Letter: Scots profile

Gerry Hassan's breathtaking assumption (23 April) that "most Scots don't really aspire to having an international profile or diplomatic force on the world stage…" is reminiscent of the sort or argument used 100 years ago to deny women the vote on the grounds that the poor dears can only cope with domestic issues.

Does Mr Hassan really believe that Scots have no interest in how the European Community deals with fishing concerns or whether we have nuclear weapons on Scottish soil, for example?

Would Scotland have been involved in the invasion of Iraq had we our own voice in international and defence affairs?

Scots have always had a deep interest in what is going on in the world community. Many of us feel that if we had a voice in that debate there is much that we could contribute.

Dr Ian McKee

Fernielaw Avenue

Edinburgh