Posted 06 April 2010 by David Miliband  | 

The British General Election is being called today. While it is going on I cannot post blogs for the Foreign Office website.  So for now, thank you for all your comments.  I hope we'll continue the conversation soon!

David Miliband

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Posted 09 March 2010 by David Miliband  |  1 comments

Sunday’s Iraqi national election was a moving example of a people’s willingness to exercise their democratic rights despite the threat of violence.  The vote followed a vibrant election campaign, during which there was real debate about the issues that matter to the Iraqi electorate, including security, Iraq's economic future and government accountability - Jon Wilks, Deputy Head of the British Embassy in Baghdad, has blogged about the election campaign.  

I extend my sympathies to the families of Sunday’s casualties. However, the terrorists failed to stop the Iraqi people from voting in their millions and from taking the future of their country into their own hands.  Once the election results are confirmed, I hope that Iraq's political leaders will come together and form an accountable, inclusive and effective government.  Iraq's people deserve it.  The UK stands ready to continue its partnership with Iraq and work with its new government towards a better future for all Iraqis.

David Miliband

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Posted 09 November 2009 by David Miliband  |  2 comments

It is very good news that the Iraqi Council of Representatives has agreed the basis for next January's national election.  

The fact that Iraq's political leaders overcame a number of hurdles in reaching an agreement is a real sign of Iraq's democratic progress.   

Iraq  held peaceful provincial and regional elections  this year  and  January's national election  will be further evidence that the Iraqi people have chosen dialogue and democracy over those who offered nothing but violence.

David Miliband

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Posted 08 September 2008 by David Miliband  |  10 comments

The accession of President Zardari to the leadership of Pakistan is a key moment for Pakistan. His election with a 68% majority completes the transition to full democratic civilian rule for the first time in 9 years. It is vital that the Pakistan government does not suffer the fate of previous Pakistan governments.

I spoke to President Zardari yesterday and the Prime Minister is speaking to him today to emphasise Britain's commitment to work with the people in Pakistan at all levels, above all on the twin issues of the economy and security. My two visits to Pakistan revealed a country of teeming energy but also unfulfilled aspirations. The striking thing is that political, economic and security aspirations go together. Polling in the FATA shows that politics as well as security are top of the agenda.

Civilian rule needs to show itself up to the task of short term improvement as well as long term legitimacy. Britain can and will help through official channels and development aid and security support, but also through the unofficial channels of people-to-people links from our own British Pakistani community.

David Miliband

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Posted 26 June 2008 by David Miliband  |  3 comments

Yesterday's UN Security Council statement represents a significant step forward in the way the world has engaged with the issue of Zimbabwe. The language is unequivocal - condemnation of the regime. It won unanimous support - including South Africa as well as China. The desire for regional leadership - from the AU and SADC - clearly expressed.

Yesterday's exchanges in the House of Commons I hope clarified the difference between recognition of a state - which is necessary for diplomatic representation - and recognition of the legitimacy of a government, which is different. We of course "recognise" Zimbabwe as a country; we do not recognise the legitimacy of Mugabe's rule, not least since even he accepts that he lost the Parliamentary and Presidential election on 29 March (even if the Opposition challenger did not get 50% of the vote in the first round).

I hope they also exposed the hollow claim that we have to choose between self defeating megaphone diplomacy and silence. In every part of the world history matters. Britain's history of global engagement includes good and bad. But while we are conscious of our history, and conscious of the way it can be misused and caricatured, that history is a reason for good judgment about what to say - not a reason to say nothing.

David Miliband

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Posted 16 June 2008 by David Miliband  |  9 comments

Over 100 election monitors are now in Zimbabwe. Not enough but a start. Not enough because the scale of violence and intimidation is massive – over 50 dead, 1000s injured and brutalised.  A start because it means there is a chance of a proper record – journalists and NGOs having been driven out.  There is a massive responsibility on Africa to support the brave people of the opposition, and a major responsibility on the rest of us to support them. We will do so, bilaterally, in Europe and at the UN.

 

David Miliband

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Posted 14 May 2008 by David Miliband  | 

Congratulations to Boris Tadic's “Coalition for a European Serbia” party list which has won an outstanding victory in the Serbian general election. They made Europe the issue and won. Now as a coalition is formed the democratic will of the Serbian people needs to be respected.

David Miliband

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