Caruana told local media that Gibraltarians have "always been supportive of the American use of Gibraltar when others have been much less supportive of such use," an allusion to anger in neighbouring Spain which lays claim to Gibraltar, lost it to the British in 1704.

Caruana said the apparent snub "will not be forgotten in a hurry."

The American nuclear submarine USS 'Albany' was recently in Gibraltar but Caruana said he believed that the US State Department had instructed the US Navy to withdraw the ship under protests from Spain.

Madrid is upset by the events to mark the capture of Gibraltar by the British on August 4, 1704.

The British Royal Navy, which helped in the capture, will be granted the freedom of the city of Gibraltar on Wednesday, to be marked by a spectacular military parade to be attended by British Defence Secretary Geoffrey Hoon, who arrived in the territory on Monday afternoon.

The Spanish Government has described the visit as "an unfriendly act."

WAR.WIRE