Azopardi leaves ruling party in opposition to Feetham merger

F Oliva reports

GSD resignations trouble

Former deputy Chief Minister and GSD (Gibraltar Social Democrats) stalwart Keith Azopardi resigned from the party yesterday over the merger with Daniel Feetham's Labour Party.

He said the unification was a mistake that was not supported by the membership, and questions that any ‘common ground’ exists with the Labour Party at all.

“All evidence points to thinly veiled political expedience behind this,” he remarked.

“Labour have been the strongest critics of the Government on many issues, from their support for integration, their rejection of the House of Assembly constitutional reform proposals and major differences on taxation policy,” he told the Chronicle yesterday minutes after announcing his decision.

Mr Azopardi argued that at best, the merger had been divisive for the GSD and argued that there was more common ground with Dr Garcia’s Gibraltar Liberal Party than with Labour.

The move that had been widely anticipated for months, confirms the serious political fracture in the ruling party, with the resignation of two significant members of the executive committee in the space of one month – the other being lawyer Nick Cruz who also voiced strong opposition to the merger.

Meanwhile asked about his relationship with the Chief Minister, Mr Azopardi said that beyond political differences there was now “a different slant on their general approach to people” that separated them.

Changed GSD

Mr Azopardi anticipates a fundamental change in political direction of the ‘new’ GSD/Labour formation.

He said that in addition to the newcomers, some veteran colleagues of the executive were close to retirement and would be replaced by hand-picked substitutes to the detriment of the party’s original philosophy and values established over the years.

Executive committee members and party activists were aware his departure was on the cards, and Mr Azopardi predicts that his exit could trigger off a further trickle of high-profile resignations in the immediate future.

He ruled out joining any of the existing or newly created political groupings in Gibraltar, but in reply to questions said he wanted to continue playing a part in local politics, and noted his great political affinity with Nick Cruz who also recently resigned from the GSD executive.

Mr Azopardi said the decision to leave had been a difficult one because he had worked very hard during his years as a government minister, and felt a great sense of bond with many people in the GSD and the political ideas it had represented.

Asked whether his resignation would affect his membership of the Constitutional Reform committee, Mr Azopardi said he did not expect this to be a problem, in the same way as Daniel Feetham’s inclusion had not been affected when he joined the GSD.
However he said that if either the Chief Minister or the Leader of the Opposition thought differently he would leave the committee.

Reform of the House of Assembly

On domestic issues Mr Azopardi says the emphasis has been on securing financial accountability but this had meant not enough progress had been made on democratic accountability in Gibraltar.

Debates of the House of Assembly, he continued, need to be more contemporaneous and other reforms to working practices – such as the enlargement of the number of seats to ensure that the executive cannot ‘steamroll’ its programme – have to be considered.

“There have to be checks and balances on the power of any government as is the case in every other parliament where the government as such is a parliamentary minority.”

Mr Azopardi also pointed to style of government issues and favours more decentralisation, delegation, and where possible consultation and the inclusion of the opposition in legislative initiatives that are not controversial in party political terms.

“We should give the opposition more advanced notice on legislation and discuss issues like for example, EU directives related to traffic.”

More consensus between the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on visits to the UN that would allow both to go as one team should also be possible, he says.

Mr Azopardi also calls for a “lowering of the tone of acrimony” that dominates political exchanges on the Rock. He believes fundamental differences are good in democracy to ensure there are true and genuine alternatives, but dislikes unnecessary animosity.

“This undermines any effort to present a united front, even on domestic issues such as health, education and internal economic affairs to maximise the efficiency of public administration.”

He would also like to see a more “radical approach” to the reform of public services.

“We need a global, structural view of objectives to ensure efficiency rather than a piecemeal approach where an increase of allowances in one sector then has a knock on effect on another which has to be addressed.”

Mr Azopardi would also like to see a more vigorous pace to the continuing constitutional reform discussions with Britain.

Related Articles:

16 September 2005 - Constitutional talks at Caleta get under way

16 September 2005 - Cruz quits party and ponders his political future

05 August 2005 - Feetham joins ruling Social Democrat Party

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

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Tripartite talks becoming a joke

The tripartite talks are fast becoming a joke, given the number of times that pre-meetings have been organised ostensibly "to prepare for the full ministerial meeting."

Now, the chief minister Peter Caruana and the Spanish foreign office official Jose Pons will be having another meal - again in Malaga, with Spanish officials continuing to refuse to come to Gibraltar.

On this occasion the lunch meeting today is in preparation for the next trilateral talks next month at the level of officials, which Mr Caruana will also be attending.

The lunch is to prepare the trilateral meeting which is in preparation for the October meeting which, itself, is in preparation for the full ministerial meetings which has suffered a delay.

There was expectation that the full meeting, with Jack Straw and Miguel Angel Moratinos, would take place in October, but progress has not been what had earlier been expected.

With one meal and another, the process is being stretched beyond the timescale the officials were working to. Again, the UK official involved in the process, Dominick Chilcott, will not be attending the lunch.

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper

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Police reveal identity of man found dead in Ocean Heights

The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) have confirmed the identity of the man found in a room at Ocean Heights last Monday.

He is Michael Edward FENTON, date of birth 22.7.65 in Gibraltar.

Mr FENTON, although born in Gibraltar, had spent most of his life in Australia and came back to Gibraltar towards the end of last year.

A Post Mortem was held yesterday morning at St Bernard’s Hospital by Home Office Pathologist Dr Peter Jarreat. The results of the PM at this stage are inconclusive and await further medical analysis in the United Kingdom.

Further investigations are in hand by the police which include an appeal to anybody that knew Mr FENTON, and anybody that saw him between Monday the 19th September and Monday the 26th September 2005.

Anybody that has information is asked to contact the incident room at New Mole House Police Station on 75465 or the Control room on 72500.

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper

Gibraltar chief was in despair over porn inquiry, inquest told

· Aide tells of discovering body in swimming pool
· Investigation a 'catatonic' shock, says brother

by Owen Bowcott

The most senior British officer in Gibraltar was found dead at the bottom of his swimming pool 24 hours after being relieved of his command, an inquest heard yesterday.

Commodore David White, 50, head of UK forces in Gibraltar, had been told he was being sent back to Britain pending a Ministry of Defence police investigation into pornography downloaded from the internet

His body was discovered lying face down in the pool of his residence in Mount Barbary on January 8. The investigation was part of Operation Ore, the internationally coordinated inquiry into the sale online of pornographic images of young children.

Giving evidence at the inquest in Gibraltar, Mr White's brother, Rupert, said yesterday:

"He would have been completely amazed that that decision had been made. He would have been stopped dead in his tracks. It was a catatonic shock from the time of that phone call to the time of his death. I think he was in complete despair."

The body of Mr White - dressed in a jumper, shirt, trousers and sailing shoes - was found at the bottom of the pool by his military assistant, Squadron Leader Nigel Forshaw, at 4.15pm.

Only 90 minutes earlier, Mr White's deputy, Colonel Tom Camp, had found the senior officer still in bed and described him as "weary and distracted". But after talking to him for 10 minutes and checking that he was well, Col Camp left his colleague to get dressed before they discussed his imminent departure.

"I believed he was going to get up and make coffee, as we needed to talk," the now former chief of staff said. But when Sqn Ldr Forshaw let himself into the property just after 4pm after getting no response on the telephone or knocking at the door, the death was discovered.

The Home Office pathologist, Peter Jerreat, said Mr White's death was "clearly due to drowning".

His toxicology report showed there were 61 milligrammes per 100 millitres of alcohol in his blood and 303 microgrammes per litre of the sedative zoplicon, which was described as "higher than normal for therapeutic use".

Mr White also had deep bruising on his forehead and down the right side of his body. "The impact following a fall may have occurred when under the influence of alcohol and zoplicon," said the doctor.

Mr White, educated at Eton and brought up in Kent, took over as head of the armed forces in Gibraltar in May last year.

The hearing continues.

Operation Ore Internet investigation

· Operation Ore was launched in 2002 after the FBI passed to British police the names of around 7,000 subscribers to a Texas-based internet child porn site, Landslide Inc.

· British customers paid up to £21 a month for "platinum" membership, which gave access to sexual images of children.

· As many as 33 Britons are believed to have committed suicide as a result of the inquiry. There have been 4,000 raids and around 3,700 arrests.

· Among those investigated have been police officers, a judge, magistrates, teachers, and hospital consultants. One man, who was jailed for five years, was found to have almost 500,00 indecent images.

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Gibraltar chief was in despair over porn inquiry, inquest told

Related Articles and Links:

Operation Ore

The Children's Society

Internet Watch Foundation

28 September 2005 - Police appeal for information on 'suspicious' death

21 June 2005 - Jury finds neglect in Nunez Inquest

11 January 2005 - Military Chief expresses shock and grief

14 January 2005 - Post Mortem in Commander British Forces Case - Commodore White drowned

Preparatory meeting announced prior to October Trilateral forum talks

Pre Trilateral Meeting



In a statement today, the Office of the Chief Minister, announced that there will be a preparatory meeting prior to the talks themselves.

As in the previous round of the Trilateral Forum talks, once again, the Chief Minister Peter Caruana accompanied by Chief Secretary, Ernest Montado, will meet the Spanish Government’s Director General for Foreign Affairs, Jose Pons for lunch on Friday in Malaga.

The statement added:

"This meeting as on previous occasions will be in preparation for the next round of trilateral talks which will be taking place in mid-October."

Gibraltar Government Press Release - 05 September 2005 - No: 225/2005

Ministry of Heritage & Culture announce progress at King's Bastion regeneration

King's Bastion Leisure Centre

The Gibraltar Government today announced the demolition of the modern buildings inside the King’s Bastion has now been completed.

In the statement, a Ministry of Heritage, Culture, Youth & Sport spokesperson said that "all structures of historical significance, as advised by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, have been retained". The statement added:

"Demolition works will now move to the Generating Station building and the top added floor of the barrack block facing Line Wall Road. This will commence on Monday 10th October and end on Friday 2nd December.

Prior to commencement of the demolition the surrounding area will be isolated, and a new temporary road will be provided through the Naval Ground No 1 to access Reclamation Road from Queensway.

During the demolition works temporary traffic arrangements will, from time to time, be required. These will be separately announced in the press.

The total cost of the demolition is about £1 million. In the meantime, design work of the leisure centre is at an advanced stage and it is expected that construction will commence in the New Year.

Details about the Leisure Centre itself will be announced later this Autumn.

Gibraltar Government - Ministry of Heritage, Culture, Youth & Sport Press Release - 29 September 2005 - No: 226/2005

Telephone: (350) 41687; Fax: (350) 52589; E-mail: minculture@gibnynex.gi

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ESG welcome Junta declaration on emission reductions

ESG and Bucket Brigade sees Junta declaration as 'Big Step Forward' but asks what is being done about Benzene?

The Environmental Safety Group (ESG) and Bucket Brigade congratulated the Junta de Andalucia today, for the recent announcements made in the Spanish press of its demands for all industries in the Bay to make immediate operational changes to dramatically reduce emissions.


The Consejería de Medio Ambiente in an order dated the 15th September, launched a plan which gives the green light to a strengthening of controls and forces industry to use fuels which have less negative impact on the atmosphere.

The 'Consejeria' has now established measures to reduce, with immediate effect, the levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2) being put out by industry to fall within levels stipulated by the EU Directives.

For Power Stations it has outlawed the use of fuels with sulphur content greater than 1% by weight. This measure alone should see a considerable reduction in the levels of sulphur dioxide in the air. If SO2 levels continue to be exceeded the relevant Environment Agency will have powers to reduce these which could include the forced reduction of electricity production by the offending power station. Under these new laws, industry is asked to reduce excessive pollution incidences associated with upsets in production, or on start up and stop needs, by adopting cleaner fuels and better operating controls with particular emphasis on particulates and sulphur dioxide.

For the Cepsa refinery, the Consejeria stipulates that preference should be given to the consumption of natural gas as fuel and it prohibits the use of any other gaseous fuel with sulphur content greater than 0.24%.

Furthermore, all emissions will come under close supervision with the installation of web cams to survey the use of flaring and real time monitors to feed data directly back to La Junta.

All these measures are expected to be in place as from the beginning of October when medical tests will also start on selected sectors of the populations living close to the industrial complex.

The ESG stated said:

"These are the steps that many, including the Bucket Brigade have been calling for, for some time now.

To see the Junta enforce these regulations must be seen as a huge and positive step forward in fighting the disgraceful and harmful levels of pollution to have existed in this zone for so long.

It shows that increased pressure from the population on both sides is working but must be maintained.

When the ESG and GONHS first launched its complaint to the European Commission nearly three years ago, it was against a backdrop of denial by industry and Spanish authorities. This important development now needs to be supported by appropriate actions taken by the industries and this time there will be even more people watching to ensure that it does."

Benzene excluded?
The statement goes on to question the exclusion of Benzene from the Junta de Andalucia's order.

"Pleased with these developments, the Bucket Brigade, remain concerned that benzene emissions appear not to have been specifically targeted as have sulphur dioxide and particulates.

Benzene is among the worst pollutant present wherever oil or fuel is stored, handled or processed and tighter regulation of this deadly toxin must also be prioritised.

This will therefore be the target of the ESG and Bucket Brigade action plan for the autumn which will aim to look at the impacts of our own bunkering emissions as well as the massive levels of benzene known to exist outside the Refinery."

From an Environmental Safety Group (ESG) Press Release - 29 September 2005 15:14

Related Links and Articles:

Junta de Andalucia - Consejería de Medio Ambiente Orden de 15 de septiembre de 2005, por la que se aprueba el Plan de Acción Medioambiental para el Campo de Gibraltar.

Global Community Monitor

Gibraltar Government Air Quality Monitoring

28 September 2005 - CEPSA expands operations in the Campo

07 July 2005 - ESG encouraged by meeting with EU Commission

24 June 2005 - Denny Larson returns to the Bay announce ESG

17 June 2005 - Bay Bucket Brigade visit the Andalucian Ombudsman

27 May 2005 - Junta intensifies efforts to combat Campo Pollution

25 May 2005 - CEPSA emissions within the Law - Confirmed

18 May 2005 - IU express concern in Andalusian Parliament

13 May 2005 - CSIC report confirms high levels of pollutants in the Bay of Gibraltar

Red tape and over-regulation could threaten growth, KilIick tells Bankers

Finance centre fears * by Peter Schirmer


Gibraltar’s finance sector continued to strengthen, expand and deepen, but we remain vulnerable to external factors over which we have no control and it would be foolish to express “mindless optimism” about the future, Financial Services Commissioner Marcus Killick warned yesterday.

He told the third annual conference of the Gibraltar Bankers’ Association that “whatever the strength of our finance centre itself - and it is strong - we are vulnerable to the actions of others.”

“Few would have predicted two years ago oil at above $60 a barrel,” he said. “We forget the power of Mother Nature at our peril. The success of Gibraltar is entwined with the world economy. Therefore whilst we can take pride in what has been achieved, we must redouble our efforts for the future.” And he added that the FSC would continue “to support and supplement such efforts rather than inhibit them”.

Killick has long been an advocate of efficient and effective regulation at all levels rather than heavy doses of unwieldy regulation accompanied by the inevitable bureaucratic red tape which accompanies heavy-handed implementation.

In a wide-ranging address Killick told the conference – whose theme was “Working in Partnership” - that too much red tape, the burdens of excessive EU directives and the growth of bureaucracy and greater regulation could stifle growth and initiative.

“Some including myself consider that the pendulum has swung too far,” he said.

"Those involved in banking - indeed in any senior corporate positions - have never been under greater scrutiny and, some might argue, greater threat… Nor does one have to physically be in the USA to come under its gaze. The use of the new UK Extradition Act on alleged white collar criminals demonstrates this.”

While fines of firms in Britain and America continued, the question remained of whether corporate fraudsters deserved sentences longer than rapists, however larger the amount they were alleged to have defrauded from investors.

"I would like to see, not more regulation but better regulation, regulation that is needed and fit for purpose,” he continued, pointing out that over the past two decades the financial community has moved from self regulation – “described by some as the ‘regulation of financial markets by the practitioners for the practitioners’” - to volume upon volume of detailed proscriptive requirements. There had to be a better way, he argued.

“Unfortunately the plethora of EU Directives… means that we do not have room for manoeuvre, in the way I would like.

Hopefully the change in tone in Brussels regarding regulation may mean the growth will stop and maybe even go into reverse. I would prefer fewer regulations, for in my view people generally know when they are doing best by their client. One can generally sense test by one simple question:

“Would I be happy if I was being treated in the way I am treating this customer?

"The same question could be put in management in relation to your staff and your colleagues,” he told the bankers. If the answer is ‘no’, you have to then consider whether what you are doing is the right thing, and, if so, you are doing it in the right way.

“Yet we do have some opportunity to set our regulatory stall out in a different way.

Firstly by accepting you can be pro business and pro consumer.

Secondly that the relationship between regulator and regulated can be based on trust rather than hostility.

The key issue is one of culture. Good ethics means more than just ticking boxes. We all want a safe, transparent and efficient financial sector in Gibraltar which protects both consumers and the integrity of the market.

This can be achieved by cooperation and understanding between the finance industry, the regulator and the Government."

Referring obliquely to the relationship between the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and Government, Killick said that the word “independence” was rapidly turning into a mantra, to be chanted by some regulators at every available opportunity.

“Of course regulators must be operationally independent, as indeed we are. Of course there is always room for improvement. Of course that independence must be codified and protected. Yet independence, like the Fellowship of the Ring, does not sit by itself, it is part of a trilogy. It comes with scrutiny and accountability. These siblings do not restrict independence; they make sure independence is used effectively, efficiently and appropriately. Like Tolkein’s books they work best as a set.”

Killick added that the FSC would continue to implement and enhance its risk based approach.

“We are aware that inefficiency in one partner impacts the others to the detriment of Gibraltar as a whole. We will also continue to build the strength of an already, internationally recognised regulatory team at the Commission through our participation in the pilot Investors in People programme.”

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Royal Gibraltar Regiment in largest scale Battalion exercise ever

Exercise Jebel Sahara * from Alice Mascarenhas in Jebel Sahara, Marrakech

In extreme climatic conditions and severe bone-dry arid terrain The Royal Gibraltar Regiment has just completed the largest scale battalion exercise ever in its history in the High Atlas Mountains and in the outskirts of Marrakech in Exercise Jebel Sahara.

A conduct challenging and realistic exercise, this is as close as it gets to a real war scenario, and has tested the regiment at an individual level from the Commanding Officer to every regular soldier through to the TA which has been in Morocco for the first time, and just as importantly has tested how the battalion as a whole works under pressure in acute desert conditions.

This joint exercise has seen support from throughout the British army and the RAF deploying Chinook and Puma helicopters which has proven paramount in the movement of troops, supplies and ammunition, over the past few weeks, and has also had the full co-operation of the Moroccan Army with their BIP parachute troops forming a large part of the exercise. Also here are the medics, the chefs, range team, shovel unit and entire logistics unit.

Commanding Officer Mark Randall said the exercise had been orchestrated to meet mandated standards whilst at the same time developing unit cohesion, enhancing procedures as well as efficiency.

Its architect has been Major John Perez the next CO of the regiment and has included several exercises such as Tarik Warrior, Mountain Viper and Desert Strike, all held in very different locations testing every aspect of the soldier in such an operation. In all the exercise has seen some 500 people involved with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment being 250 strong.

Now in its sixth year Jebal Sahara has evolved into a very large scale exercise within the British Army. The theme for this year was offensive operation which is part of the new mission of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. The weeks of training and sheer determination on the part of many, has lead to its success with the regiment, meeting its objectives as a battalion in a modern British Army.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

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Date for Tripartite Talks confirmed

The next round of Tripartite Talks will be held on October 10th and 11th at an as yet undisclosed location in Spain, official sources have confirmed.

Gibraltar’s delegation will be led by Chief Minister Peter Caruana while Britain and Spain will be represented by Director for Europe Dominick Chilcott and his Spanish counterpart Jose Pons.

It had been speculated that this meeting would be a fully blown three-way ministerial meeting and that an airport agreement would be announced. However there are still issues to be resolved that require further discussion and no British or Spanish minister will be attending. A breakthrough on the airport at this point is therefore unlikely. A full ministerial meeting is on the cards for some time in November.

For its part in a brief statement the Gibraltar Government said that “the formal announcement of venue and other details for the next meeting of the trilateral forum envisaged for mid October will be made by the Spanish Government, as hosts.” However it did confirm that a meeting of the Pensions Technical Group between delegations of the UK, Spanish and Gibraltar Governments will take place in the UK today.

“This Technical Working Group, is established between the three governments under the Trilateral Forum. The Gibraltar delegation comprises of Chief Secretary Ernest Montado, and Director of Social Security, Mario Gomila.”

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

CBF Inquest opens today

• Pathologist also called in to Ocean Heights Case

The Home Office pathologist due to give evidence today at the inquest into the death of Commodore David White, the former Commander British Forces in Gibraltar, will also carry out the post mortem on the dead man found in Ocean Heights on Monday.

Dr Peter Jerreat, a forensic pathologist with over 28 years experience, is no stranger to Gibraltar and has worked here a number of times this year alone.

He carried out the post mortem on Commodore White last January after the former CBF was found dead in the pool at his Mount Barbary residence. The examination concluded that the Royal Navy officer had drowned.

Dr Jerreat also carried out a post mortem on Clive Nuñez, a local man who died in police custody, and gave evidence at his inquest earlier this year.

Ocean Heights Body

Investigations into the death of a 40-year old man whose body was found in a flat in Ocean Heights continue, though police have not released any new information relating to the incident. The man’s name has not been made public pending formal identification by his next of kin, who are travelling to Gibraltar from the UK. But the Chronicle understands that, although he had lived away from the Rock for many years, the man had a local family connection.

The post mortem to be conducted by Dr Jerreat will be vital in order to establish the exact cause of death.

The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) is treating the death as suspicious.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Related Article:

28 September 2005 - Police appeal for information on 'suspicious' death

21 June 2005 - Jury finds neglect in Nunez Inquest

11 January 2005 - Military Chief expresses shock and grief

14 January 2005 - Post Mortem in Commander British Forces Case - Commodore White drowned

Violent robbery in Main Street

Police officers are investigating reports of a violent robbery in Main Street in the early hours of last Sunday.

Three men are said to have approached a local man at around 3am and demanded money. They then punched him repeatedly before making off with an unknown amount of cash.

The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) has descriptions of the alleged assailants and investigations into the incident continue.

More Juveniles Arrested for Burglary

Two juveniles were arrested at the scene of a burglary in progress at the Oasis Shop in Sir William Jackson Grove.

Police officers responding to a call from a resident found the two juveniles inside the shop at around 4am last Wednesday morning. They were detained pending further investigation.

Man Sectioned

In a separate incident, a man was sectioned to the King George V mental hospital after he was detained inside a residence in Humphries Bungalows. Police are awaiting medical reports and the investigation remains open.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

RGP Confirm two further arrests

In a statement today, the RGP confirm two further arrests yesterday.

Jonathan Wahnon, of Sandpits House, unemployed was arrested yesterday on suspicion of the Theft of a Motor cycle. The said motorcycle was recovered. He was conveyed to New Mole House where he was interviewed and later charged for this offence and bailed out to appear at the Magistrates Court at 10am today.

Christopher Graham, unemployed, of Edinburgh House, was arrested at Queensway on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug, namely Cannabis resin weighing 20.8 grams. He was conveyed to New Mole House and later charged for this offence and bailed out to appear at the Magistrates Court at 10.am today.

Government prepares against threat of Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza concerns in Gibraltar

Concerns about the possible pandemic threat emanating in the Far East in connection wsith Avian Influenza or Bird Flu is as much a concern in Gibraltar as it is throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

The possibility of the Bird Flu virus spreading to Europe from the Far East is the latest health hazard European Governments are having to contend with, and the local one is no exception.

Reacting to this threat, the Government yesterday issued a statement informing that it has placed an order for a arge quantity of the vaccine which is recommended for prescription when combatting Avian Influenza.

In their statement, the Government's Ministry of Health spokesman said:

“As a consequence of the possibility of the Bird Flu virus spreading to Europe from the Far East, partly along bird migratory routes, and the possibility of a pandemic developing, the Government is following World Health Organisation recommendations to stockpile antiviral drugs in suitable quantities.

An order has been placed for the drug Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) which is manufactured by Roche and is the drug of choice against this virus in most countries. Although a world-wide shortage of Oseltamivir is already beginning to occur, as countries begin stockpiling large quantities of the drug as part of their own contingency planning, the Government has been able to obtain a manufacturing slot.

A pandemic is defined as a large-scale outbreak of disease occurring over a wide geographic area across the world and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population.”

Gibraltar Government Press Release - 28 September 2005 - No: 224/2005

Related Articles and Links:

WHO Avian Influenza Pandemic Threat Recommendations

Avian Influenza - FAQs

NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) UK - Factsheets on Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) Vaccine

Roche Laboratories Inc. - Tamiflu

World Health Organisation

Government poised to give in on savings directive

The Gibraltar Government is poised to give in to UK pressures on the savings issue, whereby Gibraltar will give up its right not to disclose information to the UK on taxation savings matters concerning UK residents.

Since Gibraltar is not a separate EU member state to the UK, the savings directive does not apply. What London has been demanding since the summer is that Gibraltar should give up its EU rights and be treated as if it were a separate member country by entering into a bilateral agreement that will effectively deny Gibraltar its rights.

This issue arose when the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man threatened the UK with dropping its bilateral arrangements with UK, whereby they provide such information.

However, the difference between Gibraltar and the islands is that Gibraltar is part of the EU and they are not.

'Gib will give in'

As the row blew up, the news given to the islanders at the time was that Gibraltar would be made to follow suit. This is now on the cards.

At the end of July, the Chief Minister Peter Caruana flew to London for a top-level meeting, but there has been silence about the specific issues discussed. All that transpired at the time was a vague, general statement about Gibraltar's EU position.

At the time, the row was gathering strength after the Channel Islands threatened Britain with not applying the requirements of the EU Savings Tax Directive - unless Gibraltar did likewise.

The question was stirred up by Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, fearing that if Gibraltar was not brought into line it was they who would lose out.

Investor Switch Feared

Thus, while the islanders were required to provide information to London about UK resident's accounts, Gibraltar was not. The fear was that there could be a wave of investors switching over to Gibraltar.

The EU Savings Directive means that information on savings must be made available between one member state and another. Since Gibraltar is deemed to be part of the UK member state, it does not have to provide any information to the UK itself (even if it has to other member states).

"Does Not Apply"

On 1 July the Gibraltar government issued a press release confirming that the EU directive "does not apply as between the UK and Gibraltar."

However, the government here was already under pressure to do something about it.

The chief minister and the UK paymaster general Dawn Primarolo agreed to issue a statement which said that the EU directive applied to savings income payments made in one member state to someone resident in another member state -accordingly, because the UK and Gibraltar are not separate member states, the directive does not apply between them.

Assurances to Islanders

But as the islanders stirred it up, Dawn Primarolo (Paymaster General to the Treasury) was giving assurances to them that "the loophole which currently gives Gibraltar's finance industry a major tax advantage will be closed."

As we said at the time, the general view in Gibraltar is that we are in the EU for what suits others and not for what is our due.

The so-called loophole gives Gibraltar "a major tax advantage" it was said in the islands, and they wanted to put an end to it, even though under Gibraltar's terms of membership of the EU the Rock is entitled to be regarded as part of the UK and hence there is no 'loophole'.

'Choice' becomes 'NO Choice'

On 1 July, when the directive came into force, Gibraltar and the UK said that they were having discussions "with a view to agreeing arrangements to close this gap between them as soon as possible during the next few months, on terms that would offer a choice between exchange of information and withholding tax."

However, the Gibraltar government subsequently spoke of being "happy to enter into appropriate exchange of information arrangements with the UK", with there being no reference to a choice between that and withholding tax.

Surprise

The Opposition said at the time that it was surprised that the Gibraltar Government should say that they are happy to enter into appropriate exchange of information arrangements with the UK outside of the legal framework of the EU Directive for the Taxation of Savings Income. "There is of course no legal framework because there is no legal obligation to enter into such an agreement," a statement said.

The opposition added:

In the past Mr Caruana has indicated that it was not Government policy to enter into a voluntary agreement with the United Kingdom on exchange of information since this is not a requirement under European law.

In view of the fact that the Government announced in this year's budget that Gibraltar residents are no longer required to pay tax on the income from savings and investments held outside Gibraltar, for example in the UK, there is even less reason.

Although the Gibraltar Government considered that giving competitors this advantage was denying Gibraltar institutions a level playing field, the UK apparently turned a deaf ear to the pleas of the Gibraltar Government although it acceded to the requests from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

The whole issue is now about to resurface. The Government is expected to try and mitigate any political damage by saying that, in giving up its EU rights on this matter, it expects to gain something else in return.

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper

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Pilgrimage to the Shrine

To mark the Silver Jubilee of the Anglican Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe the Diocesan Bishop, The Rt Revd Dr Geoffrey Rowell, has called us all to be a pilgrim people, says the Dean of Gibraltar, the Very Revd Alan Woods.

"Some will have journeyed to Rome, to St Paul’s Island off Malta or followed the ancient pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela," he says.

The Dean added:

"Having a Sacred Place here in Gibraltar means our particular journey may be short in distance but none the less sincere.

Members of the congregation of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and friends will therefore be making a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe on Saturday 1 October.

We will meet at Europa point at 6.30 p.m. and make our way in procession, following the cross, to the Shrine for a celebration of the Eucharist at 7 p.m. at which Bishop Charles Caruana will preach, making it a truly ecumenical occasion.

Anyone who would like to join us would be very welcome."

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper

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Update 01 October 2005: View Images of the Procession in our Gibraltar Pictures Gallery

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View Images of the Procession in our Gibraltar Pictures Gallery

Union raise “discrimination" in sick leave entitlements

TGWU/ACTS has drawn attention to the issue of sick leave entitlements for private sector workers criticising that these should be inferior to what workers in the public sector get.

In a statement yesterday they also expressed concern about the non-acceptance of Moroccan sick leave certificates in the private sector.

The Union has written to the Labour Advisory Board outlining its position on these matters and says it will do its utmost “to eradicate what it considers to be discriminatory practices.”

The board includes representatives from the Chamber (Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce), GFSB (Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses), GTC (Gibraltar Trades Council) and Government.

TGWU Branch Officer Charles Sisarello said:

“We have submitted proposals for discussion in the board on these two problems that seriously affect our members working in this sector. We want employees who are hospitalised, undergo surgery, sponsored patients etc, to be entitled to special sick leave over and above the legally established minimum of two weeks at full pay and four weeks at half pay.

Many of our members and their families suffer financial hardship, when they find themselves in that situation. This only affects private sector employees as in the public sector they are entitled to six months at full pay and 26 weeks at half pay.

The other issue of concern is the non-acceptance in many private sector establishments of Moroccan sick notes, despite the fact that they are issued by the Moroccan Health Authority. Official employers have no problem in accepting this requirement but in the private sector this is not the case. Again for a different reason, our Moroccan members find themselves at a disadvantage with their counterparts in the public sector.”

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Government statement on next Trilateral Forum talks and comments on nuclear powered submarine visits

Trilateral Forum - Submarines

The Gibraltar Government issued a statement yesterday describing arrangements for the next round of the Trilateral Forum and also commented on the ongoing controversy about nuclear powered submarine visits to Gibraltar.

The statement confirmed that the formal announcement of the venue and other details for the next meeting of the trilateral forum, which is envisaged for mid October will be made by the Spanish Government, being as it is their turn for hosting this round of talks.

The Government also confirmed reports that a meeting of the Pensions Technical Group between delegations of the UK, Spanish and Gibraltar Governments will take place in the UK today.

This Technical Working Group, is established between the three governments under the Trilateral Forum. The Gibraltar delegation comprises of Chief Secretary Ernest Montado, and Director of Social Security, Mario Gomila.

Nuclear Submarine Visits to Gibraltar

In the statement, the Government spokesman also commented on Spanish press reports, repeated in Gibraltar media, quoting criticism by the Spanish Government representative to the Andalusian Government, Juan Jose Lopez Garzon.

The Government spokesman said:

"The Government takes note of the statement of the Spanish Government’s Delegate to Andalucia that the UK and Spanish Governments are negotiating a formal agreement to limit nuclear submarine visits to Gibraltar to emergency situations only".

However, the spokesman pointed out that the British Government has confirmed to the Gibraltar Government that "there is no truth to that statement" and that "HMG (Her Majesty's Government) would not contemplate any such agreement".

The statement continues, saying:

"Nuclear submarine visits to Gibraltar are a matter for UK and Gibraltar. Visits for operational or recreational purposes are welcome by the Gibraltar Government".

The spokesman called the complaints "emanating from some quarters in Spain about HMS Trenchant’s visit" as "completely irrational and incoherent". The spokesman also alluded these statements to be hypocritical, "given the use made of Spanish ports by nuclear powered submarines and ships".

Commenting on the remarks by the Spanish Government’s delegate in Andalucia, the Government spokesman added:

“It may be that this gentleman is confused between visits and repairs.

To our knowledge, it is not the position of the present Spanish Government or any previous Spanish Government, that it is opposed to visits by nuclear submarines.

It is therefore not clear why he thinks the Spanish Government would want or need such an agreement.

We welcome HMG’s confirmation that the use of Gibraltar by British and allied nuclear powered warships is not the subject of any negotiations for an agreement between UK and Spain.

However the Gibraltar Government continues to support the provision of information about visits and reassurances about safety to the Spanish Government on the basis of good neighbourliness.”

Gibraltar Government Press Release - 27 September 2005 - No: 223/2005

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View Images in our Gibraltar Pictures Gallery

FCO responds to submarine comments made by Spanish Government representatives

In a statement issued this afternoon by The Convent, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has responded to statements quoted in the Spanish Press by the Spanish Government delegate in Andalusia Juan Jose Lopez Garzon, concerning visits by nuclear powered submarines to Gibraltar.


In the statement, an FCO spokesman said:

“We understand that comments have been made by a Spanish Government representative in Andalucia suggesting that the British and Spanish governments have been negotiating an agreement to restrict the use of Gibraltar by submarines.

No negotiations of this kind have taken place.”

Source: The Convent Press Release - 28 September 2005 17:47

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27 September 2005 - Spanish ecologists protest against docking of British nuclear submarine


View Images in our Gibraltar Pictures Gallery

Spain declares war on nuclear vessels in Gibraltar - but not in Spain!

by PANORAMA reporter

The Spanish Government has declared war on nuclear vessels calling at Gibraltar - but not if they call at Spanish ports.

Even if the ships calling at Gibraltar are nuclear-powered submarines and those calling in Spanish ports are huge nuclear-powered aircraft carriers!

What a carry on!

Yesterday it was said by the Spanish government delegate in Andalucia, Lopez Garzon, that the Spanish government has asked Britain to stop submarines calling at Gibraltar unless in cases of emergency.

This has been presented as a 'revelation' in the Spanish press, but it is not clear if they have got it confused with the earlier Spanish request that NUCLEAR REPAIRS should not take place in Gibraltar except in cases of emergency. Madrid says that it is still waiting for London to give it a written guarantee on it.


Be it as it may, the same Lopez Garzon has also said that the Spanish government has asked Britain that the stay by HMS Trenchant should be as brief as possible and that "this is going to be the case", as if their request had anything to do with it.

It is known that Britain informed Spain about the visit, so they knew beforehand just how long the submarine would stay here!

Spain First

As we reported yesterday, Britain informed Spain about the visit on Sunday - but the Headquarters British Forces did not release their press statement in Gibraltar until the next day. So Spain got to know before Gibraltar.

Meanwhile, the Cadiz secretary-general of the opposition Partido Popular, Aurekio Sanchez, has come out saying that "14 more submarines" will be calling at Gibraltar. He did not say if they would all be coming on the same day or over a number of years...

He claimed that when they were in government they would oppose such visits 'to the waters of Algeciras' in a 'vehement and belligerent' manner because of the danger posed to the health of the neighbourhood.

However, when the US aircraft carrier 'Theodore Roosevelt' called at Palma de Majorca last week, no one expressed concern about the visit, even though the aircraft carrier is propelled by two nuclear-powered units, whilst the Trenchant only has one!

People in Gibraltar point out the political hypocrisy that engulfs the Spanish position. It is not a matter of principle if they agree or disagree with nuclear visits - it depends if Gibraltar is involved!

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper

Related Article:

28 September 2005 - Juarez criticises lack of 'home' info on Submarine arrival

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View Images in our Gibraltar Pictures Gallery

Spanish pensions at tripartite talks tomorrow

by our Political correspondent

Tripartite talks on the Spanish pensions issue are due to take place in London this Thursday, said UK official sources.

The report, published in the Spanish media yesterday, was the first inkling that the talks were due. Subsequently, No. 6 Convent Place confirmed that the talks were taking place and that Gibraltar would be represented by chief secretary Ernest Montado and principal secretary for social and civic affairs Mario Gomila.

The meeting will be at a technical level, expected to be the last on this issue before the full ministerial meeting takes place before the year is out, when the question of the airport is also expected to be on the agenda.

The Spanish side have made no secret of the fact that they would like to find a solution to the two issues, to present to public opinion as an advance on Gibraltar.

The newsagency Europa Press quotes Spanish diplomatic sources as saying that Spain seeks a political agreement on the pensions by the governments of Spain, Britain and Gibraltar.

The general Gibraltar view on the pensions has long been that this has nothing to do with Gibraltar, and that it is a matter for Britain and Spain to resolve.

Involvement by Gibraltar could be seen as implicating the Rock in this issue.

Symbolic Gesture

There were reports in the summer that the Spanish Government might make a gesture, however symbolic, in accepting some responsibility for the pensions problem, given that it was a Spanish government that withdrew the spanish labour force and in fact caused the problem.

The La Linea pensioners association Alpeg said recently that the responsibility was Britain's, but the Spanish government ought to make a financial contribution.

The job of the technical group is to determine certain issues including the exact number of pensioners involved and what could be the claimed sum, which has been estimated at around 30 million euros.

The pensions and the airport are the two principal questions that should emerge in the full ministerial talks, when the Spanish side would wish to announce what they describe as 'progress.' Lack of progress could urge the Spanish opposition to accuse Madrid of having got nowehere and made a fool of themselves.

From Panorama, Gibraltar's Online Daily Newspaper

Police appeal for information on 'suspicious' death

The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) has appealed to the public for any information relating to the death of a man whose badly decomposed body was found in a first floor flat in Ocean Heights on Monday.

The move came as the RGP confirmed that it was treating the death as suspicious at this stage in its investigation.

Yesterday, officers were posted on guard outside the door to the flat and at the mortuary in the hospital.

“The Criminal Investigation Department of the RGP can confirm that they are investigating the death of a 40-year old male who was found within his residence at Ocean Heights on Monday afternoon in circumstances which are deemed to be suspicious at this early stage of the investigation,” the RGP said in a statement.

A Home Office pathologist will be travelling to Gibraltar from the UK to carry out a post mortem on Thursday, a usual response in this type of case. The man’s next of kin are also travelling to Gibraltar from the UK. His identity has not been released pending their arrival and formal identification procedures.

“An incident room has been set up at New Mole House police station and the public are asked to ring 75465 or the control room on 72500 if they have any information concerning the investigation,” the RGP statement added. “Further information will be released in due course.”

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

WBC President expected today

Jose Sulaiman the Mexican president of the World Boxing Council is expected to land in Gibraltar today to take part in the 43rd annual convention of the sport’s ruling body at the brand new ‘Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones’ in La Linea between 2nd-8th October.

A spokesman for the ayuntamiento that is hosting the event, highlighted the importance of the occasion and said it would give La Linea an opportunity for major international promotion.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

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Grieving family stress concern over smoking culture at KGV

• Doctors ‘not heeding mental patients as they should’ – claim parents

The parents of a 35-year old woman who died of lung cancer have alleged “serious shortcomings” in the care she received from the Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA), in particular during her time as a patient in the King George V mental hospital.

Mario and Violeta Apap said their daughter Geraldine became a chain smoker while she was a patient at the KGV.

They claim that she was encouraged to smoke as a way of passing time and, although there is no evidence that her cancer was caused by smoking, describe this as “a serious failing”.

In a letter to this newspaper, they also maintain that not enough credence was given to her complaints of pain because she was a long-term mental patient with a history of complex medical problems.

Between November last year and March this year, doctors carried out several X-rays and tests on Miss Apap. Early this year they diagnosed pneumonia but the cancer, one of the most aggressive types known, was only detected after Miss Apap’s condition deteriorated and a CT scan was carried out. She died on April 19th, just over a month later.

Mr and Mrs Apap believe their daughter’s life might have been prolonged, perhaps even saved, had doctors conducted the scan and detected the cancer at an earlier stage, as they had urged.

“We believe if she had been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier there would have been a real chance of her being treated successfully or living longer,” they write in today’s Chronicle.

“We further believe that if she had not been a KGV patient her complaints would have been listened to by the doctors more closely.

We therefore are firmly of the view that our daughter’s medical treatment suffered because she was a mental patient.

That is unacceptable and a situation that must never be repeated.”

The GHA, in common with other health authorities, does not comment publicly on individual cases. But an investigation into a complaint filed by the family of Miss Apap concluded that doctors and staff had acted properly throughout this case. In its response to the Apap family, the authority said that Geraldine had been urged to smoke less while she was at the KGV. It also highlighted that chest X-rays carried out late in November 2004 showed no abnormality in Miss Apap’s lung.

The GHA investigation also found that even if the CT scan had been carried out at an earlier date, the eventual outcome would have been the same. The initial reluctance to carry out a scan, the GHA added, was because of the high radiation dose that patients undergoing such tests are exposed to.

An independent medical source contacted by the Chronicle backed that assessment and said such scans would only be carried after other avenues of diagnosis had been exhausted.

Although the GHA has defended the actions of its staff in this case, there is an underlying acceptance of the need to improve many aspects of mental health services in Gibraltar.

In its response to the Apap family, the GHA said it was currently conducting a review of these services to move from an institutional approach to mental healthcare to a more therapeutic approach.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Juarez criticises lack of 'home' info on Submarine arrival

Mayor of La Línea Juan Carlos Juárez has said he found out about the arrival to Gibraltar of the nuclear submarine HMS Trenchant through the newspapers.

Sr Juarez also criticised the Spanish Foreign Ministry (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores MAE) for “not officially informing the mayor of the city closest to the British colony,” about the arrival of the vessel.

The mayor also reiterated the unpopularity of these visits in the Campo area.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

Related Article:

27 September 2005 - Nuclear powered submarine HMS Trenchant visits Gibraltar

View Images in our Gibraltar Pictures Gallery

CEPSA expands operations in the Campo

Spanish oil company Cepsa refinery plans to expand its refinery in the Campo de Gibraltar as part of a broader investment plan worth 1.2 billion Euros.

The company said it would build a new vacuum distillation unit and upgrade the existing mild hydrocracker conversion unit at its local refinery in order to increase production of fuels such as kerosene and diesel, known in the industry as ‘middle distillates’.

Additional expansion is also envisaged at the company’s ‘La Rabida’ refinery in Huelva.

Once complete, Cepsa’s total distillation capacity will exceed 25 million tons of crude oil per year, which will increase middle distillate production by 2.7 million tons per year.

The move is largely in response to a growing shortage of kerosene and diesel on the European petroleum product market, and which in Spain’s case requires importing 13 million tons of these products annually.

Cepsa will also earmark funds towards enhancing energy efficiency at its refineries to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and adapt its facilities to the European Union’s Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive, increasing the production of raw materials for its petrochemicals segment and optimising its productive processes, the company said in a statement.

From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801

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View Images in our Gibraltar Pictures Gallery

The Iberian Peninsula and its peopling by Hominids

The sixth Iberian Quaternary Congress was officially opened by Fabian Vinet, Minister for Heritage, Culture, Youth and Sport, at the John Mackintosh Hall on Monday.

The meeting opened with a keynote speech by Professor Jose Sebastian Carrion of the University of Murcia.

Professor Carrion’s Presentation highlighted the role of the southernmost part of the Iberian Peninsula as a refugium for plant and animal species during the glaciations of the last two million years. He drew on evidence from Gibraltar to highlight the key importance of the Rock in these studies.

The morning session concentrat