[A-List] Spanish imperialism: Gibraltar stalemate

[Keaney Michael]

While it might play well with UK voters that the Spanish government is
being "too unreasonable", or that Jack Straw is being "tough", there is
another reason why the clear intention of the British state to
relinquish Gibraltar is being held up. Spain remains in possession of
two enclaves in Morocco, Ceuta and Mellila, as well as a few uninhabited
islands to the north. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that a
reincorporated Gibraltar would fan any flames that an uppity Moroccan
government aspiring to stoke nationalist fervour (in order to sidetrack
domestic opposition, perhaps) might suddenly claim sovereignty over
these areas. Ceuta and Mellila are also employed by the Spanish as
immigration detention centres. And Tony may have decided that Aznar is
no longer worth cosying up to, given the Spanish presidency of the EU
has passed, and now the post-Felipe Gonzales "socialists" are as
"modernised" as "New Labour", and looking stronger contenders for the
next election. Time to revive the Network for Progressive Governance,
perhaps.


Spanish reshuffle halts Gibraltar talks
By Nigel Morris, Political Correspondent
The Independent, 11 July 2002

Talks between Britain and Spain on Gibraltar scheduled for tomorrow were
postponed last night amid a deepening diplomatic crisis over the
colony's future. The Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, signalled
his intense anger at backpedalling by Britain on an earlier
understanding that Gibraltarians could not veto any agreement between
London and Madrid.

Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, had been due to meet his Spanish
counterpart, Josep Pique, in Madrid in a final effort to achieve a
breakthrough. But Mr Pique lost his job in a cabinet reshuffle this week
and was replaced by Ana Palacio, who is not known to have expressed a
view on the decades-old dispute.

London and Madrid had pledged to reach an agreement on Gibraltar by the
summer, but fears are growing in both capitals that it will have to be
shelved until the autumn.

The Foreign Secretary had hoped to have substantial progress to report
to MPs before the parliamentary recess begins on 24 July. But that looks
increasingly unlikely as Ms Palacio reads herself into her new job.

The Independent has learnt that Britain's firm commitment to put a deal
to a referendum of Gibraltar's 30,000 residents has emerged as the
biggest sticking-point in negotiations. The Government has promised that
Britain will be bound by the outcome of the vote, but Spain wants any
agreement to remain on the table even if it is rejected by
Gibraltarians. Spain is resisting Britain's demand to retain control of
military bases. It is also refusing to drop its constitutional claim on
Gibraltar whatever the outcome of the talks.

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Aznar brings in hardliners to prop up government
By Elizabeth Nash in Madrid
The Independent, 11 July 2002

Spain's new ministerial team was sworn in yesterday after Jose Maria
Aznar's biggest cabinet reshuffle in his six-year conservative
government.

The change, which notably brings in new faces as foreign, justice and
interior ministers, comes as the Popular Party government faces mounting
criticism and a revival of the opposition Socialists.

Mr Aznar consolidated the position of his closest associates in the
surprise reshuffle but he introduced scant new blood and few clues to a
successor - Mr Aznar says he will stand down in 2004.

Most striking is the demotion of Josep Pique who, as Foreign Minister,
was deemed to have performed disappointingly, failing to have bathed
Spain's recently concluded EU presidency in the international lustre Mr
Aznar had hoped.

But Mr Pique also appears to have been punished for failing to deliver a
much-vaunted agreement on Gibraltar. A deal that Mr Aznar hoped would be
struck this summer and immortalise his name in history seems as far away
as ever.

Spanish commentators say Mr Aznar needs Mr Pique, a Catalan, to shore up
party support in Catalonia ahead of elections next year.

Ana de Palacio - an MEP and sister of European commissioner Loyola de
Palacio - takes over from Mr Pique, who is shunted to the Ministry of
Science and Technology to grapple with the troubled telecommunications
industry. Ms Palacio, admired in Brussels for her tenacity against
cancer, was offered the post only after a Catalan nationalist leader,
Miquel Roca, turned it down.

Ms de Palacio was applauded by her fellow parliamentarians in Strasbourg
when she appeared before them completely bald, having decided against
wearing a wig despite the obvious effects of chemotherapy.

A rising star, Angel Acebes, the hardline Justice Minister who steered
on to the statute book a controversial Political Parties Law -
tailor-made to promote the banning of the pro-Eta Batasuna party -
becomes Interior Minister.

He will be in charge of implementing security measures against Eta
terrorists and will be asked for ideas to solve the Basque conflict, the
government's biggest challenge.

The floppy-haired government spokesman, Pio Cabanillas, was sacked
shortly after announcing to an incredulous nation that no general strike
occurred on 20 June and everything operated normally. The Labour
Minister, Juan Carlos Aparicio, who defended until the end the strict
employment law that prompted the first general strike in nearly a
decade, has also gone.

Another victim was the health minister, Celia Villalobos, who was
criticised for having no medical background. Her successor, Ana Pastor,
is a doctor.

Rodrigo Rato at economy, and Mariano Rajoy who leaves interior to become
deputy prime minister consolidate their position as heavyweights.

Mr Aznar is on record as saying he will not seek a third term in
elections he must call by the spring of 2004.

Spanish commentators said Mr Aznar wanted to go into regional and
municipal elections with a fresh slate and a team packed with big
hitters.