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History and Government
History: Gibraltar derives from Gibel Tariq – Tariq’s Mountain – which is named after Tariq Ibn Zeyad who led the eighth-century conquest of Spain by a combined force of Arabs and Berbers crossing from Africa. Gibraltar’s unusual status was not acquired until almost 1000 years later, long after the Islamic invaders had been driven out by the Spanish, as a consequence of the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht which brought to an end the War of the Spanish Succession and gave the territory to Britain. The British interpretation of the treaty, moreover, holds that the territory was ceded to them indefinitely. The presence of a foreign-owned mini-state on the Spanish mainland has been an irritant to Anglo-Spanish relations ever since (though the UK points to the Spanish-controlled enclaves of Ceuta and Mellila on the Moroccan coast). The Spanish dictator, General Franco, launched a campaign in 1963 through the United Nations to reclaim Gibraltar, adding to the pressure by closing the border and severing telephone links. Despite a more flexible and amicable attitude on the part of the Spanish after the death of Franco in 1975 (the border was finally opened in 1985), there was initially little movement on the basic issue of sovereignty. Trilateral co-operation between the UK, Spain and Gibraltar has steadily improved in the security field, especially since Spain joined the European Union. There has also been some shifting of ground in Madrid as regards the constitutional future of Gibraltar: during his premiership in the 1980s (see Spain section), Felipe González suggested to the UK some form of joint authority. During the latest round of negotiations between London and Madrid during 2001-02, both sides accepted that some form of power-sharing arrangement, possibly under EU or NATO auspices, was viable (Britain is currently solely responsible for the external relations and defence of the territory). However, the Gibraltarians firmly insist on remaining a British territory and it is very difficult for any British government to waive their right to self-determination (the legacy of the Falklands conflict pertains here). Moreover, the attitude of the Rock’s inhabitants will almost certainly be confirmed by a forthcoming referendum, organised by its own government and due to take place in the autumn of 2002. Domestic politics in Gibraltar are dominated by two main blocs, the ruling centre-right Social Democrats and the opposition alliance of the Socialist Labour Party and the Liberal Party. The Social Democrats formed the present government after their victory under the leadership of Peter Caruana, who was re-elected Prime Minister at the most recent poll in February 2000.
Government: Gibraltar is a British Crown Colony, where the British monarch is represented by a Governor, currently David Durie who assumed the post in 2000. The Chief Minister presides over the Council of Ministers which administers domestic affairs. The 17-member House of Assembly, which represents the population’s local interests, comprises 15 elected members. The ex-officio members are the Attorney General and the Financial and Development Secretary. Britain is responsible for defence and foreign affairs.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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