UK accuses Spain of military provocation in Gibraltar
Iran Press TV
Sat Nov 2, 2013 4:8PM GMT
Britain has accused Spain of carrying out military maneuvers in the waters of the disputed British-held territory of Gibraltar.
In a statement released on Friday, Britain's Ministry of Defence said a Spanish Guardia Civil patrol boat 'maneuvered in a dangerous and provocative manner' near Royal Navy ships within Gibraltar waters and struck one of the British vessels on Wednesday.
The statement also added that London would raise the issue "at the highest level" with Madrid.
The "minor" collision off Gibraltar happened when the Spanish boat Rio Tormes sailed too close to a Royal Navy ship, but no shots were fired.
Earlier in September, Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy accused the UK government of disregarding the process of decolonization of the disputed territory approved by the United Nations in the 1960s.
In a speech before the UN General Assembly in New York, Rajoy said London clings to its imperial past and described Gibraltar as an "anachronism" that causes "inconvenience" to citizens of the territory.
The latest tensions between Spain and Britain arose in mid-July after authorities in Gibraltar dumped 70 blocks of concrete in waters close the territory's coast, aimed at creating an artificial reef.
However, Spain denounced the action as "an environmental crime," saying the blocks have made it impossible for Spanish fishing boats to work in the area.
In response, Madrid imposed strict border controls on vehicles coming to or leaving the so-called Rock, creating long queues for workers and tourists entering Gibraltar.
Gibraltar is one of the British Overseas Territories, which is on the United Nations list of areas waiting decolonization.
The British territory was seized from Spain in 1713 and remains a bone of contention between the two European countries.
SSM/SS/HE
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