Portugal News Photo of oil tanker Prestige off the Iberian Coast of Europe If Spain had their way,most of Portugal’s northern beaches would have been polluted by now. Portugal’s sole neighbour’s questionable attitude in dealing with the sunken Prestige fuel tanker was highlighted by Barcelona newspaper El Periodico on Wednesday, when it stated: "The decision was taken to tow the boat out to the deep blue yonder, following the well-known practice of cleaners who brush dirt under the carpet. Was the aim to share the risk with Portugal, as if the environment were a national and not a planetary asset?".
Spanish port authorities all refused the ship entry to its ports so that it could empty its load prior to it causing damage. Instead, it was urged southwards to Portuguese shores. But the captain, aiming to save the lives of his crew, turned off the ship’s motors as it stopped dangerously close to Portugal’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Still the Spanish attempted to con(vince) Portugal that the boat was in its waters. In the meantime, and as the boat was dragged out to sea, came the undeniable and now certain risk of contamination to what could become more than a fifth of Portugal’s entire coastline.