The Diplomat
Brigadier General Marcus Bryant Annibale, Chief of Staff of NATO’s Naval Strike and Support Forces (STRIKFORNATO) in Oeiras, Portugal, was blocked in Gibraltar last Easter, as he lacked specific authorisation and did not meet the requirements of Schengen controls to cross the border into Spain.
According to the Noticias Gibraltar portal, although the case of General Annibale is, so far, the most striking because of his high rank and because he comes from Portugal, it is not the only one, but one more of the numerous movements of US military personnel stationed at bases on the mainland (especially Morón and Rota), who are trying to cross the Gibraltar border without complying with EU border regulations or having any specific authorisation from the Spanish state.
The application of Schengen controls at the Gibraltar border is affecting, for the time being and pending a conclusion to the negotiations, only those persons who cannot show identification as Gibraltar citizens and who are therefore third-country nationals and must meet the requirements.
According to Noticias Gibraltar, General Annibale tried, without success, to force his way through the Gibraltar border, despite having been warned beforehand by the Spanish police that he did not meet the requirements.
The website explains that the general entered the Rock in a Portuguese-registered car from Spain on Holy Wednesday. Already then, the Spanish agents stationed at the border warned him that he could not return through the same pedestrian and vehicle crossing point, as he did not comply with Schengen regulations or have any specific authorisation.
Nevertheless, on Good Friday, the general presented himself on his way back to Spain through the same crossing point, being prevented from entering as he had been warned and generating a tense situation.
The presence of this US general in Gibraltar coincided with that of the US nuclear submarine USS Georgia, which had been docked at the docks of the Gibraltar Naval Base since 13 April, the same day the American soldier crossed the fence. The Spanish government protested to the US government about the presence of this submarine in Gibraltar.
According to Noticias Gibraltar, the Spanish authorities have been detecting, for some time now, an unusual movement of US military personnel attempting to enter and leave Gibraltar through the Fence without explanation and without complying with the requirements applied by the European Union in Schengen territory.
It also adds that there is no record of the US Embassy ever having informed the Spanish administration of the need for such movements so that these military personnel can enjoy specific authorisation without generating unnecessary tension at the Gibraltar border.
Yesterday, the commander of US Naval Activities in Spain, with headquarters in Rota, Captain David Baird, posted a warning on Facebook advising his personnel in Spain not to travel to or from Gibraltar, in order to avoid the incidents that have been occurring.
“I am aware that many members of our community have had difficulty in the last week entering Spain from Gibraltar,” said Baird, adding that “The US Embassy in Madrid is fully committed to resolving these problems, but the unpredictable delays continue.
Until further notice,” he stresses, “I strongly discourage US members of the Rota Naval Station from travelling to or from Gibraltar. If you must travel to Gibraltar, please make sure you have your TEI card and your passport with a valid entry stamp for Spain. Please also make sure you have sufficient funds available for multiple nights’ accommodation in case you are delayed”.
And after reiterating that the US Embassy is working “to address these issues at the highest level”, he insists: “Until we have a clear resolution, please refrain from travel to Gibraltar”.
