News.Scotland.Org

Scotland, Oct 23: The SNP led Scottish government is stern on its stand against the nuclear weapons system which is stationed in Scotland. The Minister of Defence like the £20 billion replacement for Trident to be based on the Clyde. The government is determined to use all its power to stop the nuclear warheads being based north of the border.

The idea evolved after a summit including politicians, various unions, environmentalists and religious leaders held in Glasgow. Bruce Crawford, the Minister for Parliamentary business, announced a working group to consider the extent of powers that could be used to stop Trident’s successor being brought to Scotland by 2025. This meeting symbolised the beginning of a process to get rid of hazardous nuclear weapon in Scotland.

The minister further added that an expert group will look at the international law, transport, planning and environmental issues which are considered as possible obstacle to the government’s plan. The possible course of action by the government is to refuse planning permission for a dry dock to assist the nuclear submarines or make use of the international laws to prevent war crimes being committed in Scotland. The expert group will also consider the kind of strategy to be adopted by Scotland during the nuclear non-proliferation talks to be held in 2010.

The three hour long summit at Oran Mor, a former church situated in the West End of Glasgow, included SNP and Green MSPs, unions, anti-nuclear campaigners and the former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Very Rev Dr Alan McDonald. Neil Smith, director of corporate communications with the Ministry of Defence was one among the 40 participants of this summit. While commenting on the summit Mc Donald said: “The campaign is just getting intensified and this is a historic event but it is the beginning of the process. It has to gain momentum in the future to be fruitful.”

Mr Crawford said: “Majority of the people, MSPs and MPs were against Trident. Therefore the Scottish Government had the moral responsibility to use the power available to fight against the weapons system.”

The campaigners appreciated the move of giving shape to a working group and termed it as a historic move that helps Scotland to become free from nuclear weapons. While commenting on this Labour and Liberal Democrat MSP’s termed this as a ‘waste of time’ to debate a matter over which the Scottish government had no power.

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