Goodness me how wrong they are about the Spanish. They really believe that Spain is their amigo; they share a symbiosis and sympathy for a country they believe hard done by a 300 year old Treaty that made them give up their favourite toy i.e. Gibraltar. The truth of the matter is, that apart from a host of Spanish journalists and ex diplomats who relish their visits to the old boys clubs in London and who share intimate working groups; where they pretend to work out their terribly clever schemes on how to manage Gibraltar “a la Española;” the rest of them, politicians in particular, dislike England with a passion.
DOUBLE STANDARDS
But this is nothing new. There is not one single book in Spanish print that speaks well of their supposed allies; including the famous “El Idearium” by Ganivet where “lo visten de todo menos bonito”. So why this craving to satisfy Spain’s desires and ambitions, to the detriment of ours? Think about it. It has been noted by historians that the descendants of those very same people which made up the foreign labour workforce brought in by the British authorities in the 18th century, have throughout the ages, expressed undying loyalty to the Crown and passionately expressed their wish to maintain an association with her to this day.
Why, if not, did we vote in 1969 to remain British, knowing that this action would not please Franco? With the end result of finding ourselves caged in like animals; in an area of three and a half square miles; with no provisions; nor workforce and left to rot by Franco in splendid isolation. Does this not merit some kind of milk of human kindness sentiment from the English media? What is this? A deep rooted case of the English hating the English and taking it out on us? I mean, we vote to remain in the EU and now the EU says it is going to punish us for it? What the hell is going on here?
POLITICAL BLINDNESS
Our colonial masters only saw what they wanted to see and still today the Foreign Office continues to be beguiled by them. They have no idea of who they are, or what they stand for and if they do; By God they have no shame. In one of the many books written about us like that of Maurice Harvey’s, titled “Gibraltar” in 1996, we find a perfect example of this. The author goes as far as saying that because Spain is a net recipient of European funds and naturally vulnerable to EC sanctions (this is before the EU, but just as significant) they would not risk antagonising the other member nations with such an overt dispute with Britain, (note) even though the latter is hardly the toast of Brussels; something which continues to be the case. Antagonise? Far from it. Just as in 1940 the prominent Italian fascist, Gayda, together with the historic German newspaper, “The Berliner”, both professed “Gibraltar volverá ser Español”.
FRENCH FURY
In all this time nothing much has changed; Spain has once again found support in countries that apparently share similar ideals, this time in the EU ranks. Enter one Michel Barnier; a Gaullist at the tender age of fifteen. Remember De Gaulle? He was only someone who disliked the Brits with a passion. Well, Barnier carries a chip on his shoulder on account of a move by Britain which lost him a valuable job and blames them for it; plus he served under Barroso; no best friend of the English. I ask, are we being used to pay for their resentment against the English?
To boot, Mr Harvey adds: “But if Britain was no longer a member of the EC – who knows?” which is exactly the same question that we are asking ourselves at present with Brexit. Once more we get that recognisable sick feeling of old in the stomach, which we truly thought had gone away forever. They say that a Spaniard, though living abroad, “continua siendo Español por esencia.” Something I have repeated ad nauseam but in different words. And what is it that the Español has heard all his life; in school; at home; or in the thousands of Spanish books where Gibraltar is mentioned? Why, little pearls like those found in Alberca`s book “Gibraltar y la Guerra Civil Española” which includes a quote from the diplomat, Salvador de Madariaga; “If there is a Spaniard who affirms that Spain does not want Gibraltar, they would be doing so under their own responsibility. The fact cannot even be open for discussion. “Spain can in no way desist from wanting it.” This is what we have to live with.
BRITISH RESCUE
Rajoy congratulates Barnier and May for agreements reached, which will minimise the costs of Brexit and thanks them for their efforts on everyone’s behalf. His country is “patas pa riba!” but he is happy. He simply continues to add fuel to our fire and that of the Catalans as he visualises his country’s financial black hole getting smaller and smaller; whilst the UK`s contribution come punishment bill for leaving the EU, grows bigger and bigger. The English once more are coming to their rescue; because that is where a large portion of the monies will go, we have not doubt about that.
If only the UK could get all their brains in one basket, they might realise that this is the perfect time to “buy them off;” That’s right. Pay them off to leave us alone, just like they were paid off during World War II. According to a 2008 book, Winston Churchill authorised MI6 to offer financial bribes to the tune of 200 million dollars to Spanish military ship owners and other agents, to keep Spain out of the war. In Spain, money talks, perhaps loudest than in any other country; their rampant corruption in Government and in business is proof of that.
22-01-18 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR