Tell David Miliband what should be UK Foreign Policy priorities
15 August 2007
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are running a public consultation on UK Foreign Policy. This follows a Chatham House speech that David Miliband made.
It is open till mid-September, and discussions with FCO contacts would suggest that the responses would be taken fairly seriously.
This is a great opportunity for us to make our mark on this consultation. Do please add your comments. Some areas to think about when posting are below.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1183544769804
To reaffirm that the international Arms Trade Treaty is really important, to be positive about UK leadership on this so far, and to request that they keep this as a priority so that a treaty becomes a reality by 2010.
To ensure a comprehensive a ban on Cluster bombs, indiscriminate weapons that cause civilian casualties and render land unusable
To push the government on the need to establish the UK's commitment to combating Climate Change. The UK must contribute its fair share to help developing countries adapt to the effects of climate change (and this money should be in addition to existing aid commitments.)
Championing the basic rights of health care and education for everyone by increasing foreign aid to 0.7% of national income by 2010, and spending more of it on health care and education.
Comments
I discussed the following proposal with Barbara Stocking at the SW Forum. She was interested and asked me to take it forward.
Code of Conduct Prior to Declaration of War
The process that led to war in Iraq is widely perceived as flawed. As MPs themselves will take the final decision in future regarding the declaration of war, Oxfam should campaign that certain conditions be met. Such conditions and commitments, made prior to a declaration of war, might include some of the following:
1. A prohibition on the use of tactical nuclear weapons and cluster bombs.
2. Clear criteria for troop withdrawal after conflict has ended.
3. Prior warning of targets to be bombed to enable the public to avoid these places.
4. A commitment not to bomb residential areas or hospitals.
5. The prior planning and preparation of food and medical aid.
6. Contingency plans for any refugee emergency.
7. A commitment to restore sewage, water and energy supplies to pre-war levels.
8. A commitment to rebuild property damaged in error.
9. Responsibility for long-term medical support for seriously injured civilians.
I believe that a campaign to support such a code of conduct for Parliament would prove popular among Oxfam activists and supporters. I urge you to raise this matter with David Milliband during your consultation. I hope that I may receive a reply to these suggestions. I would be happy to table these proposals to a discussion group or forum. This is the fiftiest year of my support for Oxfam.
Yours sincerely
Roger Farnworth
Roger Farnworth | September 3, 2007 2:35 PM
The UK government needs to ensure that the Arms Trade Treaty is kept a priority to ensure that it becomes a reality by its target of 2010. Along with this there needs to be a greater push to ban cluster bombs that not only destroy land but cause disgraceful civilian casualties.
Also, in this day and age, to be upgrading Trident is an embarrassment - a weapon that can cause 8 times the impact of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, still affecting a population years on. Trident should be decommissioned in line with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the money saved should be spent on leading the way for international peace and disarmament talks. Where there's a will there certainly is a way.
Sarah Becker | August 24, 2007 11:52 AM
Solve world poverty.
claire | August 21, 2007 2:13 PM