Talk to Britain's Foreign Secretary
We're off air now, but you can follow the debate below.
Good morning everyone! Not a bad day to be talking to Britain's foreign secretary. Gordon Brown has just announced a tough new stand against Zimbabwe's president; Condoleeza Rice is meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders a day after Israel declared Gaza a 'hostile entity'; monks in Burma continue their protests against military leaders; and Pakistan has announced new presidential elections.
, Britain's foreign secretary and avid , has agreed to spend the hour taking your questions today, from 1800 to 1900 BST.
I'm Anu Anand and I'll be presenting tonight's show.
David Miliband is particularly passionate about and . But it's your turn to question him on Britain's policies around the world-- the so-called 'war on terror', trade, the Middle East, poverty, debt, global warming.
We've already had more than 400 messages to the 91Èȱ¬'s Persian service! Many people there are worried about the prospect of war against Iran. Post below if you want to participate too.
I'll be at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Whitehall with colleagues from the 91Èȱ¬'s Persian, Urdu, Pashto/Dari, Network Africa and language services to help put your questions to Mr. Miliband.
Arazgol from Karaj, Iran writes:
Mr. Miliband, An old unanswered question: why British foreign policy in the middle east is following a double standard pattern? Why for example Israel is developing nuclear program, and keeps attacking and occupying its neighbor's land but the UK is not taking any serious action in this regard? Just letting you know that I am against Iranian dictator regime but it is a different story and I do not want Americans or British to mess up the area for their selfish reasons without really worrying about people or democracy...
Lubna in Baghdad has responded to the Daily Email:
"I have a question for Mr.Miliband, does he support a quick British withdrawal from Southern Iraq?! I'm curious to know his stands on that issue! As for me I do believe strongly that the US and the UK forces must stay in my country until they clean up the mess they took part in creating! But I do wanna know what Mr.Miliban thinks about this?!"
"BRAINS"
At 42, David Miliband is Britain's second youngest foreign secretary (David Owen, who served from 1977 to 1979 was 39). He's the son of Polish Jewish immigrants who fled the Holocaust. His younger brother, Ed, an economist, is also a member of Parliament. He was nicknamed 'Brains' for his role in helping shape the Labour party manifesto ahead of the 1997 landslide victory.
You can read David Miliband's main priorities at the Foreign Office website . The top three are:
1. making the world safer from global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction; 2. reducing the harm to the UK from international crime, including drug trafficking, people smuggling and money laundering; 3. preventing and resolving conflict through a strong international system.
As I write this, there are 202 comments below and counting..... Keep them coming! I'm sure David Miliband is looking forward to tonight's programme. I know I am! Speak to you soon. Anu
Comments Post your comment