Nato target
Nicola Sturgeon has told a US audience an independent Scotland would seek to join the European Union and Nato, with membership of the alliances “cornerstones” of the new country’s foreign policy.
So the First Minister wants to be a member of Nato (a defence organisation based on nuclear weapons) but wants other countries to store the nukes? What are her plans for replacing RAF Lossiemouth, which frequently heads off Russian reconnaissance planes over the North Sea? She seems to want the benefits of Nato without shouldering the responsibilities. Should make for interesting negotiations.
Peter Lewis They are the UK’S nukes. Does the idea of the “successor state” only matter when it suits you? The UK would remain in Nato, Scotland would have to reapply. Do you think Nato would accept a newly independent nonaligned nuclear state on its doorstep? You suggest it would not be certain that Nato would accept Scotland's application. In light of Finland and Sweden being encouraged to apply to join this position has been exposed as wrong. Scotland would have to remain outside the auspices of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty if it (bizarrely) became independent while retaining the the UK’S (Nato’s) nuclear arsenal and was kept from becoming a member. They are not Scotland's nukes. Scotland's position would be nuclear non-proliferation as is, I may add, the legal position of (I believe) every member of Nato. How does non-natoireland survive the constant invasions into its territorial waters and airspace?
James Thomas Kilpatrick
The Republic of Iteland hasn't got any early warning system, such as Fylingdales. Also the north is still part of the UK so its airspace is protected by the RAF.
Bernard Coyle Scotland can join Nato under the same conditions as Sweden and Finland – that no nuclear weapons will be on their soil, like most of the other European countries in Nato.
Patricia Anderson Isn’t she putting the cart before the horse? She can’t get another referendum, let alone independence. They’ve been trying since World War II and they’re still no nearer.
Sheila Glover
What will an independent Scotland bring to world security? Maybe three or four frigates, a couple of hundred ground forces, a few aircraft. Nato and the EU will have no interest in working with the irrelevant and joke security partner that an independent Scotland would become. And why does she think the UK would be interested in working with an independent Scotland on security or defence matters? You can’t abandon one union and rely on the benefits of a strong relationship which won’t exist.
Harry Connibear They'll let Scotland in due to its strategic position in the north Atlantic. And Gareloch will not be closed with its 500 employees – it'll become Scotland's new naval base so jobs and personnel will be retained.
Mark Hamilton Mccaffer