This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7829946.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Miliband regrets 'war on terror' Miliband regrets 'war on terror'
(about 1 hour later)
The idea of a "war on terror" is a "mistake", putting too much emphasis on military force, Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said.The idea of a "war on terror" is a "mistake", putting too much emphasis on military force, Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said.
Writing in the Guardian, Mr Miliband said the idea had unified disparate "terrorist groups" against the West.Writing in the Guardian, Mr Miliband said the idea had unified disparate "terrorist groups" against the West.
He said the right response to the threat was to champion law and human rights - not subordinate it.He said the right response to the threat was to champion law and human rights - not subordinate it.
Mr Miliband repeated the views in a speech in Mumbai, India, the scene of attacks by gunmen last year.Mr Miliband repeated the views in a speech in Mumbai, India, the scene of attacks by gunmen last year.
Mr Miliband's warning comes five days before the end of US President George Bush's administration, which has led the so-called "war on terror".Mr Miliband's warning comes five days before the end of US President George Bush's administration, which has led the so-called "war on terror".
The foreign secretary wrote that since 9/11 the phrase "war on terror" had "defined the terrain" when it came to tackling terrorism and that although it had merit, "ultimately, the notion is misleading and mistaken".The foreign secretary wrote that since 9/11 the phrase "war on terror" had "defined the terrain" when it came to tackling terrorism and that although it had merit, "ultimately, the notion is misleading and mistaken".
The phrase was first used by President Bush in an address to a joint session of Congress on 20 September 2001, in the aftermath of the attacks on New York and Washington.The phrase was first used by President Bush in an address to a joint session of Congress on 20 September 2001, in the aftermath of the attacks on New York and Washington.
Mr Miliband wrote that the phrase was all-encompassing and "gave the impression of a unified, transnational enemy, embodied in the figure of Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda" when the situation was far more complex.Mr Miliband wrote that the phrase was all-encompassing and "gave the impression of a unified, transnational enemy, embodied in the figure of Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda" when the situation was far more complex.
Calling for groups to be treated as separate entities with differing motivations, he wrote that it was not a "simple binary struggle between moderates and extremists, or good and evil" and treating them as such was a mistake. Terrorism is a deadly tactic, not an institution or an ideology David MilibandForeign Secretary Declining use of 'war on terror'Calling for groups to be treated as separate entities with differing motivations, he wrote that it was not a "simple binary struggle between moderates and extremists, or good and evil" and treating them as such was a mistake. Terrorism is a deadly tactic, not an institution or an ideology David MilibandForeign Secretary Declining use of 'war on terror'
"Historians will judge whether [the notion] has done more harm than good", he said."Historians will judge whether [the notion] has done more harm than good", he said.
The phrase, informally dropped from use by the UK government several years ago, "implied a belief that the correct response to the terrorist threat was primarily a military one - to track down and kill a hardcore of extremists", he wrote.The phrase, informally dropped from use by the UK government several years ago, "implied a belief that the correct response to the terrorist threat was primarily a military one - to track down and kill a hardcore of extremists", he wrote.
But the stance he now promoted was international "co-operation".But the stance he now promoted was international "co-operation".
Highlighting US President-elect Barack Obama's commitment to close the Guantanamo Bay detention centre, Mr Miliband said it was time to ensure human rights and civil liberties were upheld.Highlighting US President-elect Barack Obama's commitment to close the Guantanamo Bay detention centre, Mr Miliband said it was time to ensure human rights and civil liberties were upheld.
He suggested that the different organisations took advantage of the belief that they had one common enemy and a key way to tackle them was to stop this.He suggested that the different organisations took advantage of the belief that they had one common enemy and a key way to tackle them was to stop this.
"Terrorism is a deadly tactic, not an institution or an ideology.""Terrorism is a deadly tactic, not an institution or an ideology."
Edward Davey, foreign affairs spokesman for the Lib Dems, said: "If the British foreign secretary had said this to President Bush many months, if not years ago, then it would have deserved some credit.Edward Davey, foreign affairs spokesman for the Lib Dems, said: "If the British foreign secretary had said this to President Bush many months, if not years ago, then it would have deserved some credit.
"Mimicking President-elect Obama's lines days before his inauguration does not show leadership.""Mimicking President-elect Obama's lines days before his inauguration does not show leadership."
The Scottish National Party leader at Westminster, Angus Robertson, accused Mr Miliband of hypocrisy: "This declaration by David Miliband and the Labour Party is rank hypocrisy. His government acted as a poodle to the Bush doctrine in Iraq and elsewhere.The Scottish National Party leader at Westminster, Angus Robertson, accused Mr Miliband of hypocrisy: "This declaration by David Miliband and the Labour Party is rank hypocrisy. His government acted as a poodle to the Bush doctrine in Iraq and elsewhere.
"People will not be misled by this wishful re-writing of history.""People will not be misled by this wishful re-writing of history."
Mr Miliband repeated his views on the "war on terror" in a speech at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, in Mumbai, India. The hotel was among several sites attacked by gunmen in the city last November.Mr Miliband repeated his views on the "war on terror" in a speech at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, in Mumbai, India. The hotel was among several sites attacked by gunmen in the city last November.
He is in the country in an attempt to defuse tensions between India and Pakistan over the attacks which killed at least 173 people.He is in the country in an attempt to defuse tensions between India and Pakistan over the attacks which killed at least 173 people.
Mr Miliband urged Pakistan's government to take "urgent and effective action to break up terror networks on its soil" and called for a resolution over the disputed region of Kashmir.Mr Miliband urged Pakistan's government to take "urgent and effective action to break up terror networks on its soil" and called for a resolution over the disputed region of Kashmir.
His views on the issue have irritated the Indian foreign ministry which in a tersely worded statement said that the foreign secretary "is entitled to his views, which are clearly his own and are evolving".
"India is a free country and even if we do not share his view, he is free to express them," a foreign ministry spokesman said. "However, we do not need unsolicited advice on internal issues in India like Jammu and Kashmir."