David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Tuesday 28 October, 2008

“Sultanate”

11 hour day flights mean we can watch the films we should have seen years ago (“Three Days of the Condor”) and read up the important but not immediate.  Anyone wanting to understand the conundrum of Iran should read this article by renowned dissident, Akbar Ganji.  (You can also visit the website at akbarjanji.org).  The comments of President Ahmadinejad are egregious but the challenges are deeper.  The Iranian state feeds off conspiracy.  The educational aspirations of its mass of people, by contrast, are its and our greatest hope.  But that is a long term challenge, and the nuclear and regional issues are shorter term.  The point of our approach is to square the circle – maximise the cost of current and past non compliance with UN resolutions and NPT responsibilities, and maximise the benefits of a change of policy/direction.

Posted at 12:15 28 October 2008 by David Miliband  |  Comments[9]

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Dear Mr. David Miliband I often read your blog in Russian on radio station “echo Moskvy”. Unfortunately your posts do not cause that reaction which can be you expect. Russians do not trust sincerity of the western politicians. Russian have got used, that their great country should dominate and your statement about size of the Russian economy them has offended. You will achieve nothing from the Russian society, they scoff at your posts and thus ego-trip. I badly know English and on it, can be not clear I state the thought, but it seems to me, your posts of Russians do not touch.

Posted by Abdul Kakhidze on October 31, 2008 at 07:13 PM GMT #

To Abdul Kakhidze Mr. Miliband isn't Russian Foreign Secretary so it's absolutely normal that some his issues are not very popular among Russians. I suppose that Russian version of his blog is useful, because it's read and discussed. So it gives opportunity to many people to know his point of view and that is a good result. It's a pity that Iranians have to live in that terrible Sultanate, but I believe that any ideological gulag will fall one day, it's only the question of time.

Posted by Nikolai Kryukov on November 02, 2008 at 10:17 PM GMT #

Interesting read David. I gather you took on board the points about US meddling in the 70's, the overthrowing of a legitimate leader by the US? Now can I suggest you go off and read some of Mr Ganji's other articles, namely on the illegal war in Iraq.

Posted by Michael Whittingham on November 03, 2008 at 01:47 PM GMT #

To Abdul Kakhidze. It's still unclear to me why you decided to speak out on behalf of all Russians and affirme that Russians don't trust the Western politicians.?! And who told you that Russia should be the dominant country over all-other countries.? I'm originally from The Russian Federation, but I cannot say for sure about the size or the potentiality of our economic policy, as most of the time we are shown the illusioned numbers of the so-called state's prosperous economic plan.Wake up and open your eyes, Russians, our country is degradating. I do respect David Miliband's point of views even though I amn't quite agree with him on many of them, but , nevertheless, his humanitarian actions can be seen and deserve, at least, a bit of respect from you. I'm also a future diplomat, and you know it'snot that Dolce Vita...... To David Miliband. What's going on in Iran shouldn't be any surprise to you,Mr. Miliband, it isn't a western society with europene stereotypes, and such kind of rulling form as "Democracy" couldn't be incited at the Persions. Peoples of other mentalities will never be able to look at the world in the light of the western civilizations different traditions, customs, lifestyles etc., so if the pro-western politicians are willing to help the population of Iran to improve their everyday life, they will have to learn to percieve their conviction of the world, and ethnocentrism is of no use here. As well as we mustn't forget the most important fact that "Theocracy" dominates in the country,and it's nothing out of the ordinary that Ali Khamenei is considered as the most powerful figure in the government and controls all executive, legislative and judicial organes. But as for censorship, corruption......and tortures,mnn, I believe there's not any country who wouldn't have, at least, one of these phenomenas.

Posted by Liza on November 03, 2008 at 09:44 PM GMT #

I always wonder why your country keeps flirting with those Mullahs? They use to visit your country for everything and you only limit the visa you issue for them and their relatives and family, their world will shake!

Posted by sam on November 13, 2008 at 05:48 PM GMT #

I think you need to know who is the real Akbar Ganji and find out what has he done before becoming so everyones call an activist. You don't need to go back so far, have a look at the last 20 years and you will see who he was or maybe still is. These are puppets and now they deciding to approach people in different way and prove to the world they are innocents.

Posted by Kaveh on November 14, 2008 at 08:03 AM GMT #

As an Iranian, I believe the knowledge of western countries about Iran and Iranians is almost nothing. Not only western politician have not any idea how to influence positively on Iranian people which is the most effective way to deal with Iran But also they cause more trouble for democratic movements in Iran. If some years ago those countries were putting some pressure on Iran about Human rights, democratic values and increasing their relationship with Iranian society through tourist, education and business, now you would not come to a situation that just brings more pain and suffer for everyone mostly Iranian people. Consequently they are more united and backing Iranian government now. Now we are like separated Island, that`s the worst thing can happen. Like any other countries Iran needs its own security & power to play a rule which suits to its historical and cultural background. Look at Iraq, Cuba, North Korea, Libya. Could not they bear sanction in some cases for many decades? Who suffered? Definitely their people. This approach that you are suggesting would not work.

Posted by Payman on November 14, 2008 at 09:20 AM GMT #

Hello Sir Miliband, As an Iranian journalist, I want to express my thanks and appreciation for your deep understanding of issues related to Iran And your interest in these issues is very appreciated. hamidreza london

Posted by Hamidreza Zarifinia on November 14, 2008 at 03:24 PM GMT #

Dear sir Thanks for your advise to read akbar ganji article,this can really help to understanding of issues related to islamic republic of iran.and this really truth. i live in iran i really agree with mr akbar ganji.

Posted by amir on November 14, 2008 at 07:11 PM GMT #

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