Palin says Alaska's proximity to Russia certifies her foreign policy experience

New York, Sept.26 : Alaska Governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin insisted on Thursday that her home state's proximity to Russia constituted her foreign policy experience.

In a sit down interview with CBS' Katie Couric, Palin indirectly revealed her poor foreign policy credentials by stating "Well, it certainly does because our - our next-door neighbors are foreign countries," referring to Russia and Canada.

Asked if she had held negotiations with Russia, Palin said: "We have trade missions back and forth."

She then launched into a discussion about Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

"It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where - where do they go? It's Alaska," she said.

"It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to - to our state."

Palin was referring to U.S. fighter jets that are occasionally scrambled from Alaskan air bases when Russian war planes stray too close to U.S. air space, aides said.

The comments came as Palin wrapped up two full days of foreign policy meetings in New York with a half-dozen world leaders in town for the UN General Assembly.

Palin also said that she saw the United States as being a force for good in the world.

"America being the beacon of light and hope for those who are seeking democratic values and tolerance and freedom. I see our country being able to represent those things that can be looked to ... as that leadership, that light needed across the world," she said.

ANI