Independence 'will let Scotland be global peacekeeper'

In the inaugural speech at an Aberdeen University forum on "Scotland in the World", Alex Salmond said the existing global goodwill towards Scotland made it an ideal choice to become a world leader in international conflict resolution.

He told the forum that Scotland had already changed "almost beyond recognition" and was continuing to grow and develop as a nation and a society.

Mr Salmond said: "We can choose to remain a bit-part player – unable to advance our interests and influence the international agenda other than through the United Kingdom.

"Alternatively, as an independent country, we can actively seek responsibility – eager for the opportunity to help shape the great global debates.

"An independent Scotland would not have its foreign policy defined by involvement in the invasion of Iraq. An independent Scotland would seek to exercise our responsibilities in a different way."

He added: "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 a strategy to defuse it.

"Resolution of conflict is harder, more subtle, more difficult. But it is an area where Scotland can excel."

Mr Salmond pointed out that Norway, with the Oslo Accords, was widely regarded as a key figure in attempts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and had shown what small countries could do on the world stage.

The First Minister said: "The key role for Scotland, as a small country, will be as a peacemaker – providing the facilities and the opportunity for conflict resolution. Although that is a hard task, some small countries do extremely well. Global citizenship is about our commitment to safety and security around the globe. For me, Scottish independence is not just an opportunity to move Scotland forward, but a chance for Scotland to give something back. To meet our global responsibilities."

Mr Salmond also stressed that he saw a role for Scottish troops operating abroad, but only under the auspices of the United Nations.

He explained: "It is certainly not the case that Scotland will refuse to contemplate the possibility of future conflict.

"However, one thing I can guarantee is that the only place where I can see a legitimate role is under the auspices of the United Nations – and hopefully in a peacekeeping capacity.

"Moreover, our contribution to peace-keeping would continue. I believe that Scottish troops and others – whether in terms of building a civic society or restoring policing – can play a hugely influential role in the vast array of conflict zones around the world in which the United Nations is taking the lead.

"This country is more than willing – and more than able – to play a full and constructive role in the European Union and globally."

Dr Alison Watson, head of the school of international relations at St Andrews University, said that while Mr Salmond's ambition to establish Scotland as a world peace-keeper was laudable, it would be difficult to achieve.

Dr Watson, who is also member of the school's centre for peace and conflict studies, said: "My personal opinion is that you have to establish a reputation first and somewhere like Norway has a fully established reputation in that regard.

"Even then there are problems – when you are a small country like Norway you have a small pool of people who are diplomats or work through the United Nations.

"You could argue that it's a possibility, but I don't know necessarily that it's as easy to do as Alex Salmond would appear to suggest."

Dr Watson added: "I think it's a laudable ambition and something positive to aim for in terms of Scotland having an identity on the international stage, which I don't necessarily think that we have at the moment.

"That is what Norway has had through the Nobel Peace Prize, for example.

"And for a lot of countries, their position as (a] peacemaker is helped if they have a history of being neutral."

Commenting on this article has been closed due to repeated breaches of our terms and conditions.