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Asia and finally Oceania and the Melbourne opening ceremony on March 15 2006.

The Queen’s Baton was created for a relay to celebrate the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales. Since then it has become a much loved games tradition. The baton’s journey symbolises the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations, and enables communities beyond the host city to share the games celebrations.

The Melbourne 2006 Queen’s Baton Relay will be the world’s longest and most inclusive relay of the 71 nations of the Commonwealth. Originally eleven nations participated in the first British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930. Today the games will see the representation of over a third of the world’s population – all are expected to compete in Melbourne next year.

Whilst on the Rock the Queen’s Baton Relay will visit several places.

On Monday Minister for Sport Clive Beltran will officially start the relay at the Victoria Stadium at eleven in the morning. School children, athletes and VIPs will be present at the ceremony which will see The Queen’s Baton Relay, GCGA delegates, athletes and children march with the Baton around part of the Stadium track, and leaving via the exit closest to Cepsa.

The relay will then make its way down Winston Churchill Avenue, around Portland House and into Casemates Square. The Baton route will move into Main Street and up to the Piazza where the entourage move onto the City Hall where they will again be met by Clive Beltran this time in his role as Mayor of Gibraltar at around 12 noon. Here the Mayor is expected to give a speech and receive the Queen’s Baton from Heloise Mañasco, Gibraltar’s top Air Rifle Shooter. The Mayor will then return the Baton and the entourage will return via the same route to the Victoria Stadium.

Whilst The Queen’s Relay Baton is on the Rock the Gibraltar Commonwealth Games Association will host a dinner at the Eliott’s Hotel, which will be attended by GCGA committee members and guests including the Governor and Lady Richards, and GCGA Honorary Life President Pepe Fabre.

On Tuesday the QBR crew will visit Loreto Convent School, Bayside Comprehensive School, and pay an Official QBR visit to the Convent to meet the Governor. The crew will then leave the Rock on Wednesday.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Unions give deadline to MoD for withdrawal of plan

Military base contractorisation dispute

TGWU/ACTS and Prospect have threatened to take legal action against the Ministry of Defence unless they receive a firm commitment by the end of the month, that the proposed programme of contractorisation will be withdrawn.

The Unions have written to the Command Secretary British Forces stating out their position and identifying what they believe to be breaches of the EU directive on the transfer of undertakings, Employment Ordinance and established consultation procedures between the MoD and Unions.

The Unions also argue that the proposed manner of implementation is likely “to breach the constitutional and or human rights of the persons affected.”

Furthermore they call on the Command Secretary to provide an undertaking “by close of business on March 31st 2005,” that the MoD will take all necessary steps to withdraw its programme of implementation, and not seek to impose it or any other programme of contractorisation in respect of the MoD jobs in question, “unless and until a proper information and consultation programme involving transfers which do not create any job risks for the employees has been put in place in accordance with the provisions of the Employment Ordinance and the underlying objectives of the Directive.”

In a statement by lawyers representing the two Unions Hassans and Attias & Levy respectively, they criticise what they describe as “the pre-determined nature of some aspects of the proposal” to the effect that certain benefits will not transfer and that not all employment is guaranteed within the contractor companies. Meanwhile the Unions have reiterated their “fundamental objection to the manner in which these proposals have been announced, and the lack of proper information and consultation.”

Related Link: MoD Contractorisation Poll


From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Tory MEP calls for “real action" on refinery emmissions

South West Conservative MEP Neil Parish has declared that real action is needed from the European Commission “to pressurize the Spanish Government to rectify the pollution” emanating from the refinery at Algeciras.

Mr Parish said he was still waiting for answers from the Commission regarding emissions which, he said, “must be brought under control because they are way above the levels allowed under European law.”

Speaking during his recent visit to Gibraltar Mr Parrish also referred to the MoD dispute on contractorisation and the absence of a consultation period. Mr Parish said:

"Gibraltar is unique as the Spanish are able to close the border on to the Rock. The need to service nuclear submarines and warships could be severely jeopardized if the whole workforce had to come from Spain. The UK Government should think again before embarking on this particularly dangerous transfer.”

Meanwhile a spokesman for the local Conservative branch said:

“Neil Parish MEP met Michael Tampin (Prospect) during his visit to the Rock on Wednesday 23rd March, to discuss the MoD decision to transfer the direct labour force in the dockyard to private contractors. Mr Tampin explained that one of the major stumbling blocks was that the MoD had not carried out the statutory requirement to consult with the workforce for 90 days before any decision was taken.”

“The Prospect Union and the TGWU are working together to challenge the decision of the UK Labour Government. The lack of the 90-day consultation period may well be challenged in the European Court of Justice. Neil Parish has agreed to arrange for both the T&G workers and the Prospect Unions to meet Conservative politicians when they come over to the mainland on April 14th.”

“Recently Gordon Brown, the present UK Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that UK citizens travelling back to UK should be able to take up to £1,000 worth of luxury goods with them. Mr Parish wants British citizens returning from Gibraltar to be able to take up to £1,000 of goods with them. It is also time that the £145.00 limit on luxury goods for people crossing from Gibraltar into Spain was raised. This would be very beneficial to the economy of The Rock.”

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Related Links: MoD Contractorisation Poll

Trapped! Gibraltar lawyer in alleged 'money laundering operation on TV

A Gibraltar lawyer, with his face blurred to hide his identity, has been seen on Spanish television providing advice on what was described as a money laundering operation.

Using hidden cameras and microphones, a TV team called on the legal chambers and said they had a million euros of black money, in cash, and did not want to declare it to the Spanish tax authorities.

"I know someone in Switzerland," said the lawyer. "We have possible solutions."

He spoke of it being essential to have a private contract which stated why they wanted to do this - and it would be necessary to go to Zurich in Switzerland, taking the money in, say, 500 euro notes, on several trips.

There was an EU law which requires that interest from capital investment has to be declared by an individual, but the way round it is to form a company - the law does not apply to companies.

We can organise everything, said the lawyer.

The TV reporter went on to ask that, once the money was in Switzerland, how could a property be purchased in Spain, while hiding the identity of the owners.

This can be done by setting up a limited company.

Another company in an offshore centre, such as British Virgin Islands, Isle of Man, Panama or Gibraltar, would own the limited company which in turn would own the property. No names of owner would feature.

This is how money laundering operates, through a web of companies, said the TV reporter.

While it is illegal to avoid paying taxes in Spain to the Spanish exchequer, this does not apply in Gibraltar.

Having obtained this information, the TV reporter said Gibraltar was capable of hiding its most obscure secrets. Gibraltar was then described as a nest of smugglers.

There was also reference to a lack of transparency in Gibraltar.

An interview with an alleged smuggler also took place, to explain how smuggling takes place. Launches were seen in action.

There was reference to the 'Ballena Blanca' (White Whale) anti-money laundering operation in Marbella recently and how most of the companies had disappeared in Gibraltar, it was claimed.

The Spanish attorney-general had said that the 'White Whale' operation was only the tip of the iceberg, it was said in the programme which was transmitted in the Antena 3 channel.

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper

Oil exploration off Morocco

Vanco Morocco Ltd has announced the commencement of a 700 square kilometre seismic acquisition program off Morocco over the deepwater Safi Haute Mer Permit.

This permit is held under a Petroleum Agreement signed with the Government of Morocco on 24 October 2000 and has an area of over 5 million acres.

The purpose of the seismic program is to confirm the up-dip salt-delimited closure of a huge Jurassic prospect named Paprika. A discovery at this location would be ideal since it could first satisfy the Moroccan market and then be accessible to Europe via a pipeline across Gibraltar to Spain.

Vanco has contracted the PGS Viking vessel to acquire the programme and expects the survey to be completed within 30 days. Vanco Energy Company is a Houston-based independent oil and gas company engaged in international exploration and operations.

Vanco is a leading deepwater explorer in offshore Africa with 20 million acres under license in Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Madagascar.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

EU Treaty for all Libraries

Local Liberal Democrat Euro MP Graham Watson has written to the Minister for Europe Dennis MacShane asking that all libraries in Gibraltar and the rest of the South West should have at least one copy of the EU Constitutional Treaty for the public to refer to. Mr Watson said he had received many complaints from people that no copies were available in local libraries.

“The referendum could be less than a year away and people want to know what the story is at first hand. I am writing to the Minister for Europe Denis MacShane asking for him to make sure that all libraries have at least one copy of the EU Constitutional Treaty as soon as possible,” commented Mr Watson.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

MoD get deadline before legal action

The Trade Unions Lawyers, Hassans for TGWU/ACTS and Attias & Levy for Prospect, have issued letters, which mirror each other, to the Command Secretary, British Forces, Gibraltar.

Dear Sir,

Proposed Contractorisation

We are instructed by the Transport & General Workers’ Union/ACTS and refer to the Command’s Press Statement of the 18 February 2005 in relation to this matter.

Our clients have sought out advice on all aspects of MOD’s proposals.

Quite apart from various specific details issues that arise from the substance of MOD’s proposals, our clients have a fundamental objection to the manner in which these proposals have been announced and about the lack of proper information and consultation concerning the same.

They also feel strongly aggrieved about the pre-determined nature of some aspects of the proposals, in particular the indications given by the Command in papers released in parallel to the Press briefing of 18 February to the effect that certain benefits will not transfer and that not all employment is guaranteed within the contractor companies. This, our clients are advised, is likely to constitute a breach of Council Directive 2001/23/EC (“the Directive) and the provisions of the Employment Ordinance relating to the transfer of undertakings. The proposed manner of implementation is also likely to breach the constitutional and/or human rights of the persons affected.

Our clients are also advised that the lack of information provided to the Unions and lack of consultation with them breaches Section 78F of the Employment Ordinance as well as established consultation procedures between the MOD and Unions.

In the circumstances, we require your undertaking by close of business on 31 March 2005 that the MOD will immediately take all necessary steps to withdraw its programme of implementation and that it will not seek to impose the same or any other programme of contractorisation in respect of the MOD jobs in question, unless and until a proper information and consultation programme involving transfers which do not create any job risks for the employees in question has been put in place in accordance with the provisions of the Employment Ordinance and the underlying objectives of the Directive.

Should we not receive such undertaking by the deadline requested, our clients will pursue such legal remedies as are open to them and/or to their affected members without further warning, including such interim relief as may be appropriate.

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper - More...

Closure of Gibraltar Red Cross Tsunami Appeal Fund

by Alice Mascarenhas

• Over £520,000 raised locally since December

The Gibraltar Branch of the British Red Cross is set to close the Gibraltar South East Asia Tsunami Appeal Fund.

Yesterday the account at Barclays Bank was boosted by a further £4000, and will only remain open until tomorrow.

Since late December Gibraltar has raised nearly £520,000. Eddie Davis, Treasurer, of the Gibraltar Red Cross yesterday collected a further two cheques.

One cheque was for £2,635 and was raised by the Gibraltar Fine Arts Association and the Arts and Crafts Association during a Grand Raffle held at the Gallery a couple of weeks ago. The cheque was presented by the Chairman of the Arts and Crafts Association Gioranne Henshaw, and the President of the Gibraltar Fine Arts Society Willa Vasquez.

A second cheque was presented by Maribel Matthews, Artist of the Month at the Art Gallery this month. She presented a cheque for £1,464 from the earnings of her first solo exhibition. The exhibition has been the result of two years of work and is still on display at the Gallery.

Mr Davis said the Gibraltar Branch of the British Red Cross wished to thank everyone in Gibraltar for such a fantastic response to the Tsunami Appeal and for helping to raise more than half a million pounds.

“With the Tsunami Emergency Phase nearing completion, the British Red Cross have asked us to close the appeal with effect from the end of March. The Red Cross would therefore be grateful if any remaining collecting tins or outstanding donations could be sent in as soon as possible, in order that the bank account can be closed and the remaining funds transferred to London,” he said.

Overall the British Red Cross have raised over £16 million, out of a total collected by the Disaster Emergency Committee of £230 million. This has already allowed the Red Cross to send over £14 million in emergency aid to the affected areas.

The Red Cross, with all the other agencies is now turning to the next phases of the recovery operation, and rehabilitation teams are already working in the region to assess priority of needs. They believe that it will take a decade of hard work to re-build lost homes and businesses and to rehabilitate lost livelihoods.

2,000 FEARED DEAD AFTER NEW QUAKE

Meanwhile the latest disaster to have hit the area is now feared to have killed some 2,000 people. The grim search for survivors continues on a small island devastated by a new earthquake in south east Asia. For the second time in just a few months, the impoverished people of Nias were ravaged by the brutal power of nature as the tremor struck at the weekend. The community of coconut farmers and fishermen which has also been described as a surfers’ paradise was thought to be the area worst hit
by the disaster. Relief workers were arriving on the Indonesian island to begin an urgent assessment of the damage caused by the 8.7-magnitude quake. The disaster follows the Boxing Day tsunami which killed at least 174,000 people in 11 countries and left 1.5 million homeless. But fears faded that the latest quake would cause carnage on the same scale, although estimates suggest it may have killed up to 2,000.

Indonesian authorities said 330 bodies have already been found in the rubble in Nias with the toll expected to rise as more are found under collapsed buildings. Four Swedish tourists were reported to be missing on the island.

Oxfam staff are this week in the main town of Gunungsitoli, which appeared to have been one of the worst-hit areas.
Alessandra Villas-Boas, a member of the team, said: “Bodies are being pulled from the rubble as I speak."

Aid workers said 20,000 people had been left without water after the collapse of the electricity grid shut down pumping stations.

One mosque in the town was being used as a morgue and temporary shelter, and 34 bodies had already been brought there.

The town’s roads had also collapsed making transport by car impossible and there were also reports of food shortages.

Christian Aid have pledged to increase its aid funding to the region. Its local partner organisations were currently concentrating on providing food, water, medical services, and shelter to islanders.

Action for Churches Together estimated that between 500 and 1,000 buildings had been damaged or destroyed in Gunungsitoli.

Communications and infrastructure have been severely affected and the Nias airstrip was destroyed, with small aircraft having to land on a wide road. Claire Shelley, a press officer for Christian Aid, said she had been on the island three weeks ago to see the relief effort following the tsunami. She said:

"It is quite a small island and the southern tip is known as a surfers’ paradise. The people are quite poor."

Ms Shelley said the new disaster would be a terrible setback to the people of the island struggling to recover from the tsunami.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper - More...

Security arrangements at the Port

Statement by The GSLP/Liberal Opposition

Opposition Spokesman for the Port The Hon Dr Joseph Garcia

The Opposition has received a number of complaints at the negative
effects that the security arrangements at the Port are having on local
fishermen.

The security arrangements at the Port, according to the information
received by the Opposition, allows for anglers to be able to gain access to
and fish from the North Mole. Access is obtained by showing the fishing
gear and a form of identification like an identity card. Both Gibraltarian
resident anglers and non-resident Spanish anglers are able to enter the
North Mole in this way when there are no ships berthed there. These ships
are normally cruise liners or vessels coming alongside for bunkers.

There is a problem posed by bunkering vessels. In the past fishing has
not been allowed from the moment a vessel has booked in to come alongside
for bunkers, even though it may take several hours for the vessel to
arrive. The persons who have approached the Opposition logically suggest
that fishing should be banned just before a vessel is due, rather than
hours in advance.

This is compounded by the main problem experienced by local anglers which
is that a large number of Spanish fishermen come into the North Mole with
four or five rods each, and occupy practically the entire stretch of the
mole. This means that there is no room for local anglers. The complaints
reaching the Opposition also suggest that this is happening in other parts
of Gibraltar like the beaches and the lighthouse area.

It is well known that fishing in Spain is not allowed without a special
permit and that hefty fines of up to 300,000 euros can be imposed on anyone
caught fishing across the border without a licence.

Commenting on the matter, Opposition spokesman for the Port Dr Joseph
Garcia said:

"It is a matter of serious concern to the Opposition that resident
anglers are being pushed out of their traditional fishing spots by anglers
from Spain. The security arrangments put in place by the Government in the
Port area provided the ideal opportunity for the control of this practice
at least from the North Mole. The issue of permits to registered anglers is
one way in which the Government could have addressed this matter. Their
failure to tackle the problem has led to its escalation as the word has
spread among Spanish anglers that they can fish in Gibraltar without the
licensing requirements that are needed in their own country."

Dr Garcia added:

"Fishing from the North Mole and other such areas has been a feature of life for many years in our society and it is totally unfair that this
pastime should now be the subject of severe and unnecessary constraints
affecting local resident anglers. The whole issue also raises serious
questions of security, given that persons who are not residents of
Gibraltar are being allowed access to a sensitive area on the basis that
they are going to fish simply because they are carrying a fishing rod."

GibNews.net

Press Release by The Opposition: GSLP/Liberal Party

Gibraltar Soldiers in Iraq

Royal Gibraltar Regiment soldiers do not only serve in Gibraltar.

WO1 Stuart Bensadon is currently the Garrison Sergeant Major at Shaibah Logistics Base and has been the key mover in arranging the attachment of RG personnel to units in Iraq. He has been there since August 2004 and has been instrumental in organising attachments for RG soldiers to the Scots Guards Battle Group out in Iraq.

Sgt James Gracia is leading a group of 12 soldiers deployed in Iraq and has sent this update about their time in the desert:

The group arrived in Iraq on the night of 12 Jan 05. They were very quickly pushed through further training prior to taking part in active duties. This included using the new grenade launcher which is attached to our rifles and learning how to shoot from the top hatches of the armoured Land Rovers.

Being attached to a Guards Regiment means life is not quite as we know it. There is much stamping of boots and snapping of crisp salutes. Even the camp names reflect Guards traditions and we are living in the ‘Left Flank’, formerly known as Camp Abi Naji near the city of Alamarah. Whilst being looked after by the Scots Guards, the troops at the Left Flank have in fact been attached to the Welsh Guards Battle Group and it is quite interesting to see the subtle differences between the Guards Regiments and the friendly rivalry between them.

This attachment to the Welsh Guards continued until after the Iraqi elections at the end of January after which we returned to the Scots Guards Battle Group and moved to Shaibah Logistics Base.

The Scots Guards have gone out of their way to make us feel part of their unit and have taken very good care of us. Very quickly we struck up lots of friendships and a desire to foster links between our units. Some have even enquired as to attachments to our Regiment or how to get posted to Gibraltar.

Alamarah was the scene of significant insurgent activity last year with the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment becoming the British Army unit with more contacts with the enemy in their stay than any unit since the Korean War. However things are much calmer now and no activity against the Multi- National Force (MNF) has taken place. The occasional shots are heard in the distance but this is largely criminal activity or people celebrating a wedding or other family occasion by firing into the air.

Much of the routine work has consisted of patrolling the streets and areas surrounding the city. These patrols are carried out in support of the Iraqi Police Service and the Iraqi Army. Liaison with these units is good and they have proved friendly and enthusiastic. Our interpreters are also eager to please and help us considerably in understanding what the situation is whenever we go out to investigate a report. When not patrolling we man Vehicle Check Points (VCPs) where we carry out checks on people and vehicles. This makes it difficult for insurgents to operate and also helps in clamping down on crime.

Our other main task is dealing with reports of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the war in 2003. Every now and then, a report comes in of a shell or grenade being found by children and the explosives disposal team is then tasked to deal with this. We are then called in order to assist with security at the site of discovery and cordoning off the area.

Although we haven’t been here long we feel we have achieved something by helping the Iraqi police and soldiers in stamping out elements of the insurgency and cutting down on crime. This is essential in order to allow the Iraqi people to rebuild their society. It was very encouraging to see the good turn-out for the elections, and in this area there was no disruption by the insurgents.

Two other members of the Regiment are also serving in Iraq following a posting to Germany. These are chefs Sgt Joe Bula and LCpl Iriak Silva who have been deployed with their units to provide catering support for the British troops there.

All soldiers will return to the Gibraltar in early April for some well-earned leave before rejoining the Regiment. Their next duties will be somewhat different as the Regiment starts preparing for the summer’s ceremonial season.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Constitution at snail pace: Will we miss the boat again?

The constitutional talks with Britain are again delayed. It was expected that the next round would have taken place by now.

When the first round ended in London on 1st December, it was stated that both sides had agreed to hold a second round as soon as both sides are ready. "This is expected in the first quarter of next year," it was said.

The first quarter ends in two days' time - and the second round has not taken place.

Certainly there is no valid excuse for the delay. Britain had a copy of the proposals some 2 years before the first round and could have gone to the first round with clear-cut decisions. They had had enough time to consider all aspects of the proposals.

Instead, both sides went clause by clause through the whole constitution, which is essentially an update of the antiquated 1969 constitution.

At the time the Gibraltar side expressed satisfaction with the progress that had been made so far, so why this inordinate delay?

There is clearly no valid reason for the delay, except that the tripartite experiment with Madrid is possibly being given more priority than providing Gibraltar with a modern, decolonised status.The Foreign Office have this ingrained exaggerated fear of doing nothing that might upset the Spanish apple-cart - even when Madrid may not be upset and even if it works against Gibraltar's interests.

On the eve of the first round, PANORAMA warned that we must not fall into the Hong Kong trap of not advancing in constitutional terms and regretting it when it is too late.

What happened in Hong Kong when the crunch came was that they realised that, while the place was an economic paradise, their constitutional advancement left much to be desired - which made China argue that why should they give more power to the people of Hong Kong than the British hemselves had not done so. Gibraltar and Hong Kong are different issues - Gibraltar is British in perpetuity, which was not the case there. But it does not do Gibraltar any good to keep its colonial tag.

It has to be recalled that the constitutional committee of the House of Assembly was formed as long ago as 1999. It took years to advance to the point of having a meeting over it with the UK.

Now, further delays are becoming manifest which, again, works against Gibraltar's best interests. We are again at snail pace.

There is no real reason why a new and final round should not be held and the work of giving the Rock a modernised status concluded once and for all.

The previous constitutional conference lasted a week from start to finish!

What is holding back the new constitutional conference?

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper

ASCTEG complain of work benfits disadvantage in Gibraltar

Spanish workers in Gibraltar are at a disadvantage in relation to the social benefits obtained by their counterparts in Spain, ASCTEG (Asociación Socio Cultural de Trabajadores Españoles en Gibraltar) the Spanish workers association in Gibraltar has declared.

In a statement the association welcome what they describe as the positive disposition of the Spanish administration, and said it will continue to assist individuals who face problems while pressing for a solution to their difficulties. A spokesman said:

“It is clear that by working in Gibraltar Spanish workers lose out in terms of workers’ acquired rights in Spain. ASCTEG held a meeting yesterday to study individual cases of workers.”

ASCTEG highlight the case of a woman who had to obtain official medical leave because of pregnancy complications, and was not covered by any financial assistance for the period in question because this is not contemplated in Gibraltar labour law.

The association is complaining about the lack of cover for workers who are unable to work due to illness and also draw attention to the case of an employee who had been working in the same firm since 1998 whose employment was terminated in September 2004 and currently receives no unemployment benefit.

Finally the group say that another worker who was injured in an accident while cycling to work and did not fully recover from a knee injury even after a period of convalescence, was subsequently dismissed because he could not longer perform the job.

They add that under local law the incident was not considered an accident at work and therefore the employee missed out on financial benefits.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

London backs Local talk on pollution

Campo & Gibraltar issues

The British Government hopes that the new trilateral forum will provide a suitable atmosphere in which to discuss issues such as air pollution from the oil refinery at La Linea near Gibraltar.

This was the position stated by Dennis MacShane, Minister for Europe.

But he said that at the present time London believes that local environmental issues such as these are most appropriately addressed under the local cooperation forum of the Government of Gibraltar - Mancomunidad del Campo de Gibraltar Joint Committee.

This Committee has already established a joint epidemiological study to investigate the alleged high incidence of cancer cases in the area, he told the Commons in reply to a question from Lyndsay Hoyle.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Gibraltar clash over £2bn treasure

Ben Sills in Madrid

The Strait of Gibraltar has been the scene of numerous skirmishes between the British and Spanish navies, and now the two nations are sparring again - this time over the wreck of an English warship packed to the gunwales with treasure.

HMS Sussex has lain undisturbed on the seabed for more than 300 years, but since researchers discovered the ship was carrying billions of pounds of English gold and silver, it has become the focus of a bitter dispute as the Spanish authorities try to frustrate the attempts of a private company to locate it and start salvage work on behalf of Britain.

International law gives UK authorities jurisdiction over the wrecks of British ships wherever they might lie, and this month the UK government gave permission to an American exploration company, Odyssey Marine Exploration, to salvage the Sussex.
But the regional government of Andalucía claims that Odyssey also needs permission from Spain to carry out exploration in Spanish waters and has sent out coastal patrols to disrupt the salvage operation.

The Sussex sank with 12 other ships when a storm blew up on their first night out of Gibraltar. The ship was swamped as its commander, Admiral Sir Francis Wheeler, tried to avoid being swept on to the rocks. The admiral's body was washed up on a Spanish beach two days later.

Documents uncovered in 1995 revealed that the ship was carrying a payment for the Duke of Savoy, a key ally in Britain's war against the French. It is estimated that the treasure it carried would be worth more than £2bn today.

Odyssey has struck a deal with the British under which it can keep a share of the treasure in return for conducting the salvage operation. It will get 80% of the first £45m recovered, half of everything up to £500m and 40% of everything above that. Shares in the company have nearly doubled in price over the past month.

Odyssey's explorers have combed 400 square miles of the Mediterranean seabed using sonar equipment and deep-water robots. They discovered 418 possible targets, including Roman and Phoenician ships more than 2,000 years old. But only one of the wrecks had cannons. Odyssey is confident it has the right wreck, but other archaeologists have expressed doubts.

The Guardia Civil has sent out patrols to disrupt the operation.

From Guardian Unlimited


Related Link: Ship set for Sussex Treasure hunt

Poll gives a resounding 'No' to proposed Funicular Project

The Gibraltar News Online Blog's Poll which has been running for the past two weeks has given a resounding 'Definitely Not' to the proposed Funicular Project!

These are the current results at time of publishing tonight:

Option 1: Yes! It will be good for the general economy of Gibraltar - votes: 24 (5.85%)

Option 2: Yes... but with reservations - votes: 7 (1.71%)

Option 3: Definitely Not! - votes: 353 (86.10%)

Option 4: No... but I am interested in other ideas
with less environmental impact. - votes: 21 (5.12%)

Option 5: Not enough information to form an opinion - votes: 5 (1.22%)

Option 6: Don't know - votes: 0 (0.00%)


Total Votes registered = 410

The Anti Funicular Lobby Group, must be delighted with this very satisfying result for them!

Voting has been pretty consistent every day. There was a little bit of a rush, with a large volume of 'No' votes registered in the middle of the first week. I suspect the Anti Funicular forces marshalled their troops and their 'No' votes!

The clear lack of support for the project, to my mind, is also evidence to the inability of the project's Developers, 21st Century Rock to get their marketing and PR act together.

No chance of anyone being able to make the accusation of anyone being put under pressure to Vote here either, as I understand, was being rumored happened in regards to the public petition which was recently raised by the Anti Funicular Group!

I must admit I was a little surprised not to see a rise in the 'Yes' vote, once I published the Funicular Project 'Photomontage'. I would have thought the photographic 'Artist's impression' would have allayed a lot of peoples' fears, certainly in the context of how the Funicular will look like on the face of the Rock. On the other hand, there was also no noticeable increase in the rate of the 'No' vote either.

Well, whether you are for it or against the Funicular Project, I hope you've enjoyed participating in the Poll!

This Poll is now closed. I shall look at the possibility of re-visiting here at some stage in the future, perhaps when the Development & Planning Commission publish their decision.

In the meantime, if you have any comments you wish to make, please feel free to express yourself! Use the 'comment' feature at the bottom of this post. You may also have some suggestions, ideas for other Polls you may like to see run here. Let me know!

Funicular Project Related Links:

Funicular Project 'Photomontage'

Funicular Project Poll

Other Polls:

MoD Contractorisation Poll This Poll has been running for a week now. Whilst receiving a few votes, it has not been as popular as the Funicular Poll. In view of the highly controversial aspects of this issue, in my view, more so than the Funicular Project's, as contentious as that is, I would have thought it would attract an even larger vote. Seems that I am wrong once more! :) Don't think Gallup will be coming knocking on my door very soon now!

This Poll is open for another week. If you haven't visited it yet, please take a second to register your vote now so as we can obtain as wide a cross section and number of voters as possible. Thanks!

A great wealth of Books about Gibraltar, available online!

There are a surprising number of books available online about Gibraltar.

I don't know about you, but I love books! Since it's Easter Bank holiday and not a lot of news around, I thought I would look at this interesting subject and share some of the great books I have come across about or relating to Gibraltar!

History of Gibraltar

When one considers the wealth of history surrounding Gibraltar it really shouldn't come as a surprise to find so many books about it's history.

It seems that when our Governors retire, they find a lucrative line in writing about our past! Here's a couple of highly recommended and well known historical books written by distinguished ex-Governors of Gibraltar:

Gibraltar written by Sir John Chapple

For those of you who may not remember, Sir John Chapple was Governor of Gibraltar from April 1993 to December 1995. He ended his Governorship tour rather suddenly following a difficult period in Gibraltar politics under the GSD and the Bossano Government which strained relations with the United Kingdom. His book, Gibraltar explains how, despite its size, Gibraltar has been inordinately important as a strategic point since prehistoric times. It traces the history of the Rock through to the present contentious issue that it represents for Spain and the UK.

Rock of the Gibraltarians by Sir William Jackson

Sir William Jackson was also Governor of Gibraltar between May 1978 and October 1982. Sir William was a highly popular Governor who gained the affection of many Gibraltarians', not least because of the unusual understanding he showed towards the true Gibraltarian character, as exemplified in his book and emphasised by the title he chose for it! Sir William continued to work for and support Gibraltar in the United Kingdom, long after he left Gibraltar. His book is a highly informative historical account of Gibraltar from an interesting and warm indivdual perspective. Anyone interested in the history of Gibraltar is well recommended to read Sir William Jackson's Rock of the Gibraltarians!

A varied range of subjects

What surprised me, when looking around for books about Gibraltar, was the extent of subjects covered! Here's just a few examples.

Only last week, I covered an article about a new book just published on the widely celebrated Gibraltarian filmmaker and writer Nina Danino. Visionary Landscapes: The Films of Nina Danino is written by Helen de Witt, Louise Gray, Brent Plate and with contributions by Nina herself.

Gibraltar - A Bird Watcher's paradise

Gibraltar is a very important migratory site for Birds. As you may imagine, there are quite a number of Books available on this subject.

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) produce various publications, incluing the Annual Gibraltar Bird Report. The Gibraltar Bird Report follows the customary format of British county bird reports. Each issue includes a Review of the Year, followed by a Systematic List summarising observations of each species. There is also a Ringing Report, including a list of birds ringed in the year in question. The Report also features tables of daily raptor counts and of seabirds recorded in timed watches at Europa Point. Each issue includes a number of short papers on topics of local relevance, usually presenting and analysing data obtained in Gibraltar or the hinterland. Contributions to the Report are welcome from members and visitors alike. They should be sent to the Editor, Dr Ernest Garcia - ernestgarcia@gonhs.org.

Dr Garcia has contributed to other Bird Watching publications and books, including co-writing Where to Watch Birds in Southern and Western Spain: The Definitive Guide to Finding Birds in Andalucia, Extremadura and Gibraltar.

This is a revised and updated edition covering all the major birdwatching sites in Southern and Western Spain: Donana, Monfrague, La Serena, Tabernas desert, Jerte Valley and Gibraltar of course! A recent reviewer wrote:

The reprint and update of this excellent book has been long awaited. I have birded in this region of Spain many times and yet I still have much to learn, Garcia and Paterson are the experts. Where else in Europe can you see five species of swift in one day? Did you know that Ruppel's Griffon Vulture is now regular in part of the region? New sites have been added and access details thoroughly updated. A "must buy" if you are traveling to Southern or Western Spain.

Fishing

If Bird Watching's not your thing... Here's a wonderful book on fishing: European Sea Fishes: Gibraltar to Norway. This is a beautifully illustrated serious reference book written and illustrated by G.H. Jennings and T.R. Hall.

Sailing

Naturally, one cannot write about the many things Gibraltar has to offer, without at some stage getting around to Sailing! Here's a couple of Books on Sailing in and around Gibraltar:

Cruising Association Handbook: Yachting Guide from South West Baltic to Gibraltar - The Bible of Cruising in these waters!

Gibraltar to Islas Canarias written by the very aptly named Imray C.Chart! A tale of sailing betweend these two old historic British colonies!

Travel

Then of course, there are many excellent Books and Guides on Travel to Gibraltar. Here's a selection:

Explore Gibraltar: 3-D Illustrated Guide by Salvatore Cardu

Let's Visit Gibraltar by Claude Doak.

Both these Travel guides are excellent introductions to the history, topography, economy, politics, industry, people, and culture of Gibraltar, or as they put it, "this British dependency on the southern coast of Spain"!

A Horses Tale!

I use the Search Engines tirelessly. This next title is a constant source of irritation! It has nothing to do with Gibraltar, other than in name but nevertheless inevitably creeps into many searches, when researching all sorts of subjects connected with Gibraltar! I'm talking about the famous horse Rock of Gibraltar! No horse has ever caused more of a sensation on and off the racetrack than Rock of Gibraltar. He was owned by two friends, who just happened to be two of the most famous men in world sport! Sir Alex Ferguson, the toolmaker's apprentice from the tough streets of Glasgow who became Britain's greatest-ever football manager and John Magnier, the publicity-shy former senator of Ireland and patrician owner of the world's most successful breeding operation, Coolmore Stud.

In this definitive account of Rock of Gibraltar's life, we learn how the ultimate racehorse became the £100 million prize in a supposedly private but very public contest over stud fees which engulfed the world's most famous football club, Manchester United. Replete with new information, Rock of Gibraltar charts the tale of two men and their obsession, explains how Manchester United became embroiled in the saga and, above all, tells the story of a magnificent racehorse.

Since we are talking about horses, there's even a book on horse riding related to Gibraltar! Bridle Roads of Spain - A Journey from Gibraltar to the Pyrenees in 1852 Written by George Cayley with an introduction by Martin Hume and published by The Long Riders' Guild Press, a must for anyone interested in horse riding and old Spain!

Gibraltar, Love and the SAS

Violent Delights by Scott Graham

The true stoy of a tragic love affair between an heroic SAS operative and an IRA terrorist. Scott Graham was decorated for heroism in Northern Ireland and the Falklands, and he fought battles in which more than a dozen IRA terrorists were killed. Mairead Farrell was petite, young and darkly beautiful and she planted bombs for the IRA. Together the two shared a deadly and terrible secret. They loved one another, against the taboos of both their armies, for 14 years. The clandestine love affair reached its crescendo with one of the most controversial incidents in the history of the SAS.

In Association with Amazon UK

As I say, a varied selection of interesting and surprising subjects relating to Gibraltar!

These books are all available online in association with Amazon UK's Book Store. If you are a visitor from the USA and are interested in books about Gibraltar, please click Gibraltar Books to view books about Gibraltar in Amazon's US Book Store.

I have prepared a page, displaying many other interesting books about Gibraltar. You can visit it here: Gibraltar Online News Book Stand

Even if you don't make a purchase, I hope you enjoy a relaxed browse through these as much as I have done. I'm afraid in the end, I couldn't resist a couple of 'choice bargain' buys! I'll probably return to the Amazon Book Store in due course and buy those other one or two Titles which also caught my eye! :)

Amazon UK Book Links:

Amazon UK's Book Store

Amazon's Used Books - Buy and Sell Used Books through Amazon UK

Amazon Hot 100 Books - The most 'bought' books at Amazon UK

Sound bites are everything in Spanish opposition politics!

Letters in the Sand

Spanish press reports that Javier Arenas the Andalucian PP president is telling the world that Gibraltar is responsible for all the ills and crime in Marbella is a reflection of the sad state Opposition politics in Europe has reached and Spain in particular. Sound bytes are everything.

To go as far as saying that the EU approved continuation of the companies taxation system to 2010 means that corruption in Andalucia will continue shows a man who is either insincere or massively underestimates the challenge the Spanish law enforcement and judicial authorities are facing against organised crime.

To suggest that the current policy on dialogue represents Spain “pulling its pants down” is a crude attempt to create anti-Gibraltarian sentiment and destroy the slow-built relationship with the Campo for a few empty shots at Zapatero and Co.

The tide of politics will wash away the empty rhetoric of Sr Arenas.

If there is evidence of wrongdoing in Gibraltar then this should be produced and dealt with firmly. But so far that has not happened.

Either way none of this justifies such a reactionary stance.

Published in the "Comments" Section - 23 March 2005 - The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Community Care Payments will not be stopped, say Gibraltar Government

EU challenge - Gibraltar Government will vehemently resist suggestions that there is any discrimination in the local social security system on the grounds of nationality, a Convent Place spokesman has said.

Responding to reports regarding the EU challenge to the Community Care payments, their spokesman declared that there was no question of these payments being stopped to residents of Gibraltar.

Earlier this week it emerged that the European Commission had written to the UK authorities in connection with the claim by former Spanish workers for the payment of revalued pensions, and an additional complaint by ALPEG related to the non-payment of Community Care.

Mayor of La Linea Juan Carlos Juárez had also claimed that these payments known as the Housing Cost Allowance, were now under scrutiny in the European Comission, allegedly on the grounds that they were discriminatory because they required residence for payment and were based on nationality.

In reply to questions from GBC (Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation) a Gibraltar Government spokesman said:

“The Government has not yet received any official information or details relating to the apparent decision. The Government knows only what it has read in the Spanish press and will comment when it has official and detailed information. In the meantime we can say that our position on Spanish pensions is well known and will not change, namely if Spanish pensioners are entitled to a revaluation of their pensions, then the UK must pay.”

“In relation to Community Care, this is not a Government entity and the Government cannot dictate to it. But even if it could do so, there would be no question of stopping Community Care payments to residents of Gibraltar.”

“In relation to the apparent EU challenge the Government firmly denies and will vehemently resist any suggestion that there is any discrimination on the grounds of nationality in our Social Security system.”

No question of Community Care payments being stopped

There is no question of Community Care payments being stopped.

Following the news that EU infraction proceedings may be instituted, the Gibraltar government said that Community Care was not a Government entity and the government cannot dictate to it. "But even if it could do so, there would be no question of stopping Community Care payments to residents of Gibraltar," it added.

In relation to the apparent EU challenge, "the government firmly denies, and will vehemently resist, any suggestion that there is any discrimination on the grounds of nationality in our Social Security system."

As soon as reports reached us earlier this week, PANORAMA contacted the relevant authorities in the EU and we had it confirmed that a letter had been sent to the UK on this issue.

The government said yesterday that it has not yet received any official information or details relating to the apparent decision.

The government will comment further when it has official and detailed information.

It adds that its position on Spanish pensions will not change, that is, "if Spanish pensioners are entitled to a revalorisation of their pensions, then the UK must pay."

• In the past the government has also said that any such increases to Spanish pensioners would also have to apply to Gibraltarian pensioners.

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper