Gibraltar
 

What do we think of this?
BBC News - UK 'reviewing' Gibraltar navy options following Spanish incident

Sun.

The British Gov't doesn't have the balls to call the Spaniard's bluff.

How many times have they done it now ?

They should take a leaf out the Iranians book, board them, seize the vessel and parade them on TV in really badly fitting suits. Then deport them.

Either that or see how long a fire hose takes to sink it. :E

It is time that UK PLC grew a set over this the Spaniards are starting to take the pi$$. They would probably only need to sink one.

Ivor.

I don't think it's entirely reasonable for us to attack a Spanish vessel just because it's in our waters, after all they're NATO allies & fellow members of the EU.

Those same facts should make them behave in a very different manner to Gibraltar though.

Ken

If the UK sent a warship into Spanish waters and were requested to leave
and didn't, they might not fire on it but I would bet the response would
be a lot more robust than the sitting off and doing nothing the UK does.

OK, if you don't want to sink it, send in the Marines to board it, take control
and steer it out of the waters and then leave, which is perfectly legal.

500,

Agree, I know sinking it would be a little extreme but it would bring a smile to my face:E. Single warning and if they don't comply board the vessel and impound it, however if the Guardia Civil vessels get involved in UK waters the it really is game on.

Ivor

"but it would bring a smile to my face"

It would mine as well :ok:


Are the "Guardia Civil vessels" really going to get that involved
against a British warship and a Company of British Marines ?

When the push comes to the shove, I somehow doubt it.

I see now that the Gibraltar Football Association has been accepted by FIFA.

However, during the next Euro Qualifiers they are not allowed to be drawn in the same group as Spain. I wonder why.

Their 'home' games will be played in Portugal until a suitable stadium is built.:8

Time to remind them that Trafalgar is just up the road to the west.

Perhaps we can also remind them what happened at Taranto - then contact the might of the Fleet Air Arm Museum to ferry our remaining torpedo strike asset. I'm sure we can arrange a moonlit night to sink a fishing boat . . . the transit time might be just manageable too.

That'll learn 'em.

A couple of limpet mines on the hull for a 0900 detonation
with suitable fireball and sinking clearly visible from Spain !

Maybe the French could do it ;)

Gibraltar
 

Yes! A scientific research vessel is in our territorial waters! Let's destroy it and kill all on board.

A very "George Dubya" approach to international diplomacy guys...

Anyway, I hardly think the presence of an oceanographic research vessel in British territorial waters can be described as "provocative", as if it were brimming with weapons or dumping toxic waste.

Unlawful yes, but let's have some perspective with regards to a proportioned response and no more talk of sinking the ships of one of our close European allies.

jc

So why do the Spanish have to send multiple (I think it was 3)
ARMED Guardia Civil vessels along to support it ????????

BTW, Up to 40 incursions a month ???

That is what I call taking the piss as someone above said it so well.

Sink them! Arrest them! Fire shots!?? NO NO NO, that's exactly what they want!

why this is happening? The Spanish economy is an utter shambles, unemployment is through the roof especially amongst the young, the govt are facing corruption scandals and making a total hash of dealing with these problems. They desperately want a reaction, footage of warships, military action, better still an over-reaction!

Gibraltar
 

I wouldn't believe all you read in the papers or online media. About the most reliable is the BBC but they are very good at purporting to have an impartial take on matters.

As for armed escorts, all security services in Spain are armed, including your shopping centre "mall cops". The Guardia Civil fulfil the role of the coast guard, and given the long history of naval "spats" between the two countries, why not have an escort in to and out of the waters. I'm not saying the incursion was legal under the laws of the sea as it clearly was not but an incursion by warship and a scientific vessel are two very different matters. I'm just suggesting we don't get all "American" and gung-ho about it.

Give 'em what they want - I mean it's not as if our military are busy is it?

You guys lost the concept of tongue in cheek irony or what?

Get your heads out of your arses - the view is much better. Thanks for the lessons in international diplomacy too, I don't know how we've managed all these years without your acute insights.

Gibraltar
 

And the smuggling of tobacco from Morocco to Gib and in to Spain is a big hole in the Spanish treasury, hence the increased border checks which seemed to spark the heightened tensions.

Many Gibraltarians have had a cushy deal since the 80s, going to Spain to work, buy property and use the healthcare system but without necessarily doing it above board with regards to Spanish tax law.

The prime minister said they're plugging the leaks everywhere which is fair enough I suppose. It's what we'd do if we were in that much trouble.

DD and jc
Totally agree but try not to upset the armchair admirals.

Substitute that word with "Argentinian", and there you have it.

Anyway, the UK government will always be looking over its shoulder at the million plus expats, and property owners in Spain, before taking any action.