NATURE IS a wonderful thing. It teaches us so well. I see the early years of the Scottish parliament as a "political gestation" period. To my mind Scotland is now in the "recognisable shape" of having a government but one which cannot yet speak directly to the world. As a way of developing a Scottish voice internationally, Scotland ought to be applying to the UN for observer status as a prelude to full membership once independence is here.

Prospects of Scottish success in such an application are reasonable because such status is a matter for the UN (not Westminster) and there is a precedent for such status in the form of the Palestine Liberation Organisation PLO. The UK, as a permanent member of the Security Council, could object to Scottish observer status, but I'd love to hear Gordon Brown argue that Scotland is economically and politically incapable of contributing and culturally and intellectually not worthy of "input" to issues affecting the world.

There are presently 192 UN member states. Some of these are so poor that they sometimes "mail in" their contributions because they can't always afford to send a person, far less a delegation. Compare one of these countries as though it was applying for membership now and imagine a Scottish application lying alongside it. Then ask: "Which country might make the most meaningful contribution?"

It might be argued, whatever one's hopes and aspirations, Scotland is not a sovereign nation. In principle, only sovereign states can become UN members. So that is that? Well, not quite. The present situation is an accident of history and was not always the case. Four of the original member states, namely India, Belarus, the Philippines and Ukraine were not independent sovereign states at the time of their full admission.

Moreover, some "entities" which can, under certain circumstances, be considered sovereign states are not members because the UN does not consider these to be "recognisable sovereign states" due to lack of international recognition or opposition from certain members. That situation applied to Yemen. But can you imagine anyone arguing, for political reasons or because of being "uncivilised", that Scotland is not recognisable'?

The next round of negotiations in the Non Proliferation Treaty begins in April 2008. Scotland should be knocking on that door seeking observer status.

As every expectant mother knows, them that canny yet talk, kin tell ye whit they're a' aboot'. Let's tell them in New York whit we're a' aboot'.