TNAG-1218-FCO40-1523-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1983 — Page 164

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DSR 11C

Private Members Motion: Dependent Territories: Friday 15 April

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GIBRALTAR

A: POINTS TO MAKE

A.W.O. Ltd. 11:82. 56-3683. 200m.

Status of Gibraltar

1. The people of Gibraltar have made it quite clear that

they wish to retain their links with Britain. Britain's

assurances are about the status of Gibraltar, contained in the

preamble to the 1969 Constitution, which states:

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''Her Majesty's Government have given assurances to the people

of Gibraltar that Gibraltar will remain part of Her Majesty's

dominions unless and until an Act of Parliament otherwise

provides, and furthermore that Her Majesty's Government will

never enter into arrangements under which the people of

Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state

against their freely and democratically expressed wishes.''

Indpendence For Gibraltar

2. It is I think generally accepted in Gibraltar that independence is not an available option. Gibraltar was ceded

to Britain in perpetuity under Article X of the Treaty of

Utrecht in 1713. But the effect of the final sentence of

Article X is to give Spain the right of first refusal to the

territory should Britain ever decide to withdraw from Gibraltar.

3. [If pressed on self-de termination or the United Nations. Charter] Although the UK has consistently defended the

Gibraltarian's right to self-determination at the United Nations we regard this as the right of Gibraltarians to be consulted on whether their future should lie with Britain or Spain rather

than a right to choose independence.

Spanish Aspirations to Sovevergnty

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Gibraltar

4. Spain's aspirations towards Gibraltar are well-known and of

longstanding. Britain's commitment to honour the wishes of the

people of Gibraltar is also firm and clear.