Independent Scots army would lead global peace effort - Salmond

" ... Scotland will become a "hugely influential" global peacemaker if it wins independence, First Minister Alex Salmond said last night.

Closer ties with Europe and deeper trading links with emerging superpowers like China and India were also on the agenda as the SNP leader outlined his ambitions for an independent Scotland.

Speaking as he launched an Aberdeen University series of events debating the future north of the border, Mr Salmond said Scotland would be influential in bringing peace to some of the world's most war-torn regions.

"An independent Scotland would not have its foreign policy defined by involvement in the invasion of Iraq," he said.

"Rather, an independent Scotland would seek to exercise our responsibilities in a different way.

"I want Scotland to be a leader in international conflict resolution.

"I want to build on the tremendous sense of goodwill towards our nation across the globe.

"Real leadership is not just about winning conflict - it is about having strategy to defuse it. Resolution of conflict is harder, more subtle, more difficult, but much, much more rewarding.

"But it is an area where Scotland can excel." ... "

 

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