David Miliband

Colombia

Chris Bryant was in Colombia last week and had an important meeting with President Uribe.  Colombia produces the bulk of the cocaine that comes to the UK; it has the second highest number of internally-displaced people of any country in the world (after Sudan); and one of the highest number of Trade Unionists murdered. Its human rights record is a source of real concern.

Chris was able to push all these issues with the Colombian government.  At the end, he agreed a joint statement with the Colombian Foreign Minister covering human rights.  It quoted President Uribe as saying that "defence of human rights is a necessary and legitimate act of a democracy, and a country like Colombia is proud to be completely open to international scrutiny in this regard.”

This statement is an important benchmark. But there is also a critical need for these values to be pursued and upheld by all parts of Colombian society, and most importantly by government.

Posted at 16:39 14 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Obama's Cairo speech

There has been a lot of comment on President Obama's outstanding Cairo speech.  But one of the most interesting aspects was the contrast between what he had to say and the speeches this week of Iran's Supreme Leader and President. Obama talked about looking to the future rather than living in the past, and making sure that the West and Islam recognise their shared common principles. 

By contrast, Khamenei used his speech to refer to Israel as a 'cancerous tumour', and Ahmadinejad called the Holocaust a 'deception'.  

The US, not just a superpower but a vibrant and diverse democracy, is now led by one of the most eloquent and thoughtful leaders this young century has produced. The US people can be proud, and optimistic.  Iran, which ought to be playing a full role in the community of nations, has leaders who keep it in isolation by endlessly wallowing in hatred. Its people deserve better.

Posted at 15:33 05 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[8]

Forging coalitions with the Muslim world

President Obama said a few weeks ago: "America is not and never will be at war with Islam".  Next month he will address this theme again in a landmark speech in Cairo.  The fact that he feels the need to say this, and the positive reception he has got for doing so, reveals the depth of division and distrust towards the West that has emerged since 9/11. 
 
Britain has historical baggage in the Muslim world.  We have to overcome it.  In the majority of our British Muslim citizens, we have an enormous resource, combining  the values that bind Britain together as a liberal democracy, with their particular religious identity.  And in that merging of identities are valuable lessons as we forge coalitions in the Muslim world.  
 
I will be giving a speech later today which will explore this theme.  It will set out why I think we need to understand the Muslim world better, and work with Muslim majority countries in new ways.  There are no easy cases.  But to avoid grappling with these issues is irresponsible. 

It is not good enough to categorise people as ’moderates’ or 'extremists' (a trap I have sometimes fallen into).  But there is a divide between those committed to politics and those who rely on violence.  If we respect those committed to politics, support the application of our own democratic values and help tackle the big grievances, including over Palestine, we can forge a new coalition and win consent. 

Resources: 

Posted at 11:50 21 May 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[12]

Democratic Indonesia

It is ten years since the downfall of President Suharto of Indonesia - who ruled for 32 years without concern for democratic mandate - and the inauguration of democratic rule. Judging by the parliamentary elections at the weekend the institutions of democracy are in good health.  As the world's fourth most populous country - 240 million people living on 17,000 islands - and the world's largest Muslim nation, the experience of the last decade is a good rebuff to the argument that democratic institutions are incompatible with Muslim or Asian values.
 
I spoke with President Yudhoyono when he interrupted campaigning to come to the London Summit, and his vision of Indonesia leading a low carbon revolution as well as democratic evolution is attractive.  It makes Indonesia a prime UK partner, and our rising trade and strong political partnership reflect that

Posted at 14:37 14 April 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[6]

Bangladesh - One way we can help

The mutiny in Dhaka at the end of last month, with the death of over 70 Bangladesh Army officers and civilians was a terrible personal loss for the families and friends of those killed. It was also a serious blow for Bangladesh.

It's only two months since Bangladesh's successful return to democracy. That mustn't be jeopardised. The country needs to maintain a mood of national unity and rally behind the leadership of Sheikh Hasina's Government.  

As a friend of Bangladesh we want to do what we can to help. I'm glad we have been able to send a small police team to offer advice on the follow up investigation. Our police are not there to solve the crime - that role sits rightly with the Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies - but they can share experience  and advice.

Posted at 10:42 12 March 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

President Obama

You cannot help but be moved by the scenes and the words.  I just heard a young (black) student say that he felt more fully an American today.  I watched the inauguration in my outer office with my next meeting sitting/standing.  Whose idea was it to call a Parliamentary vote to coincide with the beginning of his speech?  Parliamentary democracy waits for no one...

I think I wrote on November 5th that I was a junior high school student in Boston in 1977/78 when students were bussed across the city to the suburbs to achieve some racial integration in schooling.  No way would you have believed then that America would elect a black President before a woman president.  On the World at One the co author of Martin Luther King's I have a dream speech of 1963 - actually I think I am right in saying that the written version of the speech did not have the 'dream' sequence, but Dr King was encouraged to use the riff by his aides shouting from the side of the stage - said that despite the huge struggle that lies ahead to complete Dr King's dream of the eradication of poverty in America, January 20 2008 was a cathartic moment.  Things won't/can't be the same because America will have smashed what many people presumed would be the the hardest part of the colour bar to break.

Posted at 17:40 21 January 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Good News: Elections in Bangladesh

On 29th December, Bangladesh contested a peaceful general election. 87% of eligible voters turned out. Observers called the election free and fair, and all involved should be proud of the way it was conducted.
 
This is an impressive achievement. The picture had not always been so rosy. Planned polls in January 2007 were stopped by violence and public disorder. A state of emergency was declared and a caretaker government established.
 
But much remains to be done. The new government led by Sheikh Hasina will need to build on reforms to deliver what we all want to see - a strong and confident democracy in the world's eighth most populous nation. I echo Lord Malloch Brown's thoughts on this , as written for the Daily Star in Bangladesh in the run-up to the elections.
 
The UK is trying to help Bangladesh move forward and tackle its many challenges, particularly climate change, poverty, and terrorism. Our second largest bilateral development programme, through DFID, is with Bangladesh, and we have historic ties - some 500,000 British citizens are of Bangladeshi descent.
 
We will continue to work closely with our Bangladeshi friends. But we should also pause to acknowledge this historic moment, and the opportunity it offers Bangladesh.

Posted at 12:36 07 January 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]

UNGA Re-Cap 4: Burma is not forgotten

It is now a year since the marches on the streets of Rangoon against military rule in Burma. It is also the 20th anniversary of the National League for Democracy. Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest, along with some 2000 political prisoners, despite the release of a small number of them (one was subsequently and quickly rearrested). The demands remain basic: a constitutional settlement involving all the ethnic groups and the opposition.

Posted at 14:18 01 October 2008 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Heading for America

I will be in the US Sunday through Friday: the UN in New York with a focus on Burma and Afghanistan; Washington to deliver a speech on 'Dilemmas of Democracy' and hold talks with Secretary Rice; and then California at the invitation of Condi Rice for discussions on climate change with venture capitalists and on the re-emergence of China as a world power.

I want to say to my American and international counterparts that the UK has been a winner from globalisation; that along with other European countries we see the downsides of unsustainability and inequality; that the answer is not a retreat from international engagement; and that Britain wants to be part of a strengthened transatlantic partnership dedicated to building international rules and institutions that minimise the risks and maximise the gains of globalisation. There are some clear test cases: Afghanistan/Pakistan, trade, climate change, terrorism, Millennium Development Goals. In each case we need American engagement.

I think of the US as the least cynical nation on earth, with the greatest capacity to be mobilised for great causes. This week I will take its temperature.

Posted at 18:46 18 May 2008 by David Miliband  |  Comments[5]