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2018
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January 4th - January 16th 2018
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Vol. 3 Issue 61 www.gibraltarolivepress.com January 4th - January 16th 2018
Battle stations! Spain boasts it has ‘upper hand’ over the Rock as round two Brexit talks begin
By Laurence Dollimore
Spy in the sky SPAIN’s tax agency will invest €500,000 in drones in an effort to clamp down on illegal smuggling in Gibraltar and Andorra. The Agencia Tributaria have decided enough is enough and are investing the money in drones as well as hidden camera technology to catch smugglers in the act. Gibraltar has long been a hotbed of illegal cigarette trafficking while Andorra is the main thoroughfare for money mules to bring in undeclared wads of cash. Once potential smugglers are identified, the drones will track them, allowing authorities to close in. The Rock will be a contentious issue due to previous incidents with the airport being so close to security checkpoints. However, in Andorra it is the opposite as smugglers can go through any number of routes. Camouflaged devices, 360-degree video and what Spanish authorities describe as an ‘arsenal of cameras’ that operate in day and night should help stem the flow of criminal activity.
SPAIN has ‘won the first battle’ over Gibraltar and ‘has the upper hand’ going into Brexit negotiations, a senior official in Madrid has boasted. It comes after Spain secured veto power over any decision made in Brexit negotiations regarding the Rock last year, and just weeks before Gibraltar is said to become the focus of the talks.
Enshrined
In a major concession to Spain, a guideline document agreed between the bloc and the UK last May enshrined that ‘after the United Kingdom leaves the Union, no agreement between the EU and the UK may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the UK.’ But as the EU’s top negotiator Michel Barnier is set to reaffirm Spain’s power to
FEARS: Of Gibraltar being used as a bargaining chip to undermine Brexit talks interfere with the territory, officials in the country have claimed the move as a ‘victory’ that will give them the edge in round two of Brexit negotiations. The British Overseas Territory has been in the sights of successive Spanish government’s since the Treaty of Utrecht in the 18th century,
which handed the rocky outpost to the British. A senior official told the press his country was ‘not in a hurry’ when it came to forging a position on Gibraltar. He added: “We don’t want to give the impression that we are rushing into such a delicate situation but we have
won the first battle and now have the upper hand.” It comes after former UK Chancellor and Tory MP Ken Clarke claimed Gibraltar will be the real hurdle of the Brexit process as it ‘will make the Irish problem look like a picnic’ if the UK opts to leave the single market. Deputy Chief Minister of
Gibraltar Joseph Garcia accused Spain of seeking to use Brexit to advance its 300 year-old claim to the territory, attacking the EU for ‘totally unacceptable’ discrimination against its proEuropean people. Under the guidelines, a separate two-year transition phase for Gibraltar will need to be negotiated directly between the governments in London and Madrid. The UK fears Spain will threaten to veto efforts to water down a Brexit transition deal that businesses want if Theresa May refuses to negotiate a separate deal to cover the disputed territory. “For us, the view that Brussels has put forward is totally unacceptable,” Garcia said. “It is shameful that these pro-European people in Gibraltar should be treated by the European Union in this way.” Crunch talks will resume with the EU this month.
First Class THE characters from Game of Thrones will feature on a new series of stamps, Royal Mail has announced. The collection of 15 first class stamps will showcase British contributions to the hit HBO show including British actors and Ireland as the main filming location. WEBSITE
Brexit dominated from the beginning as Chief Minister Fabian Picardo flew to London for ‘detailed’ talks with PM Theresa May. This international appeal was echoed in the Gibraltar Calling festival which was beamed out to the world from Victoria Stadium by MTV. While a new care centre opened to help residents in Gibraltar struggling w i t h dementia and local
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Gibraltar Olive Press represents the local and expatriate communities working or living on the Rock with 10,000 copies distributed fortnightly.
OPINION Foot soldiers If Ken Clarke’s assertion that Gibraltar negotiations would make the ‘Irish problem look like a picnic’ then we should all batten down the hatches. Spain-Gibraltar relations have always been a thorny issue and for the Spanish government to boast about their win is just pure provocation. And although the military will never be involved, it is sure to slow and poison the already toxic Brexit chalice. As the real battle is soon to come, both Spain and the UK need to be working together to help ease trade talks with patience a key virtue. Ireland and Gibraltar are branches of the same tree but each requires a different approach, a dynamic view with the aim of improving both territories. Idealistic it may be but it is the only way to pamper the Brexit process.
MAYFAIR ONMAIN
Gibraltar’s luxury hair salon experience where quality & service matter
Pedaling on Cycling is the best way to get fit this new year. Not as exhaustive as running, it allows you to talk to friends on the bike and lycra isn’t always a necessity unless you’re a real keen-bean. That is why the announcement of four more cycling events on the Rock is sure to make people feel good as they shake off those back-to-work blues. Events are also a great way to inspire the next generation of cyclists, from schools to fitness clubs. With only one club affiliated to the Gibraltar Cycling Association there is so much room to grow in time for the Island Games in 2019.
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We weeded out several Costa del Sol cronies again this
G
www.gibraltarolivepress.com elebrating
ibraltar National Day
iv e r S
50
September 13th - September
26th 2017
we are, Britishwe stay
National Day took on added importance this year as it too celebrated its 50th anniversary of Gibraltarians choosing to be British in a 1967 referendum. ‘British we are, British we stay’ was the mantra that
Jed Neill takes in the flavour of National Day in Gibraltar
‘
year, from dodgy CEOs to con-
BRITISH we are, British we stay’, was the mantra that branded Gibraltarians as, definitively, when 99% of them voted to remain British subjects part of the United Kingdom in 1967. The 50th anniversary of Gibraltar National was an extension of that self-determinationDay on Sunday that has come to shape the lives of those on the Rock. Despite mounting pressures, including tested Spanish-Gibraltar border they Brexit and the conremain a small but mighty force in the region. Under a sea of red and white the UK sa May sent a video message to the Prime Minister ThereGrand Casemates Square, saying: “Asmass of spectators in leave the European Union, Gibraltar the UK negotiates to will be fully involved. “As we face the opportunities and challenges to come, the UK will continue to stand firmly beside “We will resolutely safeguard Gibraltar,you. its people and its economy and Gibraltar will remain it chooses to do so,” she said to a British for as long as growing chorus of applause. Next up came a speech from the leader of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo who told thousands of celebrating locals: “The
men like Nigel Goldman. We campaigned for greener spaces, safer medicines and helped homeless expats find their feet again. As we enter our 11th year, we vow to be the only paper to bring you exclusive-packed issues every fortnight, with real,
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This month was all about money as ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ couple did a runner after scamming Gibraltarian workers out of thousands. While a £31.5 million cash injection meant football was coming home for Gibraltarians. Being one of the largest investments in the Rock for some time and with the pitches
June
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A wrongful arrest meant the summer kicked off in dramatic fashion. A Gibraltarian father claimed two teenagers were kidnapped and tortured over a £1.5 million harbour robbery. Similar harbours were also blamed for high levels of pollution in the sea with an exclusive look at the problems plaguing the Rock’s beaches as residents saw raw sewage pour into the sea. History came knocking for the Rock, whose Gorham Cave Complexes are putting a new
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BE ‘APPY! Fish was very much back on the menu as our Gibraltar fisherman ‘net-mare’ caught the eye of multiple UK nationals. Eventually being picked up by The Sun, Spanish fisherman had
August
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FEATURE
The Rock’s only investigative
local newspaper
newspaper, the Gibraltar A campaigning, community local and expatriate comOlive Press represents the on the Rock with 10,000 munities working or living copies distributed fortnightly.
OPINION
Grease lightning
fraudsters are targetIn another shocking episode attempting to cross the ing unbeknowing tourists frontier. of reports of the men We have received a number to both tourists and of acting in a violent manner attempt to warn others those Gibraltarians that the scam. that the tourism industry their While it does not appear damaged seriously by in Gibraltar has beenonly increasing in confidence. actions, the men are Olive Press, we urge you to Here at the Gibraltar both the Spanish and Gibralreport these crooks to tarian police. put on the Spanish police, The more pressure wemen will no longer get away the more likely these wrist. with just a slap on the
April As terrorism struck at the heart of London, MP Tobias Ellwood a former army personal assistant in Gibraltar was on hand to help save policeman Keith Palmer. Yet continual problems on the border led to smugglers slashing Guardia Civil cars, leading to queues lasting for hours. But it wasn’t all bad news as a new memorial commemorating Gibraltarians who died in WWII was set up. And Gibraltar’s history was further explored as renovation work uncovered 16th century frescoes at the Convent. The frescoes believed to be from 1531 when a £1.2 million donation was set up to create Gibraltar’s finest monastery.
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With autumn (if you can call it that) settling in, the GSD leadership race went into overdrive and we were the
As the Brexit spotlight heated up so to did allegations against a former TV star. Louise Marriott was charged with six counts of fraud after conning Gibraltarians out of £15,500 over the course of a few years. Yet a Russian superyacht, named Yacht A, churned the waters even more. With a mast taller than Big Ben, time ran out for a German shipbuilder who filed a claim against the yacht’s owner Andrey Melnichenko. Meanwhile, health became political after the GSD claimed Intensive Care Units were failing patients, something the government described as ‘absolute nonsense’.
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W
ELL, we all knew 2016 couldn’t be topped, what with Brexit, Trump and the biblical floods that put Andalucia virtually underwater. but 2017 certainly did a good job of trying. From the ongoing Brexit opera to the Catalunya crisis, the year has been full of big stories, both local and national.
C
February
jon@theolivepress.es
Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es
What a year!
As the world turned a new leaf so too did Gibraltar’s longest running legal case. Isaac Marrache, one of the lawyers found guilty of defrauding victims out of £27 million, was released on parole and eventually picked up by an American law firm. While a Gibraltarian mother turned to our investigative paper to uncover a ‘housing hell’ as officials were ignoring pleas to help accommodate her disability. But we didn’t stop there and managed to get the Gibraltar Health Authority to apologise for sending out letters to deceased former patients.
Publisher/ Editor Jon Clarke Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 News editor
A look back at the biggest stories of 2017
1 January 4th - January 16th And2018 our site is updated
y ar • S
January
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Round up
Feature Round up
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ann
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What does a British royal have to do in Gibraltar?
pe ci a
Prince Harry
Migrant madness
As families descend onto the coast for holidays we dug deeper to help a man find his family after 60 years of being apart. Robert Gascoigne, asked for help to track down his mother’s family after a tragic incident led to her death some thirty years previously. But we didn’t stop there after the government promised to clear up the North Front Cemetery after an Olive Press probe revealed the messy and unkempt state of the cemetery. Celebrating LGBT month, and having passed a law for same-sex marriage we looked at some of the heroes who are changing the world for the better.
Just as the Rock has stood the test of time, so too has the Gibraltar Olive Press after celebrating its 50th edition. A suspect in the missing case of Lisa Brown was found on a yacht floating off the Portuguese coast. Without electricity, water, and electronics the suspect said he was on the run from gangsters but the truth was that he absconded from the country after failing to give evidence in the case. After dumping a Supreme Court judge, Adrian Jack, the government came under fire for being too rash. While we reported on another billionaire who tried to conceal a £30 million Picasso painting on his yacht to smuggle it out of Spain without an export licence.
Rounding off 2017
subdays with a group of the Having spent several it is obvious that Saharan migrants in Morocco working for anyone. current system is not are risking their lives traversProspective migrants with the majority falling Africa to reach Morocco, and robberies by organised ing victim to assaults micriminal groups on route. is breaking out between In Morocco, violence over the lack of existing grants and local residents to resources and jobs. and Italy they are having For countries like Spaindesperately need to combat spend money that they on rescuing the panteras at their own social issues with increasing frequency. sea, which are arriving that do reach their destinaFor the ‘lucky’ migrants set off from home over a tion, with some having often deported as they do decade before, they are asylum claim. not have a strong enough and resources for all inTo save bloodshed, moneycommunity must do more volved, the international migrants claims before to organise and process journeys. they begin their harrowingdesperately need refuge In this way, those whowhile those unlikely to be abroad can receive it,Europe can focus their meagranted citizenship in without risking their lives gre resources elsewhere, in the process. Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es
PUBLISHER/ EDITOR NEWSDESK newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 NEWS EDITOR Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es REPORTERS Joe Wallen joe@theolivepress.es Jed Neill jed@theolivepress.es DESIGNER James Partington
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As the migrant numbers across the Strait triple this year, the Olive Press sent Joe Wallen to spendof a weekend with a group refugees about to set sail out of Tangier. In a moving dispatch, he hears of frequent attacks and even witnesses them himself... but even in the most hopeless of situations, there is optimism for a better future
December 20th - January
3rd 2018
‘THEY TREAT US WORSE THAN DOGS IN THESTREET’ by they took as they were rescued Amy’s Restaurant Selfies Red Cross near Tarifa have T is just past midday in on a pegyet charming the Spanish on Rue Khatib, a simple, in the cata- been printed off and stuck of others who Senegalese kitchen hidden board, along with dozens Town. combs of Tangier’s Old animated chatter have recently made it. us to celebrate The place is packed and across West Af- “There is very little for it, it is so when our brothers make fills the air as refugees from from home includ- hereif everyone of us has made it,” says rica tuck into delicacies as bou dienne’. 28, from Sierra Leone. ing ‘yassa poulet’ and ‘thie a ‘pantera’, Christopher, of making it onto the Hall dream It emerges that just yesterday at home in a “We all one day,” he continues laughor makeshift dinghy, more landed on of Fame of those who swimming pool, has successfully ing, pointing at the pictures in going the ‘Back Way’. the Costa del Sol. our NWA, Cameroonians have succeeded are our Biggie Smalls, jokes. The big group of Gambians, fanatic have made it to the “They and Nigerians on board Europe. our Dr Dre,” the hip-hop promised land – Fortress
I
CHILDREN! PROTECT onOUR launches a general us, the Gibraltar Olive Press With the festive season charities close to home. By Joe Wallen appeal for a range of kids’ refugee
ish and from more impor- families can said “CHILDREN are not distractions most important work,” they fall tant work, they are thenovelist C. S. Lewis and de- stay if times. Chronicles of Narnia central theme of the Olive on hard imporAnother fending children is the this year. tant charity that Press’ Christmas appeal the planet for the next is working hard are beAt a time when preserving been greater, children for children at generation has never is in pov- Christmas coming increasingly vulnerable. three children grow up Childline in GiAn incredible one in Gibraltar. braltar. erty in the Campo de part of Spain and The charity was GENEROUS: Present giveaway It is the most underprivileged access to a decent edu- set up in 2006 on the Rock who many children have limited vital support to children and not enough food. cation, poor healthcare children don’t have access and offers or alone. feel unhappy, threatened services and Alarmingly 66% of local after school resources. three main separate to The charity offers 6,000 callers. to books or pens or other Hogar Betania are striving has so far logged which is available Luckily charities like across the region. is Childline’s helpline eradicate child poverty are working hard to ensure The first of the year for children to chat live and have noand every day At this time of year they otherwise they may proper food and shelter discuss issues when that youngsters havestreets. is one to speak to. helping out if a child that none live on the asking big hearted people The second service involves in at the request But the charity is also presents for local fami- arrested and a volunteer will stand own chiland companies to donate Police. to buy them for their of the Royal Gibraltar runs an education prolies, who are unable Lastly Childline in Gibraltar schools and dren. on January 5 in La Linea gramme, working with parents, local about isThe toys will be distributed the Three Kings. to raise awareness its role youth organisations in a special event involving children on the Rock. close to my heart as “The campaign is very children in dire poverty in sues affectingrelies on the financial support of evis to help families with Carmen Moya Langston of But Childline eryday Gibraltarians. asking you to dig deep and La Linea and Gibraltar,”Gibraltar Olive Press. This Christmas we are Hogar Betania told the present campaign the team. here in Gibraltar As well as the Christmas Camp each year for 60 help the we raise stays right in need,” chairactivi- “Every penny charity also runs a Summer youngsters offering educational helping us support local impoverished children, the Gibraltar Olive Press. a day. person Jo Abergel told ties and three meals where Gibraltarian, SpanIt also operates a shelter online or volunIf you wish to donate Gibraltar teer you can contact Childline via the website www.childline.gi. like to volunMeanwhile, if you would Betania you teer or donate to Hogar website on info@ can do so through the hogarbetania.es
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and Dieudonne HOPEFUL: Alfonso (left) future are looking ahead to the
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A look at Gangsters’ paradise: beco- of properties past and present as MoD key figures -Gibraltarian delight thefor purchase del Crime - 3872 views me availablethe Costa
4 5 one of the luckier Christopher is already ones. status in Morocco He was granted refugee arduous journey three years ago after an via Guinea, Mali, across the Sahara Desert, and Algeria. English how his He tells me in impeccablein Sierra Leone’s parents had been killed 300,000 civilians long civil war in which 1991 and died in bitter conflict between 2002. Morocco with his He had finally made it toof whom has now crutches two best friends, one claimed room and Habas with his Christopher (left) in his made it to France and successfully died in the Mediter- TANGIER LIFE: hours I am spat it, asylum, while the other me is, over the next 48 by groups of locals in July. ranean when his boat capsized sworn at and barked at she is now. recalls the horrible smugglers. Fighting back tears, he He has literally no idea where shows me a on various occasions. death. the migrants day he heard of his friend’s lottery,” he ex- Alfonso, 27, from Cameroon, his forehead Complicit in the treatment of I learn play a police who of scars across “It is basically a complete far out- are the Moroccan Red Cross as the criss-cross migrants in their plains. “They called the one was on duty, and neck, the complexity of which vital role in assisting the itself. crossing. boat began to sink, but no down. strips the layout of Tangier ever play,” being beat- arduous sea so it slowly went down andget my chance, it He claims he got the scars after in the hills “It is the biggest game you will police Cameroonian who “I pray that when I finally en up by the Moroccan to live there. laughs Dieudonné, a on one of the lethal all for daring for a berth is on one of the better days.” Moroccan has just paid migrant route has near Tangier, The Morocco to Spain in 2017, with over This cruelty at the hands of the of my two ‘panteras’ this week. hair done for the exploded in popularity rescued in the police becomes a running theme Dieudonné has had hisbecoming ‘the bigof 15,000 people so far increase on last days spent with the group. is a journey and dreams and “Here in Morocco there they gest reggae star since Buju Banton’ Straits, marking a 338% modern-day apartheid, dogs wants to arrive looking the part. year alone. the as he performs for the treat us worse than the The reasons for this are Christo- We laugh together Complicit in the in the street,” claims very real security concerns appreciative restaurant. Libadding that none of the It turns out the police are the main source in crossing to Italy from treatment of the pher, 20 flatmates has a job. the of the migrants’ ramshackle panteras. ofya, with much of the counus and plain clothes migrants are the “No one will hire try run by lawless militias, They purchase them from work we ever get is oc- ficers who have previously seized them and resulting in many migrants Moroccan police, only casional construction work. sell them on. being literally sold into slavevery week with a seIn fact we can only make they claim ery or forced into sex work. has take “They come round money when tourists work lection of photos and once a house very Footage recently obtained of one – it is our pity on us and we can by CNN shows a group enough money they buy catalogue,” he says commigrants from Niger andhighest bidder in as guides.” unpro- own Christmas Senegal being sold to theTripoli. All claim they have experienced Moroccans, pletely deadpan. £1000 and a ‘safehouse’ outside of agreement be- voked violence at the hands of A typical journey costs between boat but a rubber paddle pantera Another reason is a new has provided almost on a weekly basis. day as we £1500 in £1000, they can pay the Motween Italy and Libya, which coastguard to Their claims ring true later that for an extra Africain. off. more funding for the Libyan sit having dinner in Café lurches roccan police them the nowhere a Moroccan man at me, “Basically this involves telling time and catch migrants. new migrants now Out of and the With thousands of these I decided to take into the café and takes a swing beach we are going from says. congregating in Morocco, to seek a few of shouting ‘sympathisant de nègre’. but it is they just go elsewhere,” Dieudonné translation, be back but we are a ride across the Strait are faring. The phrase needs little “The next night they will he laughs. to freedom,” them out and see how theyheart of Tangier no less shocking. these up immedi- long gone, It takes a while but in the into Christopher, Several of my new friends leapand the inci- Regardless of your views towards it is hard not to be city, I eventually bumped his cheap rented ately and block the assailant refugees and migrants begun. the hardship they have who agreed to let me visit dent is over before it has on overwhelmed by Morocco and their optias the attempted attack home. suffered to reach and he shares As shocking that lay ahead. He calls it ‘African House’who have all esmism despite the dangers house comes to an it with 20 other migrants As my 48 hours in the me his prized posrepressive regimes caped persecution and end, Christopher shows around the continent. session. 34, from Libelegend Tupac, One of his flatmates Habas, It is a poster of US hip-hop so far made FOUR ria, tells me how he hasto cross to Spain. who was shot dead in 1996. for what is mine?” unsuccessful attempts sea than stay here “Is it a crime, to fight, God Can Judge “I’d rather drown in that he raps from the song Only or go home,” he tells me. Me. with a broken me what’s the use He is currently on crutches “Everybody’s dyin’ – tell “I’ve been trapped off the border wall leg, the result of falling the nearby Spanof tryin’,” the song goes. I’m cursed,” it in an attempt to get into since birth, cautious, cause ish enclave of Ceuta. attempt as soon as continues. group have been And he will make a fifth After everything the they are successhe insists. his leg is back to full strength, through, I can only hope very own Hall of from Mali, tells me Meanwhile, Diallo, 23, watching his wife ful making it onto their a harrowing story about the Algerian borFame. for migrants in the city raped and kidnapped onmoney to pay his AMY’S: Social hub der after he ran out of
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As a public Christmas present we sent a journalist over to Morocco to talk to some of migrants who were gearing up to cross the Med. Picked up by The Independent in the UK, it will be a main priority for Spain to control numbers entering while also helping those fleeing oppression. As part of our Christmas appeal we looked at childrens charities in Spain to help alleviate the stress and strain poverty is having on the young. With education, housing and welfare as hot topics, these charities were a helping hand to some of society's most vulnerable.
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Here are the best and biggest stories that we covered
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