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in the absence of the first) beeruse of the conati-
tutional constraints under which JMG must operate and
which reflect the facts of British political life.
Gibraltarians are unlikely to place greater confidence in
the value of safeguards etc while their isolation fron
Spain continues and while Spanish restrictions against
Gibraltar romain in force. The Spanich proposals lack
completely any suggestions for improving Spanish-
Gibraltarian relations.
3. A further omission from the Spanish proposals as they
stand at present is a privision for a contiming British
military presence in the arca. Gibraltar continues to
have an important place in British defence policy,
although national defence interests are largely subsumed
in those of the NATO alliance, for thom Gibraltar
occupies a vital strategic position. It also ensures a
valuable contribution to defence interests in the
Atlantic and Western Mediterranem, which Britain and
Spain must have in common. British defence establish-
ments, in particular the naval dockyards, renke an
important contribution to the local economy and the
retention of the British military presence would be
additionally welcome to Gibraltarians as a guarantee of
continued British intorest.
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MONA