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Salmond wants nuclear treaty role Salmond wants nuclear treaty role
(about 7 hours later)
First Minister Alex Salmond is seeking support from the international community in his campaign to rid Scotland of nuclear weapons.First Minister Alex Salmond is seeking support from the international community in his campaign to rid Scotland of nuclear weapons.
He has written to representatives of 189 countries signed up to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).He has written to representatives of 189 countries signed up to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Mr Salmond is asking them to back his bid for Scotland to have observer status at future treaty talks.Mr Salmond is asking them to back his bid for Scotland to have observer status at future treaty talks.
Labour MP Eric Joyce said the letter could "potentially damage our national security interests".Labour MP Eric Joyce said the letter could "potentially damage our national security interests".
Nuclear weaponsNuclear weapons
Defence is not an area devolved to Holyrood.Defence is not an area devolved to Holyrood.
Mr Joyce, the MP for Falkirk, said that the UK had very complex relationships with some countries such as Iran and Zimbabwe.Mr Joyce, the MP for Falkirk, said that the UK had very complex relationships with some countries such as Iran and Zimbabwe.
Mr Joyce said: "Alex Salmond simply cannot know whether he is making damaging assertions or not because he does not know the nature of our relationships with many of these complex and difficult countries.Mr Joyce said: "Alex Salmond simply cannot know whether he is making damaging assertions or not because he does not know the nature of our relationships with many of these complex and difficult countries.
"He has written to some very despotic and dangerous individuals, which we have very sensitive and complex relationships with, and treated it like a weekly political football. It is potentially very damaging to our national security.""He has written to some very despotic and dangerous individuals, which we have very sensitive and complex relationships with, and treated it like a weekly political football. It is potentially very damaging to our national security."
I really do think it is the wrong thing for the SNP to be doing to be hosting a conference they don't have responsibility for Wendy AlexanderScottish Labour leader Read Brian Taylor's blog
Britain's Trident nuclear submarine fleet is based at HMNB Clyde at Faslane.Britain's Trident nuclear submarine fleet is based at HMNB Clyde at Faslane.
I really do think it is the wrong thing for the SNP to be doing to be hosting a conference they don't have responsibility for Wendy AlexanderScottish Labour leader
The SNP government is opposed to the renewal of the nuclear weapons system.The SNP government is opposed to the renewal of the nuclear weapons system.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Iran and Zimbabwe were written to, along with other countries, because they are signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Iran and Zimbabwe were written to, along with other countries, because they are signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"It is not about trying to make common cause with any particular country."It is not about trying to make common cause with any particular country.
"Given that Trident is based in Scotland, I think it is right that we make sure all of these countries know Scotland's view," she said."Given that Trident is based in Scotland, I think it is right that we make sure all of these countries know Scotland's view," she said.
Ms Sturgeon, who is hosting an anti-Trident summit organised by the Scottish Government, added that a majority of Scottish MPs and MSPs and the public were opposed to replacing the Trident system.Ms Sturgeon, who is hosting an anti-Trident summit organised by the Scottish Government, added that a majority of Scottish MPs and MSPs and the public were opposed to replacing the Trident system.
Constitutional mattersConstitutional matters
The topics to be discussed will include how devolved powers could be used to block the possible replacement of the nuclear missile system.The topics to be discussed will include how devolved powers could be used to block the possible replacement of the nuclear missile system.
Opposition parties said the event proved that the SNP focused on constitutional matters more than health and education.Opposition parties said the event proved that the SNP focused on constitutional matters more than health and education.
Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander said the government was wrong to host the event.Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander said the government was wrong to host the event.
She told BBC Scotland's Politics Show: "There are strong views on either side of the argument.She told BBC Scotland's Politics Show: "There are strong views on either side of the argument.
"But it is not a Scotland-England issue, and I really do think it is the wrong thing for the SNP to be doing to be hosting a conference they don't have responsibility for.""But it is not a Scotland-England issue, and I really do think it is the wrong thing for the SNP to be doing to be hosting a conference they don't have responsibility for."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Nicol Stephen MSP said the Scottish Government should get on with the job they were elected to do.Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Nicol Stephen MSP said the Scottish Government should get on with the job they were elected to do.