EDINBURGH: Scotland’s pro-independence leader Alex Salmond said the “eyes of the world” were on a momentous referendum next week that could break a 307-year-old union with England.
Salmond said the September 18 vote would be “a process of national empowerment,” as new figures came out showing a record 4.3 million people had registered to vote — higher than for any previous elections in Scotland.
“Scotland is on the cusp of making history. The eyes of the world are upon Scotland,” Salmond said in Edinburgh, a day after British Prime Minister David Cameron also visited the Scottish capital to plead for the preservation of “a family of nations.”
“Scotland will vote ‘Yes’ next Thursday because last-minute... promises from the ‘No’ campaign will not fool anyone,” said First Minister Salmond, who heads up Scotland’s current devolved government.
“As a country we are rediscovering self-confidence, as a nation we are finding our voice.... On September 18, we the people hold our destiny in our own hands,” he added.
Polls show Scottish voters are almost evenly divided between the “Yes” and the “No” although one survey so far has put the pro-independence camp just ahead of the unionists.
The most recent one, published on Wednesday by Scotland’s Daily Record newspaper, showed 53 percent against independence and 47 percent in favor, without counting undecideds.
Scotland ready to make history, claims Salmond
Scotland ready to make history, claims Salmond
Trump says he plans to name Gaza Board of Peace early next year
- It says the Board of Peace will operate “until such time as the Palestinian Authority (PA) has satisfactorily completed its reform program … and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza.”
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that an announcement about which world leaders will serve on the Gaza Board of Peace should be made early next year.
Trump told reporters during an economic event in the White House Roosevelt Room that a variety of leaders want to be on the board, which was established under a Gaza plan that set up a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants.
Trump said “the kings, the presidents, prime ministers — they all want to be on the Board of Peace.” He said it should be announced in the new year.
“It’ll be one of the most legendary boards ever. Everybody wants to be on it,” he said.
A United Nations Security Council resolution adopted on November 17 authorized a Board of Peace and countries working with it to establish a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza.
The resolution, drafted by the US, described the Board of Peace as a transitional administration “that will set the framework, and coordinate funding for, the redevelopment of Gaza” in line with Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
It says the Board of Peace will operate “until such time as the Palestinian Authority (PA) has satisfactorily completed its reform program … and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza.”
