Leila islet crisis: it is blatant trickery, said Joe Bassano
Morocco-UK, Politics, 7/20/2002

Referring to the crisis between Morocco and Spain following the latter's military occupation of Leila island on Wednesday, Joe Bassano, leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party, said that "Britain cannot negotiate in good faith with Spain" over Gibraltar.

"Britain cannot negotiate in good faith with Spain as Spain has actually admitted it promised to resolve the Perijil (Leila) problem by diplomatic means so as to retain the element of surprise," Bassano, the leader of the major opposition party in Gibraltar, told British daily The Daily Mail.

Leanna Armstrong-Emery of the Independent Liberal Forum party in Gibraltar on her part said that "we should not be surprised to see Spain make promises and then break them. Over many years, they've reneged on their obligations and treaties." The Daily Mail writes that Spain's move was also a snub for the EU Commission, which had called less than 24 hours earlier for a diplomatic solution.

Previous Stories:
  Historical proofs evidence Leila islet is Moroccan, researcher   (7/19/2002)
  'Status quo' referred to by Spain is not mentioned anywhere, Says Journalist Zakia Daoud   (7/19/2002)
  Moroccans protest Spain's invasion of Moroccan islet   (7/19/2002)
  Member of British parliament says Sahara partitioning is unacceptable   (3/27/2002)
  Sahara Issue at the Focus of Benaissa-Bradshaw Talks in London   (3/14/2002)
  Tony Blair gets message from King Mohammed   (3/13/2002)

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