David Miliband

Irish Eyes Smiling

As I explained on Irish radio yesterday the deal secured by Ireland at the European council for a decision in respect of legal guarantees about the Lisbon Treaty, to be followed by the annexing of the decision to a future European treaty, is a win-win - good for Ireland and good for the rest of Europe. All parties there except Sinn Fein support a yes vote in the referendum now planned for early October. But no one is taking anything for granted.

The guarantees address concerns about tax, abortion and defence - and assure that the Lisbon Treaty does not affect Irish practice. My impression is that Irish voters are going to give them a good look. The fact that every country will keep a commissioner is also relevant. I can't tell the Irish how to vote. I can say there was a good deal in Brussels.

Posted at 17:47 02 July 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]

Thank You Mr Collins

I arrived at Leinster House wearing a jacket bearing only passing resemblance to my trousers. My jacket went off the BMI flight on someone else's shoulders (not the hostess' fault) and I had his jacket. The him in this case - you couldn't make it up - turned out to be a Mr Collins. But not Michael. 

Posted at 17:43 02 July 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[0]

Forced Marriage

The Forced Marriage Unit today launched new guidelines for front-line practitioners (including teachers, police, and social and health care professionals) aimed at improving the identification and protection of those at risk of forced marriage.

These guidelines are important. Forced marriage is a serious denigration of human rights. Last year the Unit dealt with 420 individual cases, but no-one knows the real scale - it is likely that many instances remain unreported.
 
The Forced Marriage Unit - a joint unit of the FCO and the Home Office - runs a public helpline to provide advice and support to practitioners handling cases of forced marriage and to victims themselves.  For advice call 020 7008 0151 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, or email fmu@fco.gov.uk.  The FCO Global Response Centre can be reached on 020 7008 1500 for out of hours, emergency advice.

Posted at 12:07 02 July 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]

Curvy Cucumbers

The EU has defied sceptic attacks and shown its distaste for waste, approving the sale of curvy, knobbly, natural fruit. These measures combine common sense and subsidiarity. So there.

Posted at 23:02 30 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

China-European Commission agreement on CCS

I blogged recently about the need to finance environmental measures in developing countries ('A Greener World'). I was pleased to see the European Commission's announcement on Thursday of its intention to help fund carbon capture and storage demonstration with China - particularly since the original EU-China Partnership on Climate Change was launched through a joint declaration during the UK's last EU Presidency in 2005.

We have long argued that providing global certainty on the demonstration of CCS (by 2015) and its deployment (by 2020) is central to any credible climate change agreement which deals effectively with fossil fuel, and coal in particular.

A credible global CCS demonstration effort will require substantive international collaboration between major coal dependent economies. The Commission's announcement is a welcome step in the right direction. Funding CCS demonstration in China would complement the G8's commitment to launch 20 demonstrations in 2010.

More broadly this Commission-Chinese initiative can provide a model for more proposals for collaborative projects between developed countries and emerging economies. Nevertheless we need to act much faster and more ambitiously on CCS and other mitigation technologies as we approach Copenhagen.

Posted at 15:00 30 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]

Toughest Job in Government?

Morgan Tsvangirai has finished a three week tour to rally support to the reform programme he is trying to drive through. I spent part of last week with him. The government supports his efforts. He has viciously difficult structural problems - and a transitional government with Robert Mugabe. One would be tough enough on its own; the two together make his one of the toughest jobs in government.

The UK is determined to offer practical and public support to the implementation of the transitional government's programme leading to fresh elections in about eighteen months. Step by step we will support the reform. Mark Malloch Brown's article in the Times shows the way forward and explains why easing sanctions on members of the Mugabe elite is not the place to start.

It's easy to say Tsvangirai has a battle on his hands. We have to help him.

Posted at 10:05 30 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[0]

Gaza

The G8 Foreign Ministers reiterated their support for UNSC Resolution 1860 and its call for a halt to any smuggling into Gaza and the immediate opening of Crossings.  This is important because rocket fire into Israel has been significantly reduced but not eliminated, while the number of trucks entering Gaza, which leapt last week to over 800, is still below the 500 per day that the UN say is essential.  Meanwhile the closure of crossings provides an incentive for tunnelling and smuggling.  Until these issues are resolved the threat of confrontation remains.

Posted at 21:50 27 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[6]

United effort in Afghanistan

The Italian chairmanship of the G8 group of industrialised countries brought over 40 delegations to Trieste to forge common ideas on Afghanistan and Pakistan.  For Afghanistan, I stressed the importance of credible elections on 20 August. We do not support any particular one (of the 41) candidates but instead are working for a process that commands the confidence of Afghans.  On the civilian side I emphasised: a) governance at provincial and district level; b) reconciliation of former Taliban willing to live by the constitution; and c) the economy and especially the renewal of agriculture.
The leadership in Pakistan has succesfully reached out across the political spectrum to rally popular opinion behind a surge in military activity against the militants.  The people and government of Pakistan need our help to support and then resettle internally-displaced persons as soon as possible.
Strong and credible political leadership is the best antidote to the fear of the war-weary people of both countries. That is what we are trying to support.

Posted at 19:44 27 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[0]

Armed Forces Day

The bravery, intelligence and sacrifices of our armed forces have been given appropriate coverage this week through the media's focus on Afghanistan.  Armed Forces Day gives official recognition and hopefully raises understanding and pride.  It is also a chance to raise extra money for the Help for Heroes charity - the attached link gives details of the run along the Kabul Wall by the British ambassador and the leading British officer, General Dutton. http://www.justgiving.com/H4H-Ambassador-General.

Posted at 19:37 27 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

Michael Jackson

The death of Michael Jackson is very sad news for his family, friends and fans.  My thoughts are with his family at this time.

But the instant Twitter put out in my name last night was not me. 

Posted at 14:16 26 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[5]