Responding to unspecified reports of further incidents of unlawful encroachments by the Guardia Civil over the week-end, the Government of Gibraltar has reminded all users of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters that no Spanish law enforcement agency or other entity has the power or authority to exercise any form of jurisdiction in Gibraltar Territorial Waters.

Government's call to boat owners not to respond to the Civil Guard if stopped and to raise the alarm provoked an immediate reaction from the Spanish press and Madrid politicians. In an initial reaction Jose Carracao the PSOE senator, fresh from a visit to Africa with the Spanish Foreign Minister, expressed his concern that this may be a Gibraltar ploy to halt the talks in the face of electoral scepticism.

Meanwhile the Gibraltar Government issued a clear statement.

"All requests by Spanish authorities within BGTW to board vessels, to produce documentation, to answer questions of any nature or to seek to enforce legislation on any subject, especially fishing and environmental laws, should be refused," said a No6 statement.

"Boatowners accosted in this way should immediately radio or telephone the RGP or fire off a distress flare which will result in the immediate deployment of the RGP or other Gibraltar Government maritime resources," it said.

Sr Carracao said he was sure that the Civil Guard were only acting in good faith and chasing presumed delinquents in collaboration with the RGP. "I am sure of that. They have not acted to provoke anyone," he said. Sr Carracao said he believed the No6 press prelease to be part of a ploy on Mr Caruana's part "which shows that he has not had the same political courage that Sr Moratinos has had with him."

Sr Carracao said that Sr Moratinos had given a voice to Gibraltar in the face of strong PP criticism. Instead he felt that Mr Caruana is more concerned about the electoral issue and the criticism he might have from Opposition leader Joe Bossano.

"This is a strategy to halt the talks. With such an attitude it will be difficult to continue to open new paths. I hope there is still a margin to have an agreement. There is an international expectation that we should avoid incidents like the New Flame.