Self-determination and the United Nations

THE Chief Minister spoke to Committee 24 at the United Nations in New York after having to hurriedly rewrite his speech following a statement concerning sovereignty.

This particular committee reviews the situation of colonisation around the world and has in the past tended to show some sympathy with the Spanish position.

What infuriated the delegation from Gibraltar was the fact that the Chairman of the committee had stated that representatives would not travel to the Rock due to the sovereignty issue.

Mr Picardo stoutly rejected the concept of a sovereignty matter as the people of Gibraltar had made it clear on numerous occasions, including a referendum in 1967 and a vote on the constitution that the people of Gibraltar wanted to remain British.

He stated that Gibraltar should have seized to be considered a colony 50 years ago after the 1967 sovereignty referendum and that the committee which was supposed to promote the concept of self-determination was actually failing in its duties.

Gibraltar is part of the European Union through the UK and despite its wish to remain within the EU, recognises that it will have to be part of Brexit but equally understands that Spain looks to make political capital from this.

The Chief Minister made it clear that the people of Gibraltar reject any suggestion of dual sovereignty, although as a major employer of Spanish citizens in the area, it would welcome a return to tri-partite discussions. Britain and Gibraltar are happy to discuss the situation with Spain but sadly Spain remains intransigent.