Monday 19 August 2013

Spain: British warship in Gibraltar, tension with Madrid

19 August, 12:15
(ANSAmed) - MADRID, AUGUST 19 - British royal navy warship HMS Westminster docked in Gibraltar on Monday, accompanied by two auxiliary ships, while another two military vessels are deployed in front of the Rock of Gibraltar. The visit, part of a long-planned vessel deployment in the Mediterranean, came a day after Spanish fishermen staged a protest off the British territory against a concrete riff placed by authorities in disputed waters.

Spanish fishermen told the media other protests and 'surprise' demonstrations are planned after the demo on Sunday against the barrier made of 70 concrete blocks. The concrete reef was placed at the end of July by the government of the main Gibraltarian minister, Fabian Picardo, reportedly to encourage the repopulation of sea-life, in a move slammed by Madrid as damaging the Spanish fishing industry.