David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Thursday 18 June, 2009

Iran - elections

Here are links to two interviews on C4 and BBC News  from last night with my views about events in Iran. The scenes from Tehran, and reports from other cities, are remarkable.  The contrast of pre-election debate with post-election violence is deplorable.

People ask whether or not we are doing enough to back Mousavi supporters. Fair question - Senator John Kerry also addressed this issue in a typically eloquent piece today. The fact is that those on the streets have not asked for us to be their spokesmen. We need to stand for our deeply held commitment that it is for the Iranian people to decide on their government, and we will continue to call for peaceful respect for media and protestors. The fact is that many Iranians have severe doubts about the outcome announced on Friday. They deserve to have their doubts addressed.

These are fine lines but we know the cost of crossing them. The memory of foreign intervention throughout their history is deep within all Iranians. A proud people wants to decide its own future.  We should defend that.

Posted at 17:46 18 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[21]

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Don't you think it is in England and America's best interest to support democracy in a country that has never had it, particularly one that could become another North Korea if the loony and dangerous Ahmadinejad returns to power, rather than stand by the wayside and let helpless students and other peaceful demonstrators be killed? You have seen what he does to HIS OWN people. I wonder what he'll do to "infidels."

Posted by A Pensive Moderate on June 18, 2009 at 10:23 PM BST #

I agree with you on that one.

Posted by Sam on June 19, 2009 at 09:55 AM BST #

Dear Mr. David Miliband, Thanking you for taking the most clear and supportive comments on Iranian anti-democracy issues. You may leave Iranian people alone to decide for their country when there is no govermnet that harasses them with gun point and Basij militia. At this point in time, we need a full support of international communities against military threats of Islamic regime. Another area that you may help Iranian people is to provide us with means of communication and media since our sms messgaes are disconnected, interenet is widely filterd and satelite TVs and radios are under noise and parasites.

Posted by Secret on June 19, 2009 at 01:20 PM BST #

Please inform people about this blog in BBC World and BBC Persia since nobody knows about it.

Posted by Secret on June 19, 2009 at 01:21 PM BST #

I was at the select event at New America Foundation where you spoke, reporting it as well. I have to say that seeing this post was very heartening. Pres. Obama has handled it perfectly, the guideline for all politicians, though Republicans are quickly mounting a campaign to label his response "weak," ignorant that this will simply play into Ahmadinejad's hands.

Posted by Taylor Marsh on June 19, 2009 at 01:32 PM BST #

Dear Mr Miliband As a British-Iranian UK citizen I appreciate your government standing on Iran. At this critical juncture for Iranian nation that are simply trying to achieve a just democracy we need your and other European governments to withdraw their ambassadors from Iran. This is not interference in Iranian affairs but to respond against all the lies and slur that Ayatolah Khamenhie has just expressed by blaming all western governments and in particular the British Government. This is about time that your government take a stand against these fabrications. All those that have followed the recent developments in Iran know well that the UK government along with the US president Mr Obama have declined from any interference in Iranian. Therefore, on behalf of all peace loving Iranian people ask you to act against the false statement by Ayatolah Khamenhie. Yours sincerely, Kamran

Posted by Kamran Moslehi on June 19, 2009 at 02:47 PM BST #

It's pointless as both candidates support nuclear weapons for Iran, only Mousavi speaks softer on some other issues

Posted by Proka on June 19, 2009 at 08:40 PM BST #

Dear FM, The only thing was clear in the Khamenei's to day speech that he targeted Briton as the weakest link and the cheapest to attack. What is obvious during these all 30 years Briton has not a solid diplomacy against Mullahs and policy of appeasement has not been a good solution to attract Iranian leaders to return to international community as well as giving up their nuclear ambition and supporting terrorism.

Posted by RezA on June 19, 2009 at 11:53 PM BST #

Hi there, I would ask a simple question. Why Iranians or other nations cannot stand for their rights in their own country and ask help from UK and America? For how long we need their help? Do they not have their own problems? They cannot decide for the Iranians what to do or not to do. They have their own interest in Middle East with false slogans of "democracy" and "change". The media in UK and USA are full of lies and propaganda. Their unbelievable and cruel action in Iraq is coming to the surface now. What did they bring for the Iraqis? Many have lost their homes, children, relatives, fled to other countries etc. Where is the democracy they promised? Why UK and America do not stop interfering other people's lives. Let them live the way they like. In Afghanistan their target is Taliban but everydat civilians are dying. Where are the Talibans? It is the group created by America and Capitalism against Russia

Posted by Said on June 20, 2009 at 09:51 AM BST #

Iranian Freedom Fighters In Iran And Across The World Need Our Help, PLEASE Tell Me Why , US And Western Countries Do Not Make Their STTELITS Available For Iranian In Iran To Use Their Cell Phones By Providing Satellites Access, To Communicate With Each Others And To Out Side Iran. Why CNN, Does Demand The US Government And Others To Provide Everyone’s Satellites Access For Iranian Freedom Fighters To Communicate With Each Others And Able Them To Send Images Of Events In Streets Of Iran With Courage Iranian Dyeing For Freedom. We Have All Capacities To Track Talibans In Afghanistan, With Satellites, Why Not Assist The Iranian To Win Their Freedom, And Show The World What These Blood Hungry Dictators Are Doing To Iranian Now? Faramarsz HELP IRANIAN To Win Their Freedom I Am Iranian Jewish American

Posted by Faramarsz Fouladian on June 20, 2009 at 09:37 PM BST #

"The memory of foreign intervention throughout their history is deep within all Iranians. A proud people wants to decide its own future. We should defend that." It's deep within Britons also, and we want to decide our own future too. But instead we are governed by the foreign power of the EU. If it's good enough for the Iranians, it's damn well good enough for us.

Posted by Pete Moore on June 20, 2009 at 09:40 PM BST #

Mr Miliband, The fact is that the Iranian people at this very moment don't even have the basic means of communication available to them, let alone a voice to ask for your help. Therefore, as a dual Iranian British citizen I am asking you to please pressure the Iranian govt to stop the killing. By the Iranian law people are allowed to go out and demonstrate peacefully, this right was very brutally taken away from them today. No one should stay quiet about what is happening out there. Please help.

Posted by Shadi Kazemi on June 20, 2009 at 11:57 PM BST #

David, I'm from Iran. i guess you know every thing about the violent scenes we are facing in Iran. i'm wondering if is it possible to prosecute Iranian leaders in charge of crime against humankind by EU, USA and other countries? salar

Posted by Salar on June 21, 2009 at 08:48 AM BST #

It is good way to combat terrorism, nuclear power and dictatorship such Iran, but not best.

Posted by human on June 21, 2009 at 08:52 AM BST #

Dear Mr. Miliband I know that you never publish my comments. If you believe in freedom of expression, please publish my comments. Iranian are proud of their democracy. Let me make you assure that all these unrests is not depend on Iranian people. We know that all foreign countries especially British government is main supporter of these protestors. You as politicians have slogan like "Divide and conquer". That is your philosophy. We saw in your media coverage like BBC . I don’t want to deny these incidents. But your government is responsible for all these injuries and killing innocent people. "Actions speak louder than words". In these situations, why your government seize our assets which is 1.6 million USD?? You will get profit from all these unrests. In this juncture situation, I am sure you are final winner.

Posted by ali ahmadi on June 21, 2009 at 12:35 PM BST #

in the name of God mr.Miliband you are mischievous... weiranian people do not like you democracy.... this not your world we are with our leader.... we are muslim...... allah 'o akbar.......down with britania

Posted by down with uk on June 21, 2009 at 07:13 PM BST #

Iranian people are more democratic than their extremist leaders. Any oppression naturally produces its opponents and then the contradictions are positive because those hold the seeds of change. Iran democratic movements want help, but not invasive approaches. Unwelcomed help will mess up the natural process rising against the extremist regime. Republicans can say that it is weak, but President Obama is more considerate to stop in the line as a facilitator for a free Iran without going to be a meddler.

Posted by Chamila Liyanage on June 22, 2009 at 08:31 AM BST #

Thank you very much for this information. Good post thanks for sharing. I like this site ;

Posted by film izle on July 04, 2009 at 02:33 PM BST #

Dear Mr. David Miliband A quick offering of kudos for a most interesting and thought provoking interview on CNN's GPS Sunday morning. Its refreshing to see someone with such grace and obvious intelligence bringing to light the issues facing us all today. If only we had politicians of this caliber here in the U.S. I'm rarely inspired or moved by any policital figure but I felt it important to highlight what was a real pleasure it was to watch and here the interview. Words well thoguht out and delivered !

Posted by Dan Johnson on July 05, 2009 at 06:30 PM BST #

All makes interesting reading. The freedom of expression everyone is expressing is commendable. The issue in point about Iran, the violence and all. Do we not consider that the other fellow is also a child of God? Created in his image? Do we have a right to end their life? Being in the modern tiomes, would it not be prudent to change the way we settle differences other than violence? This is sure the signs of the end ot time. It is a fact.

Posted by GEORGE M.K.MANDULA on July 07, 2009 at 09:14 AM BST #

Dear Mr.Miliband we love you please don't leave Iranian people alone we want democracy we dont want islamic republic help us : we need your help we need a full support of international communities against military threats of Islamic regime. Another area that you may help Iranian people is to provide us with means of communication and media since our sms messgaes are disconnected, interenet is widely filterd and satelite TVs and radios are under noise and parasites.

Posted by Behrouz from Iran on July 12, 2009 at 01:12 PM BST #

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