David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Wednesday 22 April, 2009

Walkout

The British delegation walked out of the hall at the UN anti-racism conference on Monday when Iranian President Ahmedinejad made outrageous, anti-Semitic comments about "Zionists" and their worldwide conspiracy. As the UN Secretary General said, "I deplore the use of this platform by the Iranian President to accuse, divide and even incite."This is the opposite of what this conference seeks to achieve."

But my team walked back in again.  Why?  Because withdrawing from the process would have handed Ahmedinejad the victory he sought as he campaigns for re-election.  And because millions of victims of racism around the world expect us to show the political courage to address these issues and face down people like Ahmedinejad.

Our tough and consistent approach to this conference secured an agreement that included a clear statement that the Holocaust must never be forgotten if we are to successfully combat racism in all its forms, everywhere.

Posted at 16:22 22 April 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[16]

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President Ahmedinejad has won the minute when from 160 invited countries only about 50 decided to send their delegates. President Ahmedinejad's opinion about the Holocaust and Zionists has been known for many years. Right now UN absolutely humiliated itself by organizing a conference which was in some way ignored by the majority of its members. Mr. Miliband stated that “ world expect us to show the political courage to address these issues and face down people like Ahmedinejad.” How can we fight racism and intolerance without even starting a proper discussion with the opposite site? How can we win that battle when we silently leave the place while others applause the hateful speech of Mr. Ahmedinejad?

Posted by MoSul on April 22, 2009 at 06:28 PM BST #

Why was the decision made to walk out? that was dramatic of course and sends a message and made the news and the anger is understandable but if the west truly does celebrate free speech then why not just acknowledge his right to free speech then use the same platform to educate him as to why he is wrong..point out how the facts don't support his opinions...maybe thats naive : ps. happy birthday to Queen Elizabeth from Canada : !!

Posted by Steve Mc (Canada) on April 22, 2009 at 07:33 PM BST #

I agree, the Holocaust should never be forgotten or even repeated. However, isn't Isreal doing and committing such act every and each day in Gaza and the Palestinian territories. The daily abuse of human rights - denying palestenian the right to freedom of movement, work, freedom of expression, to say the least dignified living as human beings. The enormous wall that was built under the instruction of x-prime minister Mr. Sharon, is a reflection on the abuse committed by Isreal on the people of Palestine every and each day. I agree there should be no racism. However, we have to treat all equal. Israel should be condemned for its acts against Palestinian. The wall that confined Palestinian in a big prison, should not be accepted by a country like Britain. Thanks

Posted by Sawsan Habbal on April 22, 2009 at 08:36 PM BST #

I applaud you Mr. Miliband and your team.I believe that you were right in first walking out.Thereby, showing your disgust with this mans unacceptable comments.Yet, I further applaud you for re-entering this conference and showing President Ahmedinejad that the world has not forgotten the tyrant or his actions,which led the world into war and left a race of people shattered and in ruins.Yet, these people were and are strong.As are all peoples from lands of freedom and liberty. You showed a united strength.And got your message across to him,I am sure.That his words and behavior will not be dismissed or accepted in any way.Thank you !!!!

Posted by Michael Cooper on April 22, 2009 at 10:24 PM BST #

Dear David, first, I just could not believe of what I was reading. But in my opinion you and your team did perfectly well by first leaving the conference and then walking back. I do full agree with you that "millions of victims of racism" would also expect the same- if only to show your political courage in case of issues like that. A clear statement that the Holocaust must never be forgotten is especially in times like these more important as ever before. Best wishes, Ingo-Steven Wais, Stuttgart/Germany

Posted by Ingo-Steven Wais on April 23, 2009 at 11:33 AM BST #

If you truly want to combate racism in all it's forms, then surely facing up to the treatment of the Palestinian people by Israel, and their status as second-class citizens is essential. And the first step to this is allowing those who say things of these nature to have their point of view and to debate with them, even if you think the terms they use are outrageous. Walking out and refusing to listen to accusations of these kind will not bring peace to the Middle East.

Posted by Georgia Sandbach on April 23, 2009 at 12:21 PM BST #

David For years the US and Britain have ignored the plight of the palestinian people. Do you know what it's like to live under occupation? And what was it that that Iranian president said that was so offensive. He simply told us what everybody already knew. That millions of people were displaced as a result of the formation of Israel. Is this not true? I don't always agree with Ahmedinijad and find his denial of the holocaust to be outrageous, but one cannot deny how Israel was created and the cost to the palestinians. The hypocrisy is astonishing. Is criticism of Israel now off-limits because it equates to anti-semitism? The EU walk-out was a joke and a stunt, the UN Security Council needs urgent reform, and Ban Ki Moon is simply a 'yes' man. United Nations? Only in name sir. Also, I hope you will express equal contempt of the use of language and opinion when you meet with your Israeli counter-part Mr Lieberman. Or will it be all hand shakes and smiles?

Posted by James Crosby on April 23, 2009 at 03:37 PM BST #

Dear David and other Readers, Whilst I agree and sympathise with all conveyed so far, we need balanced views. We seem very keen to emphasize we are more than ready to attack Iran. I believe we are seen as hostile by Iran and so the Iranian leadership has become more hostile towards us. Israel has far too much power in the UK, we need more home rule.

Posted by Malcolm Bush on April 23, 2009 at 10:21 PM BST #

James, this was supposed to be a conference about fighting racism everywhere, not Palestine and Israel's difficulties. If we're to single out one, we should cover every country. Why no Sudan for its crimes in Darfur? Why no Russia for its impunity for racist killings against Africans and Central Asians? Or China's treatment of its minorities, including Tibet? There are many examples. Britain did the right thing, on balance. Officials walking out in front of this "head of state" was a real snub. But walking back in and lambasting him was a bigger one. He wanted to wreck the conference and blame the west so as to boost his election campaign, but failed.

Posted by Graham Stone on April 24, 2009 at 11:08 AM BST #

Like million of democratic minded people, I could not believe a leader of nation can deliver such a racist comment on a UN anti-racism conference. It was appalling speech not appropriate and acceptable to the occasion, all should have walkout and it was said to see there are still a lot listening. Iran is best ally of Sri Lanka who is now committing 21st century modern Holocaust and Tamils are at the receiving end. USA, UK, Europe should do more than just walkout, take the step now or we will heading towards to another Holocaust and WW III.

Posted by Shan Mylvaganam on April 24, 2009 at 11:25 AM BST #

This is my second comment on the subject as my first comment has no doubt been censored. Gooderham said that Britain objected to Israel being described as a racist state, and did not take kindly to the Iranian president recalling how Israel was set up. Just like we should not forget the holocaust we should not forget the way Israel was set up. We used violence and we stole the land. Are we sure that Israel is not a racist state. Zionism is racist in my eyes.

Posted by Paul Macdonald on April 25, 2009 at 03:38 PM BST #

the boycott and walkout was rude and uncalled-for behavior. the issue is one of perceived superiority, racism, and the most racist governments in the world let it be known who they are and what they stand for. what you showed the world by your actions was just how true the words of the iranian president are. i listened to what he had to say. did any of you?

Posted by stacy fleming on April 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM BST #

Ahmedinejad is a wannabe genocidaire who should be shunned, shamed and shouted down at every opportunity. Well done Britain - you showed more courage that your "special" friends in giving this mug a bloody nose.

Posted by Drew Peacock on April 25, 2009 at 05:58 PM BST #

Israel only allows people of Jewish linage to immigrate to that nation. Is that racist? No matter what you think of the Iranian president he asks valid questions that everybody else is afraid to address. Why have the Palestian people been made to suffer because of European antisemitism. It was European antisemitism that created the holocaust.

Posted by Stu on April 26, 2009 at 12:26 PM BST #

No wonder President Ahmedinejad elicits such despicable comments as he holds lot more irrational views on world affairs. These are the traits and deeds of the dark ailing world and no longer have any room in progressive beliefs seeking dynamism towards a better world. He just shows his ideological isolation.

Posted by Chamila Liyanage on April 27, 2009 at 09:06 AM BST #

David Miliband doesn’t tell us what exactly it was that Ahmedinejad said that was so outrageous. And like so many people who condemn ‘racism’, he doesn’t define what the word means. If it simply means discrimination on the grounds of race, and if this is really so serious an issue that ‘worldwide racism’ needs to be combated at a UN conference, then surely Israel – one of the most racially discriminatory countries in the world – is fair game. And if you think the racial policies of nation A are none of nation B’s business, then what is the point of the conference at all? And those who complain that Ahmedinejad said nothing about Sudan are missing an important point. If he had have done, the US and UK delegates would not have walked out. The fact that they walked out upon hearing criticism of Israel should tell you something about the power of that nation’s lobby.

Posted by Alan Price on April 28, 2009 at 07:45 PM BST #

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