Gibraltar denounced to a United Nations Consultative Commission on Friday the ‘hypocrisy of Spanish diplomacy’.
Gibraltar Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo told the United Nations that Spain is scared to test its ‘feeble claims’ in Court, whether in respect of Gibraltar’s undisputed right to self determination or its undisputable waters.
He made the charge on Friday before the United Nations Committee of 24 as he challenged Madrid to take these issues to the appropriate international courts.
This group, currently presided over by the Ecuadorian, was set up in 1961 to protect territories with a special status, such as Gibraltar, the Falklands or the Western Sahara. It makes recommendations, but they are not legally binding.
Picardo said Gibraltar was confident of success and was equally confident in the assertion that ‘Open your eyes, Gibraltar will never be Spanish’.
He said Spain should be following Gibraltar into the 21st century and drop its claim.
‘Since the representatives of General Franco’s fascist regime gave us their view, and to the modern age of the democratic Spain, the substance of the message from Madrid has changed very little’, he said.
‘How can Spain in the 21st century adopt an attitude from the 18th century?’. He said that the Spanish Ministry seems to be ignoring the failures of the past, and is working hard to make sure of even more failures in the future.
FULL TEXT OF ADDRESS TO THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE OF 24
by GIBRALTAR CHIEF MINISTER FABIAN PICARDO: see below:
http://www.panorama.gi/localnews/headlines.php?action=view_article&article=8958&offset=0
June 16 - Typically Spanish
