...and it’s not unlikely that Spain lost more treasure to wrecks than it did to English piracy. This particular engineered crisis pertains to Spain’s attempts to retake Gibraltar. :’)
Diplomatic row over Odyssey sees contingency measures in place
gibfocus - 7th June 2007
(2007-06-07 08:40:00 )
The continued diplomatic row over the activities of Odyssey Marine Exploration has led to back scene contingency plans tabled in the event of the tensions between Spain, UK and the US escalating over the origins of a £250 million treasure trove discovered by the company.
Following the transportation of the treasure to the US, Spain has called upon both the UK and US Governments to provide details on the treasure and its origins, asking for them to demand that the company reveals the origins of the treasure. The Spanish Government has raised suspicions that the shipwreck in which the treasure was discovered was found within Spanish territorial waters.
With orders issued by a Spanish court to arrest the two vessels operating for Odyssey Marine Exploration, gibfocus understands that contingency plans have been tabled which could see a deployment of special unit forces to Gibraltar to protect the vessel presently berthed at the Naval Base.
With both the US and UK Government continuing to maintain their silence, and the main debate taken up by Spain’s Ministry of Culture, political observers have pointed out that the absence of comment from the foreign ministry of each country continues to highlight the sensitivity of the issue.
Observers have indicated that Spain’s decision to arrest the vessel could lead to a further increase in tensions as a dispute over what Spain recognises as British territorial waters could be tested by the latest claims over the treasure.
Informed sources have in the meantime revealed that there are plans for an unscheduled military exercise to take place in Gibraltar within the coming days, with specialised forces used to protect maritime installations and vessels deployed to Gibraltar. Although there are no official details over the planned exercise, reports have linked the tabled plans to the continuing debate over the origins of the treasure.
Experts have nevertheless pointed out that since the debate is centred around a foreign vessel, which would be outside Gibraltar and Britain’s own jurisdiction if arrested or boarded outside of Gibraltar waters, the intervention of Britain in the arrest would be unlikely due to the political sensitivities that surround the whole issue.
The same experts have, however, also indicated that whilst within Gibraltar waters, and under the protection afforded by the Naval Base, the agreement between Odyssey Marine Exploration and the Ministry of Defence places the latter in a sensitive and politically awkward position since it would have to afford the vessels its protection whilst within its jurisdiction.
This has been seen locally as adding to the tensions, with many locals questioning the lack of intervention of the Gibraltar Government as the Odyssey Marine Exploration debate is seen as adding unwanted pressure on the relations between Gibraltar and Spain at a time when close co-operation agreements have only just been put in place following last year’s tripartite agreement.
http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1393
Spain’s attempts to retake Gibraltar
http://www.gibfocus.gi/details_headlines.php?id=1393
Gibraltar DOES look like a wild place on the home page of this Gibraltar news website