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2007
Letter from Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond to states parties
to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, October 15, 2007
"I am writing to you, as representative of a State Party to the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to inform you of the Scottish Government's
views and determination to play as constructive a part as possible in
pursuing our country's nuclear disarmament obligations under the NPT.
We also intend to explore the possibility of taking up observer status
at future NPT meetings, so that we can more directly and effectively represent
the aspirations and interests of Scotland's people. In the event that
we do seek that status, I would hope we would be able to count on your
government's support.
"As you may know, the United Kingdom currently deploys a 4-submarine
Trident nuclear weapon system from the Faslane Naval Base in Scotland.
The UK also stores up to 200 nuclear warheads a few miles further along
the coast, in Coulport. Last March the UK government pushed through the
Westminster Parliament a preliminary decision to renew the Trident system,
thereby signalling its intention to continue to make and deploy nuclear
weapons beyond 2050. The majority of Scottish people and their elected
representatives oppose these deployments.
"In May, for the first time since the nuclear age began in 1945, the
people of Scotland elected a government that is opposed to nuclear weapons.
On 14 June, the Scottish Parliament debated the following motion in relation
to the UK Government's policy on nuclear weapons:
"That the Parliament congratulates the majority of Scottish MPs for voting
on 14 March 2007 to reject the replacement of Trident, recognises that
decisions on matters of defence are matters within the responsibility
of the UK Government and Parliament and calls on the UK Government not
to go ahead at this time with the proposal in the White Paper, The Future
of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent."
"The Scottish Parliament showed clear and overwhelming opposition to
the UK Government's plan to replace its Trident nuclear weapons system
(by 71 votes to 16, with 39 abstentions), and widespread support for this
Government's vision of a Scotland without nuclear weapons.
"During the debate, the Scottish Government signalled its intention to
reflect on the views of the majority of Scots and carefully consider which
aspects of the UK Government's plans to replace Trident impact on our
responsibilities in Scotland under devolution. We made it clear that we
will do all that we can, in light of those responsibilities, to persuade
the UK Government to change its stance both on the replacement programme
and on the general principle of maintaining and deploying nuclear weapons.
"Recognising that there are a range of views on the constitutional future
of Scotland, we have embarked on a National Conversation with the Scottish
public on the options for constitutional change leading to further development
of the way we govern ourselves. As part of this debate on Scotland's constitutional
future, we will be holding a high level meeting of key stakeholders from
across Scottish life to discuss the implications of the replacement of
Trident and what a Scotland without nuclear weapons might look like.
"I would like to assure you of Scotland's deep commitment to international
peace and security, and our desire to participate in making the case for
implementation of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation provisions
of the NPT and other relevant international agreements and treaties. Please
do not hesitate to contact me if you or your government wish to discuss
these issues further."
Source: Rob Edwards, Freelance journlist's website, www.robedwards.com.
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2007
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