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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, NOVEMBER 4, 1986
PAGE 19
A
Gibraltarian knows his history in meticulous detail:
that
Gibraltar became a British colony in 1704, that since then the
rock has withstood numerous sieges, that Gibraltarians have
fought for Britain in two world wars, and that Gibraltarians
are of British, Italian and Maltese origin but not Spanish.
Even though most Gibraltarians speak Spanish as their mother
tongue, they are fiercely proud of their British identity and
observe British traditions and customs in a way unfashionable
in Britain. Their streets are decked with patriotic slogans
and painted Onion Jacks that would do credit to a Loyalist area
of Belfast.
The removal of the guard, who stood from dawn to dusk in a grey
sentry box 15 paces from the border gates has aroused emotion
varying from dismay and fear to disgust because Gibraltarians
think it is yet one more step in a plan to unite them with
Spain. Juan Carlos, a member of the Gibraltar Assembly, a
miniature version of parliament, said:
·The removal of the
guard is a symptom of the disease and for the first time people
!£!. realisin {: that the Brussels agreement was � j "!, st about
opening� ront!er but� much !!!2E.!. involved process.
The Rock's opposition leader, Joe Bosano, whose party has seven
members in the 15-seat assembly, said:
•Most people feel
themselves as being married to Britain for 300 years and feel
that it is odd that the Foreign Office is inviting Spain to woo
their wife. There's been a very sharp awakening for people to
do more than just regret what happened and set in train
activity to block the next move towards osmosis.••••
Gibraltar's veteran leader, Sir Joshua Hassan, was overruled by
Whitehall when he objected to the removal of the guard. The
British government also wanted to remove the gates but relented
when Hassan said that was going too far•••• Hassan said:
•Gibraltar has served Britain well but we do not want anything
for that except respect for our wishes. We want to remain as
Gibraltarians and to live our lives according to our British
customs and traditions. We have an identity of our own which
we want to retain.
--Gene B. Hogberg, News Bureau