What's happening about Gibraltar

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A.� Simple. It's British. The Spanish want it. Gibraltar's people want to remain British. Britain needs better relations with Spain, so talks are now going on about the tiny country's sovereignty.< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Q.� So why is it so important

A.� As one American commentator put it, Gibraltar is the world's most strategic plot of real estate. Another described Gibraltar as standing at the crossroads of the world.

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Q.� We'd better have a description, please.

A.� Gibraltar is a rock at the bottom of Spain that rises 1,400ft above the Mediterranean. It has a population of 30,000. Gibraltar became a British colony when the Treaty of Utrecht was signed in 1713, but Spain has been trying to reclaim it ever since.

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Q.� But before that

A.� Gibraltar's name was given by Tarik, leader of the Arabic army that invaded Spain in the 8th Century. Gibraltar is a corruption of the Arabic words 'Jebel Tarik', Tarik's mountain. The rock remained in Arab hands until 1309 when the Spanish attacked. It passed back to the Moors, and was then reclaimed by the Spanish, who developed it as an important military and naval base. Britain became interested in Gibraltar and a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet under Admiral Rooke seized it during the War of the Spanish Succession. British sovereignty was then formalised in 1713 by The Treaty of Utrecht.

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Q.� How long was Britain allowed to keep Gibraltar

A.� Well, to use the precise and no-nonsense wording of the treaty: Forever.

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Q.� And it became a British military base

A.� Yes. During the 19th Century, Gibraltar developed into a fortress of renowned impregnability. The phrase 'as safe as the Rock' became commonplace in the English language. In 1830 the garrison was declared a British colony. Spain, however, has never been able to accept its loss and has made several unsuccessful attempts to recapture it.

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Q.� Such as

A.� Gibraltar has been besieged 15 times, the most famous being the Great Siege in 1779, which lasted 3 years, 7 months and 12 days. And in 1969, Spanish ruler General Francisco Franco closed the border, a blockade aimed at forcing Gibraltar into a union with Spain. It didn't work and the border was re-opened in 1985.

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Q.� Surely the Gibraltarians wouldn't mind becoming Spanish It's just the country next door.

A.� Don't you believe it. The Gibraltarians are as British as roast beef - even though many have Spanish names. In 1969, a referendum showed 12,138 to 144 in favour of British over Spanish sovereignty. Last week, the Gibraltarians were rallying against rumours that Britain would give up sovereignty.

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Marie Lou Guerrero, president of the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses, said: 'We have turned from completely passive to completely reactionary. We will not be forced into a deal that we don't want.' Louis Vinet, a retired taxi driver whose family has lived in Gibraltar since 1730, said: 'I have never been Spanish and never will be.'

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Q.� Is Spain trying to get the Gibraltarians on her side

A.� Yes - a few carrots have been dangled. Spain has offered to triple the number of telephone lines in Gibraltar and offer better access to its healthcare system. Gibraltarians, however, say they will not be bought. The Rock's House of Assembly, issued a statement saying: 'The people of Gibraltar will never compromise or give up our sovereignty, not for good relations with anybody and not for economic benefits either.'

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Steve Cunningham