David Miliband

Goldstone

The Gaza conflict at the start of the year shocked and polarised opinion.  This week in New York we considered the Goldstone report.  Some say it is flawed and to be dismissed out of hand.  Some that the issues it raises are so serious we must endorse it.  I agree with both analyses, but disagree with both conclusions.  

The report is flawed but the issues grave.  Hamas rockets fired indiscriminately at Israeli citizens seriously violate international law.  Hamas should reject such actions and release Gilad Shalit.  But Israel should also see that their investigations so far have failed to convince not just dyed in the wool opponents, but those genuinely committed to Israel's security, that it has addressed some serious allegations.  We worked hard before the vote at the UN in New York yesterday to reach a consensus on calling for independent investigations.  In the end we had to abstain, with France and forty two others,  because voting for would have meant endorsing the report and ignoring its flaws.  But the issues are serious and the parties should address them.  

Posted at 16:53 06 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[5]

Visiting Moscow

I will be visiting Moscow on Sunday and Monday at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.   This is the first full bilateral visit to Russia by a British Foreign Secretary for five years and forms part of a continuing political dialogue with Moscow - shortly after my visit Peter Mandelson will be hosting Deputy Prime Minister Kudrin in London for the bilateral Steering Committee on Trade and Investment.

We don't always see eye to eye with Russia, but we share the same global challenges and it is important that we work on them together.  And as we are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and members of the G8 and G20, there is a wide range of questions where, by working together, we really can make a difference.  

The wealth of people-to-people contacts and the dynamic business links which have grown between Britain and Russia over the last twenty years make political engagement all the more important. While I am in Moscow  I will be meeting representatives of  Russian civil society  -  I look forward to hearing what they have to  tell  me about the issues which matter to them. 

Posted at 16:13 30 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[7]

Arms Trade Treaty

This week I am in New York at the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The UN provides the forum for all states to work together to find mutually beneficial solutions to the increasing number of challenges to our interdependent world. Key among them is how to ensure global security and stability, which is why we attach so much importance to the annual October UN meeting on arms control. One of our key priorities this October will be to ensure progress towards an Arms Trade Treaty.

In my video message this week to the Oxfam seminar on women in conflict I set out why this is so important.  National and regional arms export controls should be as strong as possible. But only a global Arms Trade Treaty can plug the gaps between them.  It is through these gaps that arms can reach terrorists and fuel conflict, threatening lives worldwide.

States, civil society and the defence industry overwhelmingly agree that there is a need for an Arms Trade Treaty. And all states agreed in the UN in July that the unregulated trade in arms is causing global problems. It is time to turn these words into action.  

This October we will therefore call for a clear timetable and negotiating framework to secure a strong Arms Trade Treaty as soon as possible.  We want preparatory meetings in 2010 and 2011 for a Diplomatic Conference on an Arms Trade Treaty in 2012.

In October there will be a choice either to continue talking generally about an Arms Trade Treaty or to set a timetable for action towards a treaty that would help protect lives and livelihoods all around the globe.  I know which way I will be voting.

Posted at 14:37 24 September 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[12]

Nuclear Issues

Today the Prime Minister and I met nuclear academics and experts to discuss the way forward on nuclear issues.

This is one of the most critical issues we face. Get it right, and we will increase global security, pave the way for a world without nuclear weapons and improve access to affordable, safe and dependable energy – vital to tackle climate change. Get it wrong, and we face the threat of proliferation or the chilling prospect of nuclear material falling into the hands of terrorists.

This issue has been around a long time. But there is an unprecedented opportunity to make progress. On 24 September President Obama will chair a UN Security Council Summit on the issue, a milestone on the road to next May’s critical Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

The UK is leading international efforts to make sure we get it right. In July, the Prime Minister set out our approach. Earlier this month the UK hosted an historic conference of the P5 to discuss confidence building measures towards disarmament. It was clear at today’s meeting that experts share our goals. By reinvigorating international commitment and working together, we can strengthen our shared security.

Posted at 14:48 16 September 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[10]

Pelindaba Treaty: Africa joins nuclear free club

Burundi's ratification in July of the Pelindaba Treaty making Africa a nuclear weapon-free zone means the Treaty now comes into force.  The Treaty ensures nuclear weapons are not developed, acquired or stationed in Africa and that nuclear science and technology activities take place under strict non-proliferation measures.  South Africa did develop a nuclear weapons capacity during the apartheid era but signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1991. 

The next month in the run up to and at the UN General Assembly will be a busy month on nuclear non-proliferation and this is a welcome reminder that all countries around the world have an interest in taking seriously all responsibilities under the nuclear proliferation treaty, including nuclear disarmament and safe production of nuclear power.

Posted at 12:33 31 August 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[4]

Next Steps on Middle East

The interview by King Abdullah of Jordan in the Times on Monday  puts in stark terms the stakes over the next few months as leaders from the Middle East come to Washington. I set out the UK position at the UN security council on Monday.

Only the two sides can make the compromises necessary for peace. But the international community can support them, and set out steps to ensure any deal is implemented. These "deposits" that I discuss in the speech at the UN make clear how we can make a practical difference.

Historical note: Yitzhak Rabin made a deposit with US Secretary of State Warren Christopher in the early 1990s in respect of the Golan Heights. The idea is simple. You put substance behind the desire for peace. 

Posted at 12:44 13 May 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[4]

Sri Lanka - Access for aid

I repeated at this morning's press conference the need for the fighting to stop. But now en route from the IDP camp to the president I'm thinking too about the basic deal for those who have escaped the conflict zone: the Sri Lankan government want aid but for that they need to offer access to the UN and NGOs.

The need is evident: three and soon to be four camps for 115,000 people (at least) is an overwhelming flood and the only way to meet that is with help, and for help there needs to be transparency and openness (for the media too).

Posted at 16:48 29 April 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[125]

Going to Sri Lanka

Thank you to those who commented on my last blog on Sri Lanka, from Britain and around the world.  As the comments show, the roots of the current crisis are very deep: Tamils who feel this is the last chapter in decades of repression, others who feel that LTTE terrorism is an open and shut case for government crackdown.  I recognise that - but there is also a simple fact: innocent lives are at stake now.

I am going to be in Sri Lanka on Wednesday with the French foreign minister. We can think of no better way to highlight our concerns with the short term civilian situation, which UN chief John Holmes described yesterday as dire. We will be pressing the case on the government of Sri Lanka to live up to the case made by the UNSC President on Friday to the press and repeating that the LTTE should facilitate exit from the conflict zone. There are the civilians in the conflict zone; but as the comments bring out, there are also the conditions outside the zone for anything up to 200,000 IDPs. 

Britain has pledged more money the Prime Minister announced an extra £2.5 million on Sunday  and France a field hospital, but without political will to allow aid workers to do their work there will be further suffering that will compound rather than resolve the fundamental conflict.

Posted at 23:40 28 April 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[84]

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]

Rape as a Weapon of War

Sunday was International Women's Day. The extent of sexual violence in DRC makes this real .

The UK is contributing funding - £42 million to the UN Humanitarian Pooled Fund, which has helped treat around 40,000 victims of sexual violence in DRC over the last two years

Posted at 13:04 10 March 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

UN Mission in Georgia

Georgia may have slipped from the headlines, but it remains important. Russian forces remain encamped in Georgian territory, including outside the conflict zone of last August. Ominous signs that they are digging in include recent announcements that they plan to build a naval base on the Georgian coast and two further bases in land.

It is crucial that we retain an international presence in Georgia, to monitor developments and get to the bottom of allegations and incidents before they trigger further violence.  So I was pleased that on 13 February the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1866 which ensures that the UN Mission in Georgia, which operates mainly in the separatist region of Abkhazia, will continue to do so for at least another four months.

The Mission gives the international community vital coverage of events on the ground and helps build confidence among the parties. Confirming that it can continue to operate for now is a considerable achievement and British diplomats played a crucial role in ensuring agreement was reached. We will need, however, to come back to the negotiating table in June.

Geneva Talks

The last round of Geneva Talks took place on 17 and 18 February. Such talks are never going to be easy. Given how recently some of the parties were at war it is testament to the skilled diplomacy of the EU, UN and OSCE Representatives that all the parties are sitting and talking at the same table at all.

This week the parties agreed joint mechanisms for preventing and responding to incidents.  Many of the issues still to be addressed are of fearsome difficulty and complexity. But the mechanisms represent a meaningful advance and show there is scope to find common ground.

Posted at 12:06 24 February 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

DRC

The news of the arrest of General Laurent Nkunda in Rwanda is significant. My views are here.

The signs of political commitment to cooperation from the DRC and Rwanda are welcome. The humanitarian situation remains acute and the need to fulfil the UN's commitment to increase MONUC vitally needs international support.

Posted at 17:26 27 January 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[0]

Three days in New York

If you count the UN as New York that is. A bit like the EU, the UN is better at a distance than in the machine.  The words are noble, but the distance from reality can be profound.  But not last week - or at least not as the discussions were punctuated by the Palestinian Authority representative bringing new levels of the death toll in Gaza. The anger and passion is presented in diplomatic language but this time it was real, on all sides.
 
I arrived arguing for a focus on substance not process - read my opening speech to the Security Council here.  The key seemed to be in real attention to Israeli security needs and Palestinian humanitarian needs.   And I was convinced that a vetoed resolution or a divided council offered nothing.  That is why we spent 36 hours seeking consensus. I left sponsoring a Security Council Resolution, with fourteen votes in favour and a US abstention; more than most people expected at the beginning of the week, but less than seemed likely a couple of hours before the vote. And within 12 hours the resolution's call for a ceasefire had been rejected by Hamas and then by Israel.  So what's it all for?

The UN for all its flaws is a global conscience as well as a global policeman.  Parading your conscience is not pretty; but not having one is worse.  Countries far away from the scene of a conflict sit in discussion if not in judgment.  But the UN sets standards for itself and for its members - and needs to live up to the injunctions of its Charter.   So in patrolling regional and international peace and security any conflict in the Middle East belongs in the Security Council.
 
The Secretary General of the UN is now in the Middle East.  He goes armed with the authority of a resolution, and will return to report back on next steps.  It is actually in every state's interest that the UN is strong not weak.  You never know when you might need it.

Posted at 19:12 12 January 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[9]

Zimbabwe: Rhetoric and Reality

The UN Security Council re-started its engagement with Zimbabwe on Monday - not a moment too soon.  The cholera (and now anthrax) that threatens neighbouring countries is proof if any were needed after 4 million refugees that the Zimbabwe crisis is a crisis for the whole of southern Africa. The Security Council is not yet close to taking action - divisions are still too deep.  But the rhetoric of Mugabe that cholera is 'over' is gut-wrenching when you read the reports of what is actually happening in the country.  For a flavour of reality see the two FCO bloggers , Grace Mutandwa and Philip Barclay

Posted at 16:18 19 December 2008 by David Miliband  |  Comments[10]

Good news from Kosovo

Thanks to last week's jigsaw of five related resolutions, agreements and letters at the UN and in Brussels trigger important steps on Kosovo. The EU rule of law mission will now be deployed across the whole of the country, serving all citizens of the country, including the protection of minority rights that was at the heart of the Ahtissari Plan. This is now a vital stage in the confidence-building process amongst all communities that there is a secure future for them in Kosovo. The unanimous UN resolution is also an important signal that practicality is taking precedence over theology in the transition from the UN Mission to the EU. Long may it continue.

Posted at 09:58 03 December 2008 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]