Who, exactly, are Scotland’s enemies?

Published on 20/10/2012 00:00

There has been much twittering of late about the defence of an independent Scotland. What no one seems to address is from whence a threat to Scotland may come.

Can we identify potential enemies either current or 
future? Terrorism is a threat to European countries. Terrorism is not dealt with by tanks, or regiments; it is dealt with by intelligence and special forces.

What reason would terrorists have to attack Scotland? Please, no mention of Glasgow Airport – that was an attack on the UK, not Scotland.

Almost all countries have a defence force, which are always relevant to their size and capability, save, it would seem, the UK, which likes to punch above its weight at vast expense to the taxpayer.

Scotland will have such a defence force commensurate with its abilities to sustain it.

Nato seems to be nothing more now than an instrument of American neocolonialism. Scotland in the EU would naturally be protected by its membership of the EU. People fly kites now about the difficulty that Scotland would have in gaining, or retaining membership, of the EU. This is frankly rubbish, despite the statement by a Spanish minister that Spain relies rather heavily on Scottish fishing waters.

R Mill Irving

Station Road

Gifford, East Lothian

 

Mr Johnston (Letters, 19 October) is somewhat generous in suggesting that Scotland would need to spend £2.5 billion on defence.

Comparing Scotland’s needs with those of other similar countries suggests that around £1.25bn would cover a modern defence capable of handling the 21st-century threats, especially non-state terrorism, where intelligence gathering is more important than large standing forces.

At the moment the Scottish contribution to the Westminster defence budget is around £4bn (based on Scotland having around one eleventh of the population and tax contribution). This would give a considerable surplus of at least £2.75bn and probably more.

With a population of five million this equates to more than £550 for every person in Scotland, which is £50 more than the £500 better off that the polls suggest would get people to vote for independence.

Bruce D Skivington

Strath

Gairloch, Wester Ross