Oct 09 – New SDGG Chairman Committed To Increase Awareness Of Self-Determination Options
From YGTV’s reporter in New York
YGTV spoke to the newly appointed SDGG chairman Richard Buttigieg who made his first address to the Fourth Committee yesterday afternoon in New York.
YGTV: What was the main message of your address?
Richard Buttigieg: I wanted to explain our situation and the fact that we are where we are not because of anything that is our fault, but because of Spain’s intransigence. I wanted to highlight that Spain’s claim is archaic – it is based on the Treaty of Utrecht which most scholars agree is outdated and contains racist connotations. If one looks at the Spanish ambassador’s comments, he was quite open in saying that the principle of territorial integrity should supersede the principle of the self-determination of peoples; that is something with which we fundamentally disagree. We are convinced that we would win if this were taken to an international court and we wanted to highlight their hypocrisy.
YGTV: It’s your first speech as chairman – how did it feel?
RB: It feels more intimidating than it does when you come as a tourist! To be very honest, until about this morning, I was quite relaxed about it. Then I started getting lots of emails and messages of encouragement throughout the day and I realised that it was something that many people were going to be watching. That was quite uplifting because I wanted the SDGG to do precisely this: raise awareness and make people care and get involved. It became a bit more daunting as the hour approached and the fact that we were one of the first to speak was a bit nerve-wracking to an extent. It was, nonetheless, enjoyable…a privilege and an honour to be at the UN to deliver a speech that represents the views of some people in Gibraltar. I hope I have made them proud.
YGTV: Where do you hope to take the SDGG in the next few years?
RB: I think that one of the important goals is to raise awareness about the spectrum of issues that involves the political situation of Gibraltar. I want to raise awareness of what it is to be a colony so that there can be an informed and instructive debate as to whether it is or is not a colony. I also want to raise awareness of what self-determination means as a matter of law and politics. In particular, I want to put out there the options available to Gibraltar if we were ever to exercise our right to self-determination. I don’t think it’s good enough to talk about our right to determine our future without telling people what their options are. Under my tenure we will continue what has been the SDGG’s long-established policy of not advocating one option over another – we will simply put them all out there and trust that the people of Gibraltar will make the right decision when the time comes.
