Intro:

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond played down suggestions the Glasgow Commonwealth Games could influence the nation's upcoming independence referendum, as he welcomed the Games to Glasgow on Tuesday (22nd July).

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Alex Salmond, Scotland First Minister (on the upcoming referendum for Scotland's independence):

"We're talking about a process that's been going on for a century of power returning to Scotland. And in that century not a single person has lost their life arguing either for or against Scottish independence, I don't think anyone has had a nosebleed, which is a remarkable thing. Which is prized and precious for us. We're conducting that debate in the best possible manner and everyone should, but we are well able, given that whole century of debate and the last few years of intense debate, to say look we've got 10 days here, we're going to concentrate on presenting Scotland to the world. We can do that and we'll have plenty of time when the games are over and we've all had a fantastic time in celebration to get back into the thick of the referendum debate. I look forward to that referendum debate, but I look forward enormously to the next 10 days."

SOUNDBITE (English) Alex Salmond, Scotland First Minister (on whether it is worth spending the money hosting the Commonwealth Games):

"Yes, the promotion of Scotland fantastic. Yes, the physical infrastructure for Glasgow and around the country fantastic. But this is something which changes lives and changes them for the better so I think it's £575 million well spent."