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UK's military needed says General Scotland 'needs protection of UK'
(1 day later)
Scotland will be safer in an "uncertain world" if it rejects independence and remains part of the UK, the former head of the British army has told the BBC.Scotland will be safer in an "uncertain world" if it rejects independence and remains part of the UK, the former head of the British army has told the BBC.
Retired General Sir Mike Jackson told Panorama that despite a push for further devolution, defence and foreign policy must maintain the status quo.Retired General Sir Mike Jackson told Panorama that despite a push for further devolution, defence and foreign policy must maintain the status quo.
"When it comes to external matters... Scotland is better within the wider construct," Gen Jackson said."When it comes to external matters... Scotland is better within the wider construct," Gen Jackson said.
His comments come as Scotland marks 10 years of devolution.His comments come as Scotland marks 10 years of devolution.
Gen Jackson, who led the British military operation in Iraq, told the BBC that while he respects and understands the desire among Scots for more control over their own destiny, they need to realise that separation would amount to "undue risk with an uncertain world".Gen Jackson, who led the British military operation in Iraq, told the BBC that while he respects and understands the desire among Scots for more control over their own destiny, they need to realise that separation would amount to "undue risk with an uncertain world".
'Celebrate tradition''Celebrate tradition'
He said that while domestic affairs may legitimately lie within the scope of Holyrood, beyond the UK's borders, Scotland needs the rest of the union. He said that while domestic affairs might legitimately lie within the scope of Holyrood, beyond the UK's borders, Scotland needed the rest of the union.
The Black Watch is among the most famous of Scottish regimentsThe Black Watch is among the most famous of Scottish regiments
"When it comes to external matters as opposed to internal - defence, security, foreign policy - then Scotland is better within the wider construct of the United Kingdom.""When it comes to external matters as opposed to internal - defence, security, foreign policy - then Scotland is better within the wider construct of the United Kingdom."
Gen Jackson said that in many respects, the military is a model example of how the Scots can celebrate their own culture within the wider UK. Gen Jackson said that in many respects, the military was a model example of how the Scots could celebrate their own culture within the wider UK.
"It is one army but it is also, when you look at it, a collection of warlike tribes who come together for common purpose," he said of the regiments."It is one army but it is also, when you look at it, a collection of warlike tribes who come together for common purpose," he said of the regiments.
"They come together with their own traditions. And that gives a great richness which reflects the societies whom they serve and from whom they recruit.""They come together with their own traditions. And that gives a great richness which reflects the societies whom they serve and from whom they recruit."
UN vetoUN veto
Colin Keating, a former diplomat from New Zealand and an expert on the United Nations, told the BBC that should Scotland opt for the full independence advocated by the Scottish Nationalist Party, it stands to lose its clout at the UN. Colin Keating, a former diplomat from New Zealand and an expert on the United Nations, told the BBC that should Scotland opt for the full independence advocated by the Scottish National Party, it stood to lose its clout at the UN.
Mr Keating said the most likely scenario would mirror the break-up of the Soviet Union, which saw the most powerful country - Russia - gaining the assets of the union, including a coveted seat on the UN Security Council.Mr Keating said the most likely scenario would mirror the break-up of the Soviet Union, which saw the most powerful country - Russia - gaining the assets of the union, including a coveted seat on the UN Security Council.
"Russia, in effect, took over all the assets and responsibilities of the former Soviet Union and that meant that it was able to keep the veto in the Security Council.""Russia, in effect, took over all the assets and responsibilities of the former Soviet Union and that meant that it was able to keep the veto in the Security Council."
But First Minister Alex Salmond said history is full of people who have been proven wrong in setting limits on what the Scots can do, including those who said there would never be a Scottish parliament, or the SNP in power. But First Minister Alex Salmond said history was full of people who had been proven wrong in setting limits on what the Scots could do, including those who said there would never be a Scottish parliament, or the SNP in power.
"You have to look at the passage of time and history and what people thought at various events," Mr Salmond told Panorama."You have to look at the passage of time and history and what people thought at various events," Mr Salmond told Panorama.
"The idea of having a Scotland that is independent is neither absurd nor unlikely. I think it is inevitable and couldn't come sooner as far as I'm concerned.""The idea of having a Scotland that is independent is neither absurd nor unlikely. I think it is inevitable and couldn't come sooner as far as I'm concerned."
Panorama: Will the Scots ever be happy?, BBC One, Monday 29 June at 2030BST.Panorama: Will the Scots ever be happy?, BBC One, Monday 29 June at 2030BST.