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Well, it seems that just about anybody from anywhere has an opinion on Scotland`s upcoming referendum ...

 

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/480420/Scottish-independence-Barack-Obama-backs-united-UK

 

 

 

Barack Obama says Scotland should stay in UK

 

BARACK Obama has urged Scots to reject independence, saying the United Kingdom is better off remaining together.

 

 

 

By: Kerry Gill

Published: Thu, June 5, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish indepdence, US, President, Barack Obama, G7, David Cameron, Prime Minister, First Minister, Alex Salmond, Better Together, SNP Barack Obama hailed the UK as 'an extraordinary partner'[REUTERS]

 

 

Britain works "pretty well" as a "united" nation, the US President said in major intervention in the debate over Scotland's future.

 

He also stressed that it was in the interests of the United States that the UK remained a strong and effective ally.

 

Mr Obama's comments will come as a blow to Alex Salmond who has made several trips to America to advance the separatist cause.

 

The First Minister tonight attempted to limit the damage insisting Scotland wanted its independence like the US, adding: "Yes, we can."

 

But the President's statement marks the first time any world leader has effectively asked voters to reject secession.

 

Speaking at a joint press conference with David Cameron at the G7 summit in Brussels Mr Obama said: "With respect to the future of the United Kingdom, obviously, ultimately this is up to the people of Great Britain.

 

"In the case of Scotland, there is a referendum process in place and it's up to the people of Scotland.

 

"But I would to say the United Kingdom has been an extraordinary partner to us. From the outside at least, it looks like things have worked pretty well.

 

"We obviously have a deep interest in making sure one of the closest allies we will ever remains a strong, robust, united and effective partner."

 

Until now American diplomats have said their country would remain neutral over the independence issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

‘Balkanisation’ of Britain would be a disaster, says top Swedish minister

Alex Salmond ‘talks like Kim Jong-il’ says Better Together leader Alistair Darling

 

 

 

The United Kingdom has been an extraordinary partner to us. From the outside at least, it looks like things have worked pretty well

 

Barack Obama

 

 

However, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has previously warned Scots not to back independence as it would bad for Europe.

 

The senior democrat told an industry awards ceremony in Glasgow two years ago voters should settle for devolution rather than breaking away.

 

Mr Obama's remarks - clearly thrashed out well before the Brussels conference - will infuriate Mr Salmond and his Yes Scotland campaign.

 

As soon as news of Mr Obama's comments started to spread, some Nationalists took to social media sites attacking US foreign policy.

 

The remarks follow a warning Carl Bildt, the Swedish foreign minister who said a Yes vote would lead to the "Balkanisation" of the UK.

 

And pro-Union campaigners were delighted with President Obama's "important contribution".

 

Labour Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "His clear statement of support for the UK staying together will resonate with many of us here in Scotland.

 

"As a global statesman President Obama understands that interdependence is a defining feature of our modern world, and that building bridges, not putting up new barriers, is the challenge of our generation."

 

A Better Together spokesman said: "As President of the United States, Barack Obama knows more than anyone how important it is for people to work together.

 

"No doubt the nationalists will dismiss President Obama as scaremongering."

 

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: "President Obama has every right to explain to people how the break-up of Britain would affect our relationship with America.

 

"He clearly recognises the strong and effective partnership his country has with the UK and our many shared achievements through the years.

 

Ms Davidson added: "People in other countries can't understand why you would want to break up one of the strongest, wealthiest and most successful nations on the planet."

 

Burt Mr Salmond borrowed the President's famous election slogan to declare "Yes we can" have independence.

 

He added: aid: "As President Obama rightly observes, the decision on Scotland's future is up to the people of Scotland.

 

"We are deeply fortunate as a nation that we have the opportunity to gain our nation's independence in such a profoundly democratic way, as Mr Obama himself previously acknowledged - and not through conflict as has been the case with so many nations, including the United States itself.

 

"An independent Scotland will mean that America has two great friends and allies here rather than one."

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Someone else for the Yessers to dislike in the world.

 

Anyone who still likes or admires Obama hasn't been paying attention for the past 6 years, so if I can just paraphrase for the hard of thinking:

 

"hey, Jockos! It has taken us 70 years to train our British lapdog to the point of total, slavish obedience and we will not tolerate anything that puts that "special relationship" at risk.

Nor will we tolerate anything that threatens the UK permanent member status at the UN, thereby putting one of our two guaranteed votes at risk.

Nor will we tolerate anything that reduces our ability to undermine the European project from within via our British agent provacteurs.

 

The US has a deep interest in making sure that our strategic interest is protected and if things look like they will swing in favour of 'Yes', we'll 'make sure' that things go back to the 'No Massas' sorry 'No-sirs'.

Be a shame if something happened at these nice new commonwealth games y'all got goin' on, or at that Ryder Cup. Know what I'm saying?".

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This is the country that celebrates their own independence day....

 

Turns out Downing Street asked the BBC to plant the question, which they duly did.

Yet, oddly, the 'impartial broadcaster' failed to mention on a single news item that it was a BBC hack who had posed the question.

Usually, they'd make sure we all knew that the POTUS had answered a BBC journalist's question - yet on this occasion, they didn't mention that. I wonder why.

Always good to see the BBC living down to expectations.

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