Developing situation in Gibraltar between Royal Navy and Spanish Navy

Is it actually 'spain' who are provoking this, or is it just a few random fishing boats that are being stupid.
Click to expand...

Both.

Fishermen do not have the power to "magically" increase the border queues in and out of Gibraltar by checking every single car exiting Gibraltar, therefore creating huge tailbacks in Gibraltar for the past week. Ridiculous in this day and age, but oh so politically motivated. Sad, but we're used to this attitude by the Spanish Government in Gib. It pretty much brings the north side of town to a standstill, with people waiting 3-6 hours to cross around 1km. The irony is that there are around 5-8000 Spanish workers in Gibraltar (Gib population = 30k), whilst there are approximately 35k unemployed in La Linea (Town across the Border, population 100k). Go on, bite the hand that feeds you...and further mess up your own population by not allowing them free access to their jobs. The irony is that there is a Demonstration on the Spanish side of the Border, by Spanish Citizens, protesting against their Government's stance.

This latest dispute ostensibly stems from Current Gibraltarian gov not allowing Spanish Fishermen to fish with illegal nets in British Waters, which naturally they do not recognize, to the point of Civil Guard Vessels entering British Waters to "protect" their fishing vessels.

It's all a smokescreen by the current Spanish Government to deflect from their real social and economic issues. Hey, let's just play the good old 300+ year old Gibraltar card again...
 
Wont get to that, both are NATO members.

Incredibly frustrating as a local seeing the constant pressure applied by Spain though. We're a tough lot down here though, 300 years of the same thing kinda does that to you :D
 
Witor said:
Wont get to that, both are NATO members.
Click to expand...

This is what confused me as surely the UK and Spain are fairly close allies and partners due to their respective geographical locations and NATO membership. Wouldn't exactly call an armed confrontation friendly..
Anyone noticed how this hasn't come up in the UK press at all?
 
It has, but it doesnt seem that newsworthy to the UK.

I repeat, when it comes to Gibraltar, Spain is like a Bull in a China Shop, partial pun intended. It's like Gib is seared in their National Psychi...what better way to deflect from Massive Unemployment, Flagging economy et all, by Bringing up the issue...again.

Reassuring to know, after watching Spanish TV, that at least some of their population actually see it for what it is. A smokescreen.
 
We should set alight a couple of ships & let the wind blow them into the Spanish fleet.
 
The op is a few decades late. This has been happening for years. But since it doesn't cause any sort of problems for those thar live in the uk, its slips the radar.
 
dalin80 said:
Purely for interest rather then reality as neither side wants any conflict and the spanish definitely couldn't afford it.

Both sides operate a similar number of ships RN-98 SN-95 but the RN has a significantly higher overall tonnage (350,000 vs 250,000 if memory serves) as most of the ships are bigger. We have much more in the way of advanced attack subs but a similar fleet structure. The RN are often considered top be one of the best trained and exercised forces in the world while the spanish reputation is not as great, although trusting reputations cant bite your in the backside.

The spanish operate a harrier carrier very similar in size and role as the ark royal until the government decided that the UK should be seen as the kitten of the seas

Hopefully if anything does kick off the spanish would have the decency to wait 10 years for our carriers and subs to be ready, presuming the government doesn't sell them off too.

But on the other side the Spanish would have home game advantage, it would be a very interesting strategy game match up but no one on any side wants any conflict. It would be a disaster for all involved if diplomatic relations were damaged over a couple of idiot fishermen. Also as a sidenote HMS Sabre being listed as the main ship in the article is barely much more then a fishing boat itself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scimitar_class_patrol_vessel
Click to expand...


Having no aircraft carriers isn't too much of a problem is we were going to war with Spain(Never going to happen but..) because it only takes an hour or so for fighters to fly from the UK to Spain. Our main problem would be if the war in the Falklands resumed because the massive distance means it would take ages for planes to travel and they would only be able to spend a tiny amount of time there before having to fly back to refuel.

All we need is to find someone with the last name of Drake, make them an admiral and then the Spanish won't dare to trouble us again...


4T5 said:
We should set alight a couple of ships & let the wind blow them into the Spanish fleet.
Click to expand...

Or do this..
 
KatanaDV20 said:
Wasnt there some trouble in the Irish Sea a couple of years ago when Spanish fishing boats were chugging about in Irish waters? I forget if it was illegal but the local fishing fleet were not happy and I seem to remember they got into a spat and a Royal Navy ship had to go in and break it up.
Click to expand...

im pretty sure it was more like them trying to board english trawlers and then forgetting they are a nation of softies and getting their bums kicked.

cod wars from the 80s.
 
So basically it's the Falklands except with finishing instead of potential oil

We will all be in for a rip roaring time to hear George Galloways views on sovereignty all over again -_-
 
Just send the package holidays in early and have a 50% off sale, We will destroy them from the inside out, like a Fosters fuelled cancer.
 
Efour2 said:
Just send the package holidays in early and have a 50% off sale, We will destroy them from the inside out, like a Fosters fuelled cancer.
Click to expand...

Just send the north east there all expenses paid. They will be jumping in the sea to get away from them . . . .
 
Duke said:
Nuke from orbit, its the only way to be sure.
Click to expand...

Think of the monkeys man!

gibraltar_monkey_24341t.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom