RE: Political leaders

The UK may have violated the terms of the agreeement, but the status of the occupation has since moved on.

The ethnic make up of Gibraltans is not so Spanish; after the last referendum (a few years ago), an overhelming majority of Gibraltans (somewhere over 90%) voted to remain under British protection rather than be absorbed by Spain.

When Gib was ceded, it was nothing. Literally, it was a rock with very few inhabitants. Over the centuries it has grown into a thriving town and indeed into more or less a part of Britian. It may techincally be a colony, but most Gibraltans I know (only 2, admittedly) are very British. Not Spanish at all.

And…

What about the Spanish colonies in North Africa? How can Spain want Gib back when the Moroccans have no chance of reclaiming their own coastline?

Regarding the tax haven bit: I live and work in another “tax haven”, the Isle of Man. Let me tell you that regulation and anti money-laundering controls both in the IOM and Gib are many times stronger and more effective than either the UK or Spain. In this day and age, Gibraltar is not particularly corrupt. It does offer advantageous tax rates; but it is the privilege of every fiscally independent jurisdiction to set its own tax policies without interference. Every country competes on tax with other countries; It’s just that when the country in question is small, we call it a tax haven. Quite unfair, really.

RE: Political leaders

Wasn’t Zaire/DR Congo the personal thiefdom of King Leopold, rather than Belgium?

RE: Boy, this will cause me a lot of problems …

100% correct Geforce.

RE: Political leaders

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 17-06-02 AT 06:47 PM (GMT)]The US has more of a concern in foreign oil than European countries doesn’t it? It uses more.

Hmm…Africa.

I can only speak about the British here, because I know it wasn’t always the same with other European powers.

But, the African empire was basically well run and the withdrawal was orderly. I happen to have a personal connection with Zambia. In colonial days (as Northern Rhodesia) it was a different place. Upon independence, the country:-

1. Had virtually no external debt

2. Had a copper mining industry which was one of the best in the world – modern and very efficient (ZCCM).

3. Had reasonable infrastructure. Roads which were in good repair etc.

4. Had a very good legal system modelled on the British version.

5. Upon independence, the trappings of democracy were introduced.

So, what went wrong?

In Zambia’s case, one man wrecked the country – Kenneth Kaunda. Similar examples abound in most of the African ex-colonies. The only one to make a success of independence has been Botswana and, maybe, Ghana.

So, my point is that the screwing up was done by Africans, not by us. After all, when we colonised these places, most natives walked around in loin cloths!

RE: Political leaders

Sauron,

Gibraltar is NOT part of Spain. Just like Alaska is not part of Canada. More realistically, it is not part of Russia (Russia sold Alaska; Spain gifted in perpetuity Gibraltar).

RE: Political leaders

Sauron,

Okay, maybe I am a little bit anti-Israeli. Please do not confuse this with anti-semitism however.

I do not understand your assertion that the US is not anti-Palestinian. The constant references to Palestinian “terrorists” seems to underline the point that most Americans have forgotten the historical context of the issues at hand.

You say that without US support, Israel would/might have fallen. You are probably right; but I wouldn’t be too bothered, personally. Arab, Jew – they’re both the same to me. Both committ atrocities. Neither has a special claim.

A sore point with you seems to be that most Arab countries are undemocratic. Worse, they are monarchies.

Why are you so bothered? I agree that these countries ought to change in order to have a more prosperous future and to reduce the amount of fundamentalism. But surely that is an issue for the people of those countries, not America?

You don’t appear to be so concerned about democracy in other parts of the world (eg. Africa) because the oil element seems to double or even triple your sense of poignancy with regard to the Middle East.

RE: BA’s Preffered Merger Partner-Iberia

I quite like both colours, maybe they should both be retained!

Ultimately – BA would litigate against the Spanish gov’t in Europe, and would no doubt win the case. It would be very embarrassing for Spain, so I don’t think there will be very much objection. Perhaps a few months of bluster then a quiet surrender by the Spanish government.

As I recall the KLM deal, there was not much in the way of opposition from the Dutch goverment – the main problem (apart from a clash of corporate cultures) was route licenses to the US. Not so much of an isue with BA/Iberia.

RE: England 3 Denmark 0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What’s everyone so scared about?

Brazil are exceptionally good and will mean the match is end to end stuff.

But, Enlgand have the best defence at the World Cup and we can certainly score a few goals against Brazil. I think it will be even stevens, in terms of dominance if not in terms of the scoreline.