Scottish First Minister predicts independence from United Kingdom at Press Club Newsmaker

While Scotland -- if it achieves independence from the United Kingdom following the 2014 referendum on that issue -- "will never be a global superpower, it will be a good global citizen," Alex Salmond, the first minister of Scotland, told an April 10 National Press Club Newsmaker.

An independent Scotland will carry with it far-reaching economic, legal, political and security consequences for all of the U.K., Salmond said

Scotland, he said, would have to review its relationships with the rest of the world, including its priorities in foreign and diplomatic affairs and its memberships in international organizations such as the European Union.

But, he said, "I am certain an independent Scotland would be an active member of many...international organizations".

Salmond is also leader of the Scottish National Party, which supports independence from the U.K. Asked to predict the outcome of the 2014 referendum, he replied, "We will win."