It is the idea that Britain will anyway have to join eventually, if it is to be a proper, influential member of the European club, so it might as well jump in soon.

ECONOMIST: The merit of waiting

"Given that Scotland would be applying to join as a new member state, there are enormous uncertainties about the terms of such membership, over issues such as currency, rebates, opt-outs and borders, " said the source.

BBC: Nicola Sturgeon

If you do join the military and first work hard to be a good team member and then take on the responsibility of fighting and perhaps dying for the other members of your platoon, they will see that as far more important than anything else.

NPR: Capt. Rawlings Takes Questions from Sadr City

On Europe, the Yes Scotland chief said Scotland would continue to be a member of the European Union and could not be "compelled" to join the Euro single currency.

BBC: Scottish independence: Yes chief praises small economies

The Greek government, which always wanted to be a founder member of the monetary union but could not meet the criteria, aims now to join in January 2001.

ECONOMIST: The euro��s in-and-out club