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ريا
Mr. Baker
(% N. Every)})
Mr. Goodison (SED)
Cession of the Isthmus
The Secretary of State is very well aware that Sr. Lopez Bravo's proposal that Sovereignty over the isthmus should be transferred to Spain is a pretty unattractive proposition and contains enormous difficulties not least for the people living in the isthmus and
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for the implications over Gibraltar's communications.
2. The Secretary of State talked about this with
J
Lord Carrington and others after Sr. Lopez Bravo had gone and while recognising the difficulties he would like the idea studied in some depth. If it were a starter at all it would only be acceptable as part of a large package which would involve very significant concessions from the Spanish side as well.
3.
The sort of elements in a package which Sir Alec mentioned were as follows:
(i)
a general declaration that both sides adhered to their views "without prejudice" about the Sovereignty of Gibraltar proper (the Rock). Some such general legal disclaimer would presumably be inevitable.
(ii) that all were agreed that practical cooperation
and friendship was desirable.
(iii) the Spaniards would lift all existing restrictions
on Gibraltar.
(iv) if possible there should be some clause, or under- taking that the question of Sovereignty over the Rock would be left in abeyance for as long a period as was negotiable.
(v) Sovereignty over the isthmus would be transferred
to Spain but with satisfactory guarantees over communications, use of the airport (joint user or lease) and satisfactory arrangements for the inhabitants.
(vi) there would be some wider defence arrangement,
possibly the granting of a British base in Spain or a joint Anglo/Spanish arrangement for the use of such a base and also for the use of Gibraltar.
SECRET
(vii)/
i
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