Spanish Sabre-rattling off the Moroccan Coast

A military stand-off that has developed between Morrocco and Spain over a group of tiny islands in the western Mediterranean sea has only raised the stakes in what is a growing diplomatic dispute between the two countries.

Last week, a Maroccan patrol boat was spotted near the Chafarinas, three islands which lie east of the Spanish enclave of Melilla and have been under Madrid’s control since 1847. Spain reacted by sending gunboats, attack helicopters and soldiers to the area. Morocco followed with accusations of Spain wanting to spoil the national festivities marking the marriage of King Hassan the Sixth – to which King Juan Carlos of Spain was not even invited.

Deteriorating relations

The spat follows months of deteriorating relations between Spain and Morocco, soured by a seemingly unstoppable flow of clandestine immigrants, quarrels ober fishing rights, ctitiscm of the young Moroccan king in the Spanish press and bickering over the status of the Western Sahara.

Last October, Rabat recalled its ambassador to Madrid. He has not been replaced yet.

The dispatchment of Moroccan troops to the unihabited Isla del Perejil, or "Parsley" Island (photo) is regarded as the most serious diplomatic incident since the Moroccan Army’s march into the Western Sahara – a former Spanish colony – in 1975.

According to Mariano Rajoy, Spain’s deputy Prime Minister, Parsley Island was claimed by both countries. However, both had made a "tacit agreement" to leave the rocky island unhabited.

But Marocco says the stony outcrop has belonged to the country since it gained independance in 1956.

Shared sovereignty in Gibraltar?

The feud coincides with an announcement in London that Britain is prepared to share sovereignty in Gibraltar with Spain.

Spain holds on to its territories in north Africa using similar historical arguments as those used until now by Britain in Gibraltar.

Conservative-leaning British newspapers on Sunday noted the swift and determined manner in which Spain moved to protect its overseas territory, situated in the Strait of Gibraltar. According to the Times, "the Spaniards have been as determined to keep their toe-hold on the African continent as they have to deprive the British of theirs on the Iberian peninsula".

But others say Spain’s quick reaction is the sheer result of fear in Madrid that Rabat, which has long claimed that the enclaves should be returned to Morocco, is preparing to do so by force.

Such a move would be regarded by Spain as an act of war.

On the other side, the British government's surprise announcement to share sovereignty in Gibralta with Spain, disclosed by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw last week, is seen by diplomats as a an attempt by Blair to improve relations with the Spanish premier Jose Aznar.

As relations with France have rarely been close and the future of Gerhard Schröder as German chancellor is still uncertain, Aznar is regarded as future key ally for the British Prime Minister.

EU criticism

While the political wrangling over Gibraltar continues, calls to end of the dispute over Parsley Island in Europe have become louder.

The European Union condemned the presence of Marrocan troops on the rocky outcrop, but refused to become directly involved in what it sees as a bilateral dispute.

"This is clearly a regrettable incident. It constitutes a violation of Spanish territory", Gunar Wiegand, European Commission spokesman said.