EAGLE IN GIBRALTAR HARBOUR; BUCCANEERS LAND AT AIRPORT; TELEPHONE EXCHANGE; BRITISH SHIPS.




Initials CP/VS/AS/MH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE ROYAL NAVY HAS DESCRIBED AS "PURE COINCIDENCE" THE ARRIVAL IN GIBRALTAR YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) OF A BRITISH FLEET -- THREE DAYS BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF A UNITED NATIONS DEADLINE FOR BRITAIN TO CEDE THE COLONY TO SPAIN. THE BRITISH SQUADRON COMPRISES THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER, HMS EAGLE, THE COMMANDO CARRIER HMS BULWARK AND A TRAINING SQUADRON FROM THE ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE, DARTMOUTH.

THE NAVY SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS NO PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE IN THE VISIT AS SHIPS CALLED AT GIBRALTAR NEARLY EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. LAST DECEMBER THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED A RESOLUTION CALLING ON BRITAIN TO GIVE UP GIBRALTAR BY OCTOBER 1, THIS YEAR. BRITAIN HAS REJECTED THE PROPOSAL.

SPAIN HAS THREATENED TO SEVER TELEPHONE LINKS AND CUT ELECTRICITY AND WATER SUPPLIES IF BRITAIN DOES NOT HAND OVER THE ROCK.

THE ROYAL NAVY SPOKESMAN SAID HMS EAGLE WAS GOING TO GIBRALTAR FOR "A SELF-MAINTENANCE PERIOD". A SMALL NUMBER OF HER AIRCRAFT, HE SAID, WOULD OPERATE FROM THE R.A.F. AIRFIELD IN GIBRALTAR DURING HER STAY.