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Salmond praises 'Scots' president Salmond praises 'Scots' president
(20 minutes later)
First Minister Alex Salmond has sent his congratulations to the US president-elect, Barack Obama.First Minister Alex Salmond has sent his congratulations to the US president-elect, Barack Obama.
He said: "This was a victory for optimism over pessimism, for hope over fear."He said: "This was a victory for optimism over pessimism, for hope over fear."
Mr Salmond said Americans had chosen another president of Scottish descent, and he invited Obama to Scotland during the 2009 Year of Homecoming. Mr Salmond said Americans had chosen another president of Scottish descent, and he invited Mr Obama to Scotland during the 2009 Year of Homecoming.
According to genealogists, Obama can trace his ancestry to William the Lion, who ruled Scotland from 1165 to 1214. According to genealogists, Mr Obama can trace his ancestry to William the Lion, who ruled Scotland from 1165 to 1214.
The first minister said 12 US presidents had been of Scottish descent.The first minister said 12 US presidents had been of Scottish descent.
Mr Salmond continued: "It is time for a leader with your commitment to cooperation, and your belief that the improbable can be possible with goodwill and hard work." He told BBC Scotland Mr Obama would lead America in the right direction.
The first minister said Senator Obama had sent a message of support to the Scottish Government in April for the Tartan Day and Scotland Week celebrations in the US. He said: "He's got some enormous issues, not just for America but for the world, and I think for the first time in the lifetimes of most of us, there is a real sense of expectation that the leadership of the free world is in the hands of someone who wants to set a direct action of change.
"I think this will unleash a latent sense of good will towards Americans - the like of which we've never seen."
Scottish ancestry
Mr Salmond said Mr Obama had sent a message of support to the Scottish Government in April for the Tartan Day and Scotland Week celebrations in the US.
"He was kind enough to send a message of support to Scotland earlier this year pointing out his own Scottish ancestry," he said.
"So it seems there's another Scot in the White House and that must be a good thing."
The homecoming celebrations in Scotland are to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns.The homecoming celebrations in Scotland are to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns.