There is a growing disquiet from the other side of the Gibraltar Frontier in the way the Gibraltar Government has intensified its efforts to expose the totally disproportionate and sometimes inhumane manner in which the Spanish Government practically on a daily basis imposes its ant-Gibraltar sanctions at a so called EU Frontier.
Panorama understands from informed sources on the Spanish side of the border that not only the regional government but as far afield as Madrid are now seriously monitoring with a growing level of unease the increased strategic frontier focus by the Government regarding the frontier situation. Particularly in exposing Spain’s continued hard-line and totally disproportionate attitude, towards cross-frontier traffic, including the many complaints that have been received by the European Commission by Nationals from many parts of the EU.
EU Commissioner Confirms Level of Frontier Complaints Received in Brussels
This exact point was confirmed at the highest level during the recent visit by the Gibraltar Delegation to Brussels when Cecilia Malmström ,the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, responsible for police cooperation, border control, asylum and migration who noted that many complaints had been received directly by her department form EU citizens regarding the Gibraltar –Spanish frontier and the disproportionate traffic delays.
Most people are well aware of the Spanish tactics by their official agencies at the Frontier and how physically easy, it is for them to create queues stretching back into Gibraltar by systematically applying the desired amount of pressure at the bottleneck to the frontier exit crossing!
In recent months the Government have implemented what appears to be a strategic approach to this everyday but important political issue that affects not only the local population but visiting tourists and many thousands of Spanish cross-frontier workers who are also fed up by the Spanish government’s fascist style management of a modern international frontier.
The Government’s three prong frontier strategy started late last year when they installed ‘CCTV Camera’s’ this after an absence of a number of years.
Unlike the past, modern digital technology now plays a major part in monitoring frontier movement, but predominantly the frontier traffic hold-ups that are deliberately applied by official Spanish agencies by orders from MADRID.
Since December when the Government installed a set of cameras strategically placed to monitor on a 24/7 basis the frontier traffic activity which through digital and internet technology can now be witnessed and recorded anywhere in the world not only in EU.
Gibraltar Frontier Cameras
The Government said at the time that this type monitoring would serve a dual purpose: it would allow people wishing to go into Spain to check the length of the queue and it would also provide useful evidence for the EU Commission.
As it turned out the cameras became popular and not only in Gibraltar
In the first month of the frontier cameras’ operation, the website had over 100,000 hits, of which 45,000 were from Gibraltar, 44,000 from Spain (more of that later) and 7,500 from UK. Interestingly, there were also hundreds of hits from each of USA, Germany, Denmark, France, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland and even New Zealand!
Government Notice Explain Real Reasons for Frontier Queues!
The next part of the frontier strategy involved far less technology, but just as an effective means of explaining and transmitting who is really to blame for the plight of those caught up or stuck in the frontier traffic.
The erection and installation of signs or notice boards have been carefully located to enable everyone leaving Gibraltar in no doubt just who is to blame!
The signs are written in English, Spanish and French. There is one sign that even informs frustrated motorists where they can register their complaints. The sign gives full details of the Spanish Foreign Ministry including telephone numbers.
The European Commission which also includes similar details and ECAS the European Citizens Action Service.
Certainly the notice boards have so far proved effective, I have seen tourist take a photo of the boards where they must later check the information on the board to register a complaint to the various entities mentioned.
Direct Protest to the European Commission!
The Government last week took the Frontier issue direct to the heart of European Politics when as part of the visit to lobby EU Commissioners and MEPs regarding Gibraltar and issues with Spain the Government also presented its case to high-profile and influential EU Commissioners taking a full dossier and press cuttings for the EU’s perusal.
Although the Commission indicated they are aware of the underlying problems to long standing problem regarding frontier delays, I believe not enough material can in my view be sufficient to expose the Spaniards for what they are.
This must be constantly transmitted to Brussels and elsewhere with evidence continuously updated. In fact I will go further, I even think that gathering this type of evidence should be a full-time role for some department or entity!
The Spanish now appear to be getting all flustered by all the attention being focused on their malicious actions at the frontier, something they can no longer hide from the prying eyes of the world.
Although something tells me that things will not change dramatically.
This particular Spanish Government has demonstrated time and again the little respect and EU etiquette it adopts, not only on Gibraltar related matters but in other areas.
In my opinion it will have to be down to people at the EU Commission who will eventually have to apply the right amount of pressure to put Spain on an EU straight and narrow path and for it to act responsibly … IF THAT’S POSSIBLE!
by Leo Olivero 02-04-13
Panorama Gibraltar
