David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Saturday 06 December, 2008

Simple task

This article by Brent Scowcroft and Zbigniew Brzezinski  puts the Middle East centre stage for the new Obama administration.  It is worth reading.  They are basically right.

Posted at 22:03 06 December 2008 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

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Wouldn't you think that the paragraph on "history" in your FCO country profile on Israel is totally off track by simply ignoring the 5000 years of the Jewish people's as one of the major ancient civilizations, their monumental contribution to mankind through the Bible and as the precursor of monotheism. At least you could recall that "the origins of the modern state of Israel lie in its ............" -as you mention for other far less signicant countries; and you can definitely mention its near 5000 year historic background and continual presence in the Holy Land -for other countries you have no problem in even going back to the ice age as a point of reference! Where is your sense of proportion?!

Posted by kenneth handler on December 08, 2008 at 09:48 AM GMT #

Here I'll afford myself to partially oppose the Scowcrofts' and Brzezinskis' point of view on tackling the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Firstly, the Barack Obama election wasn't so favourably met by arabs in the Middle East as it was by Africans in the African continent. Not a secret that Obama isn't a muslim, but a true christian man. Secondly,it seems to be almost impossible to make the Palestinian refugees to get a financial compensation instead of their right to return to their homeland. Thirdly, the authors have mentioned about Israeli security, but not a single word about the security of the Palestinian people. Or they think that only Israelis are afflicted by the situation?! In my view, both states should be secured by the INTERNATIONAL security forces. Nato will only exacerbate the peacekeeping process. Remains to be seen!

Posted by Louisa on December 08, 2008 at 02:20 PM GMT #

David; no word from you on the unrest in Greece, the cradle of civilisation, where the ordinary people are taking their grievances onto the streets...

Posted by Paul on December 08, 2008 at 09:53 PM GMT #

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