David Miliband

Building a Palestinian State

I set out my views on the news of settlements in East Jerusalem earlier in the week. They have undoubtedly reinforced scepticism about the chances of peace in the Middle East. But I was also struck by the announcement this week that forty-two Palestinian security personnel were being investigated for abuses. That might look like bad news. It's not. I've seen with my own eyes in Jenin how the Palestinian security forces are making West Bank towns safer for ordinary Palestinians, as well as combatting terrorism. But there are also very real concerns about how some detainees are treated. That is now being addressed.

Palestinians are working to develop, with our and others' support, the highest professional standards: both in effectiveness and accountability. They have taken some big steps. We have been able to relax our security advice to British visitors to the West Bank and, in September, sponsored a tourism mission. The Palestinians are building their own state - which means security forces they can trust and be proud of. Prime Minister Fayyad called it last week "positive unilateralism".

Posted at 11:36 20 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[0]

Copenhagen – We still have a chance

As this Guardian article set out, Brazil has become the latest country to say it will offer an emissions reduction target at Copenhagen.

Following the EU’s legally binding commitments, and alongside the recent Japanese and Korean announcements, this shows that momentum is still building. Countries, both developing and developed, are willing to make commitments to produce an ambitious global deal.

I met this week with South American journalists; the region will be crucial to any deal. 

Posted at 14:34 19 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]

A Marshall Plan for Pakistan?

Glen Hubbard, writing in the Washington Post sets out the argument for a new Marshall Plan for Pakistan. It is a striking model. No one can argue that the Marshall Plan didn’t rebuild Europe sixty years ago. And as I argued in my speech on Tuesday, we must do all we can to support and partner the democratic government in Pakistan. Hubbard’s idea is certainly something worth thinking about.

Posted at 12:04 19 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]

Violence in Zimbabwe

On 16 October the Movement for Democratic Change disengaged from the inclusive government in Zimbabwe. Since then there has been an increase in ZANU-PF-orchestrated violence and human rights abuses.

In particular, ZANU-PF has targeted civil society activists, MDC members, farm workers and trade union leaders.  We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to comply with international human rights standards - including by guaranteeing a fair trial for those prosecuted.  

The Southern African region has a key role to play. I urge it to assume responsibility for supporting implementation of the Global Political Agreement, including the provisions aimed at restoring democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.  

The outcomes of the regional Maputo Summit on 5 November are encouraging - leaders signalled their clear support for reform in Zimbabwe, and the MDC re-engaged with the inclusive government. South Africa and the region need to remain committed to the goal of a reformed Zimbabwe.

Posted at 15:11 11 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

Marine Protection

Yesterday the Foreign Office launched a public consultation on the creation of a Marine Protected Area in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). This UK Overseas Territory is made up of some 55 tiny islands in over half a million square kilometres of ocean. The Great Chagos Bank is the world's largest atoll.  The Territory's islands, reef systems and waters are among the richest on the planet in terms of biodiversity. It contains around half of all Indian Ocean reefs that remain in good condition, and it has the Indian Ocean's densest population of several seabird species. Exceptional numbers of coconut crabs live there, along with recovering populations of Hawksbill and Green Turtles.  

This is an exciting opportunity to create one of the world's greatest natural conservation areas. I hope that those with an interest in protecting the environment are able to participate. 

Posted at 11:54 11 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[6]

Visit to Bosnia

Last week I made a brief visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a country with a clear Euro-Atlantic perspective, but it’s struggling to make progress on a range of reforms to help deliver progress on EU and NATO membership. My meeting with political leaders provided an opportunity to reiterate UK support for the 'Butmir' process - an ongoing EU/US initiative to energise the reform agenda. This includes working towards completion of the conditionality set by the International Community for closure of the Office of the High Representative in BiH, as well as reforms to make the structure and decision making processes within government more effective.

Although there are currently stark differences between some political leaders on their vision for future governance arrangements, I remain convinced there is enough common ground to reach an agreement.

The ongoing trial of Radovan Karadzic shows that the legacy of the conflict remains prominent. I saw the remarkable work that the International Commission on Missing Persons are doing to identify the remains of those missing and support the ICTY and regional courts. This is helping bring justice and closure to victims of the conflict from all ethnic groups. 

Posted at 11:18 11 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

Iraq election law

It is very good news that the Iraqi Council of Representatives has agreed the basis for next January's national election.  

The fact that Iraq's political leaders overcame a number of hurdles in reaching an agreement is a real sign of Iraq's democratic progress.   

Iraq  held peaceful provincial and regional elections  this year  and  January's national election  will be further evidence that the Iraqi people have chosen dialogue and democracy over those who offered nothing but violence.

Posted at 18:31 09 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Goldstone

The Gaza conflict at the start of the year shocked and polarised opinion.  This week in New York we considered the Goldstone report.  Some say it is flawed and to be dismissed out of hand.  Some that the issues it raises are so serious we must endorse it.  I agree with both analyses, but disagree with both conclusions.  

The report is flawed but the issues grave.  Hamas rockets fired indiscriminately at Israeli citizens seriously violate international law.  Hamas should reject such actions and release Gilad Shalit.  But Israel should also see that their investigations so far have failed to convince not just dyed in the wool opponents, but those genuinely committed to Israel's security, that it has addressed some serious allegations.  We worked hard before the vote at the UN in New York yesterday to reach a consensus on calling for independent investigations.  In the end we had to abstain, with France and forty two others,  because voting for would have meant endorsing the report and ignoring its flaws.  But the issues are serious and the parties should address them.  

Posted at 16:53 06 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[5]

African Union agreement on internally displaced persons

It’s extraordinary that there are over 11 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa. The African Union statement  highlights the problem across at least 20 African states where people are currently internally displaced. Now we need to turn the words into action and help these displaced people.

Posted at 16:28 06 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Waziristan

Gideon Rachman of the FT says the Pakistan Army’s action in Waziristan is the most important thing happening in the world at the moment.

This article by Anatol Lieven focuses on the key points. The links between the insurgency of West Pakistan and East Afghanistan are key to the future of both countries. And the links of government and population in each country - and the loyalty government commands – the essential resource for the future.

Posted at 13:32 06 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Chatham House awards Brazil’s Lula

I am sorry I am not in London this week to meet President Lula when he receives the Chatham House Prize, awarded annually to the statesperson deemed by Chatham House members to have made the most significant contribution to improving international relations in the previous year. President Lula's leadership of Brazil, domestically and internationally, has been remarkable.

Brazil has made itself a key player on a range of international issues, bridging traditional North-South and East-West divides with policies and approaches of humanity and rationality. (I’m biased, I suppose, because the Foreign Minister Celso Amorim was a student of my dad’s.) In the run up to the Copenhagen climate summit we will need Brazil more than ever. Here is President Lula’s UN speech: http://www.un.org/ga/64/generaldebate/pdf/BR_en.pdf

Posted at 10:36 06 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[0]

British Council's 75th birthday

The British Council celebrated its 75th birthday yesterday. Through the aftermath of war; the end of Empire; the chill of the Cold War and the rise of Al Qaeda, the Council has upheld the values of democratic governance and debate, delivering a service of intercultural relations which is much admired (and still being copied) around the world. Last year alone, the Council engaged face to face with 13.2 million people and reached 221 million.

In 1936 The British Council’s Chairman William Tyrrell defined the Council’s role as "removing misunderstanding and promoting understanding”. Today, public diplomacy is arguably more important than ever. Citizens are more literate  and more informed.  They are connected to the outside world through trade, media and travel;  more able to communicate with each other, to organise, to hold power to account, and to exert influence over political decision making. This is not just true in established democracies - public opinion also constrains more authoritarian leaders.

So if we are to promote our values and influence our world in the 21st century, we must renew our soft power. The British Council, alongside other organisations such as the BBC World Service, have a central role to play in people-to-people diplomacy and I wish them many happy returns!

Posted at 10:05 06 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Moscow Thoughts

I've now finished my Moscow programme. You can see my press conference with FM Lavrov here.  We have reviewed difficult issues in bilateral relations, and discussed the whole range of international challenges on which Britain and Russia have a responsibility to work together as Permanent Members of the UN Security Council. I met NGOs, human rights defenders, businesses, politicians (and ex-politicians - President Gorbachev). And I met my remarkable great-great aunt/second cousin twice removed, Sofia.

I wanted my visit to add drive and depth to British/Russian relations. That does not mean ignoring difficult issues; but it can't mean taking out one's frustration about those issues by neglecting opportunities for joint work.

The best hope for the sort of Russia we want is serious and principled engagement. The statements we signed on Afghanistan, nuclear disarmament and non proliferation, and the Middle East show how much we have in common. We need to work together on Iran.  We have a thriving trade and investment relationship which our two governments have a strong interest in promoting. Peter Mandelson and Deputy PM Kudrin will be co-chairing our bilateral steering committee on trade and investment in London later this week.

It’s best not to have illusions. The Russians don't. Their history warns against it. But we need each other, so we’d better make it work. Today we are a step forward from yesterday.

Posted at 17:04 03 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[6]

Visiting Moscow

I will be visiting Moscow on Sunday and Monday at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.   This is the first full bilateral visit to Russia by a British Foreign Secretary for five years and forms part of a continuing political dialogue with Moscow - shortly after my visit Peter Mandelson will be hosting Deputy Prime Minister Kudrin in London for the bilateral Steering Committee on Trade and Investment.

We don't always see eye to eye with Russia, but we share the same global challenges and it is important that we work on them together.  And as we are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and members of the G8 and G20, there is a wide range of questions where, by working together, we really can make a difference.  

The wealth of people-to-people contacts and the dynamic business links which have grown between Britain and Russia over the last twenty years make political engagement all the more important. While I am in Moscow  I will be meeting representatives of  Russian civil society  -  I look forward to hearing what they have to  tell  me about the issues which matter to them. 

Posted at 16:13 30 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[7]

More than a Facelift

You might have noticed that the look of the Foreign Office website has changed. Actually, it’s more than just a facelift. There is now more focus on top global issues, with information offered in one and place in different, more engaging ways. There is also easier access to key Foreign Office services and information.

This is important because it reflects our commitment to clearly inform and genuinely engage on foreign policy, and to use the web to make a difference on important global issues.

Look out for changes in the design of this blog soon…

Posted at 13:07 30 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]