First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond has stated that he would be open to an independent Scotland being home to US military bases, as long as they were non-nuclear, reported the Scotsman.
Speaking on a visit to New York, Salmond stated he had held talks with US officials, regarding NATO membership for an independent Scotland. He went on to say,
“The choice in policy terms is to be a non-nuclear member of that organisation,”
“So then, if we are talking about a non-nuclear base, then of course that would be something that would be possible in terms of the [Nato] treaty agreement.”
“We took the decision [on Nato membership] because we knew it was a signal to our friends and partners that we recognised their legitimate interest in the process of Scottish independence.”
“We wanted to send a signal to our friends and partners that we wanted to assume responsibility as a responsible friend and partner.”
