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Scottish Independence: Hillary Clinton opposes 'Yes' vote Scottish Independence: Hillary Clinton opposes 'Yes' vote
(34 minutes later)
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said she would "hate" for Britain to "lose Scotland".Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said she would "hate" for Britain to "lose Scotland".
Her intervention on BBC's Newsnight programme came ahead of the 18 September Scottish independence referendum.Her intervention on BBC's Newsnight programme came ahead of the 18 September Scottish independence referendum.
Ms Clinton praised the democratic way in which Scotland's future was being decided, adding: "I don't have a vote".Ms Clinton praised the democratic way in which Scotland's future was being decided, adding: "I don't have a vote".
The campaign for independence said a "Yes" vote would allow Scotland's relationship with the US to "flourish".The campaign for independence said a "Yes" vote would allow Scotland's relationship with the US to "flourish".
Ms Clinton's comments came during a promotional tour for her memoirs, amid continuing speculation as to whether she will mount a US presidential campaign.Ms Clinton's comments came during a promotional tour for her memoirs, amid continuing speculation as to whether she will mount a US presidential campaign.
The current US president, Barack Obama, has already intervened in the referendum debate, saying his country's interest was to ensure it retained a "strong, robust, united and effective partner".The current US president, Barack Obama, has already intervened in the referendum debate, saying his country's interest was to ensure it retained a "strong, robust, united and effective partner".
When asked about the referendum, Ms Clinton told the BBC: "Oh, I would hate to have you lose Scotland.When asked about the referendum, Ms Clinton told the BBC: "Oh, I would hate to have you lose Scotland.
"I got an honorary degree from St Andrews."I got an honorary degree from St Andrews.
"I hope that that doesn't happen but again I don't have a vote in Scotland.""I hope that that doesn't happen but again I don't have a vote in Scotland."
Analysis: Scott Lucas, professor of American studies, Birmingham University Analysis:
Scott Lucas, professor of American studies, Birmingham University
Hillary Clinton doesn't make off-the-cuff remarks, and she certainly doesn't do so on foreign affairs.Hillary Clinton doesn't make off-the-cuff remarks, and she certainly doesn't do so on foreign affairs.
The fact that President Obama, and indeed other European politicians, have come out vocally against Scottish independence really points to a coordination among policy-makers on both sides of the Atlantic who basically are saying Scotland should remain part of Britain and, in turn, part of the EU.The fact that President Obama, and indeed other European politicians, have come out vocally against Scottish independence really points to a coordination among policy-makers on both sides of the Atlantic who basically are saying Scotland should remain part of Britain and, in turn, part of the EU.
I think this is a concerted campaign. I think it's one that's been discussed by the White House, I think it's been discussed by Number 10 and by other European capitals to try to deter Scottish voters from breaking away from Britain.I think this is a concerted campaign. I think it's one that's been discussed by the White House, I think it's been discussed by Number 10 and by other European capitals to try to deter Scottish voters from breaking away from Britain.
In a sense, they're comfortable. They know the EU, they know it with Scotland being inside it, and change basically frightens them.In a sense, they're comfortable. They know the EU, they know it with Scotland being inside it, and change basically frightens them.
The Swedish foreign minister, Carl Bildt, referred to Scotland leaving as the Balkanisation of Britain, which invokes scary images of the 1990s wars in the former Yugoslavia.The Swedish foreign minister, Carl Bildt, referred to Scotland leaving as the Balkanisation of Britain, which invokes scary images of the 1990s wars in the former Yugoslavia.
I don't agree with those perceptions, but right now this is as much a battle of propaganda as it is one of reality.I don't agree with those perceptions, but right now this is as much a battle of propaganda as it is one of reality.
Hillary Clinton is speaking to the Scottish and British public.Hillary Clinton is speaking to the Scottish and British public.
She might say, and President Obama might say, 'it's up to Scottish voters to make a decision' - but that's like my mother telling me, 'I can't tell you what to do, but you really shouldn't go to that party on Friday night'.She might say, and President Obama might say, 'it's up to Scottish voters to make a decision' - but that's like my mother telling me, 'I can't tell you what to do, but you really shouldn't go to that party on Friday night'.
It will be interesting to see how Scottish voters react, because my perception is that - far from pushing Scottish voters to say 'we have to stay part of Britain' - I think they may assert their own, as it were, independence from these politicians by voting in the referendum precisely to come out of Britain.It will be interesting to see how Scottish voters react, because my perception is that - far from pushing Scottish voters to say 'we have to stay part of Britain' - I think they may assert their own, as it were, independence from these politicians by voting in the referendum precisely to come out of Britain.
Philippa Malmgren, former adviser to President George W. Bush
The United Kingdom is still one of America's most important - if not the most important - defence ally, so it matters whether this nation remains one, or splits into two.
It's only six weeks ago that two British fighter jets were scrambled from Leuchars airbase in Fife, when two Russian jets started to come near British airspace.
The United States right now has quite enough on its plate, with Iraq, issues with both China and the South China Sea and Russia.
To add another defence issue is not what the White House - under any president of any party - would be looking for.
In that sense, I don't think you're going to get the Americans saying, 'go for it'.
There's another issue.
We have quite a few separatist movements of our own in the United States - counties in California that are trying to separate from California, and Texas endlessly wants to become its own nation.
At the end of the day, no president in the United States wants to support separatist movements in general.
The American politician said the process in Scotland was quite different from the recent vote in Crimea over its separation from Ukraine.The American politician said the process in Scotland was quite different from the recent vote in Crimea over its separation from Ukraine.
She added: "There have been legal processes associated with it (the Scottish referendum) and we'll see what the people decide but I would think it would be a loss for both sides. But again I don't have a vote."She added: "There have been legal processes associated with it (the Scottish referendum) and we'll see what the people decide but I would think it would be a loss for both sides. But again I don't have a vote."
A spokesman for the pro-Union Better Together campaign said: "Hillary Clinton is a figure who is respected right across the world. Like president Obama, she understands that the UK is at its strongest when it works together."A spokesman for the pro-Union Better Together campaign said: "Hillary Clinton is a figure who is respected right across the world. Like president Obama, she understands that the UK is at its strongest when it works together."
A Yes Scotland spokesman said: "As she says, the decision about Scotland's future is one for the people of Scotland to make.A Yes Scotland spokesman said: "As she says, the decision about Scotland's future is one for the people of Scotland to make.
"After a Yes vote, the friendship between Scotland and the United States will flourish to the benefit of both nations.""After a Yes vote, the friendship between Scotland and the United States will flourish to the benefit of both nations."