[GladesGuru]

"Britain captured Gibraltar from Spain in 1704 and was then formally ceded the territory in the Treaty of Utrecht nine years later. A clause in the treaty gives Spain first preference should Gibraltar's status change, and Madrid has never given up its claim to the Rock."

The operative statement is "should Gibralter's status change". If the Spanish are smart, they will remember the sheer, mindless, stupidity of the Argies. Those numb-nuts were in negotiations for the Falklands, and were successful in getting England's agreement that they would be returned to Argentine.

The details of when, and under what conditions were under discussion when the Argies committed what the poultry industry calls "a major cluck-up".

Moral: When asking for something from someone stronger, be polite, not agressive. Remember what your Mommie told you about your manners.

[Eala]

The talks were abandoned after the Gibraltarians overwhelmingly rejected the proposal in a referendum.

Our minister is from Gibraltar. From what we hear from him "overwhelming rejected" could be the major understatement of the year.