Obama Tells Scotland Not to Secede From Britain

Also Warns Britain Not to Exit the European Union

Speaking at a press conference at the end of the G7 summit, President Obama has urged Scottish voters to reject independence, saying that it is not in America’s interest to see Scotland independent from Britain.

The comments mark the first direct US intervention in the upcoming referendum, and were quickly criticized by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, saying Scotland only wanted the same independence the US got hundreds of years ago, and that they are fortunate enough to be able to get it through a vote instead of a war of independence.

Obama’s comments insisted the US has an “extraordinary partner” in the United Kingdom, and doesn’t want to see it risked. Salmond said the US could have two partners if Scotland is independent.

The comments are unusually direct, as most nations have tried to avoid direct involvement in the Scottish independence movement, and Obama’s opposition is unlikely to change much, except giving it more publicity.

Such meddling appears to be common for Obama, and in the same conference he warned Britain against leaving the European Union, insisting the US wants Britain to remain in the EU to “ensure prosperity.”

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.