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Odyssey Between a Hard Rock and a Harsher Place |
gibfocus - 28th June 2007
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2007-06-28 23:00:00) |
The saga over Odyssey Marine Explorations presence in Gibraltar continued today behind close scenes as the Spanish Government, British Government, Gibraltar Government and the US Salavage company continued at loggerheads on whether the vessels should depart Gibraltar.
Earlier this week the British Embassy is said to have been in a heated discussion with the Spanish Foreign Office over the activities of the US Company in Gibraltar. Since then the Spanish Culture Minister has told a Spanish Parliamentary Committee that Spain believed the treasure hauled by the US Company came from a Spanish vessel, but in intrenational waters.
As the saga continues gibfocus understands that the US Company faces further restrictions on its activities at berth, with reports that equipment was to be moved from the vessels, possibly onto an aircraft not materialising. This coinciding as reports that the company had been restricted in its activities at berth. With sources indicating that the vessels were now expected to leave within the coming weeks, although there has been no confirmation date of departure.
With the Ministry of Defence underfire, due to the presence of the vessels within the naval base, reports that the vessels might be moved to a commercial berth to allow naval vessels to berth within the base have also come under attack. In the latest political saga behind closed doors sources have indicated that both the British Government and the Gibraltar Government are at loggerheads over the presence of the vessels in Gibraltar, whilst the US Company is said to be seeking assurance over the possible boarding of the vessels if forced to leave Gibraltar.
In the meantime, whilst the political sage over Odyssey's presence in Gibraltar continues attention has focused on the court order calling on the arrest of the vessels. Attempts to obtain the official documents have resulted in few details being revealed. Whilst Spanish officials continue to claim that an order from the courts and an investigations does exist, few details have as yet been made public, raising serious concerns over the true extend of the official order, and whether it actually exists.
At the same time the two Odyssey vessels in Gibraltar were once again seen being relocated within the naval base, this time with the two vessels placed side by side, the Odyssey Alert out of sight from preying cameras as it was hidden by the Odyssey Explorer.
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