Jon Davies

CAIRO - A GREAT PLACE TO TALK ABOUT DIFFICULT ISSUES

Cairo is coming to the end of another busy working week. The different rhythm of Ramadan and the respite of the Eid holiday are an increasingly faint memory as the pace really gets going again here.

Cairo and Egypt more generally continue to show the ability to get people together to talk - something which the Egyptians themselves love to do (as do we Welsh....). The Embassy played host this week to one such example. We were delighted to have a team here from Chatham House for two days of discussion and debate about Egypt, and also to launch the first special edition of International Affairs to focus on North Africa.  It was also an opportunity for us to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Foreign Office's Chevening Scholarships, and to involve some of the thousand or so Egyptians who have been part of the Chevening project .

Meanwhile the non-governmental International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament was meeting here, under the Chairmanship of former Foreign Ministers of Australia and Japan. From the initial informal readouts I heard last night, the forum had managed to bring together representatives from nations who sometimes find it difficult to talk in more formal surroundings. That shows, among other things, the positive power of civil society and NGOs.

They too have been a vital and positive element of the continuing progress towards an Arms Trade Treaty.  Having spent much of the week talking about conflict of one kind or another, but also the enormous opportunities in this and other regions if conflicts were resolved earlier or prevented, the logic for the Treaty seems ever clearer.

Finally, there's been quite a lot of reporting recently here about the violent behaviour of the so-called English Defence League. That behaviour has been condemned by our Government and many others. People in Britain want to work together to marginalise such extremist minorities, who do not represent the views of the majority who work hard to promote community cohesion and shared values. And what has been encouraging is to see the leadership demonstrated in urging young people not to respond with violence. People have the right to express their view in public. But this is a right that must be used responsibly, and it is unacceptable for protest to cross over into violence or intimidation.

Posted at 19:32 06 October 2009 by Jon Davies  |  Comments[1]

Towards an Arms Trade Treaty

This time last week, virtually the whole city was focused on the speech by President Obama. I won't add to the praise already heaped on it. One of our focuses this week has been looking at how we (locally, but the UK more generally) can help deliver on an ambitious agenda which has a depth and breadth of support unprecedented in my time working in and on this region. From the challenge of violent extremism to the need for better education, the UK is already working closely with the Government and others here.

There are obviously areas where we don't wholly agree - yet - with partners like Egypt or the US. One where there is still a lot to discuss, and one of the FCO's priorities, is the proposal for an Arms Trade Treaty  Unregulated weapons prolong and worsen numerous conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, leading to appalling human suffering . The UK is committed to working not just with governments but with commercial enterprises, international organisations and the defence industry itself to come up with a legally binding agreement to help assess arms exports. But getting the right balance between transparent regulation and the legitimate defence and commercial needs of countries will be tough, hence our efforts to reach out and consult.  Let me know what your thoughts are.

If last week ended with the city fixated on Obama, this week it is concern about swine flu which dominates the chat. We are trying to ensure that British nationals here, and our own staff (Egyptian and British), get the right advice and support . Egypt is no stranger to the threat from "new" flus, with its own experience in fighting Avian Flu - good news at least in the sense it means the authorities are well aware of the challenge. Keep well.

Posted at 09:43 17 June 2009 by Jon Davies  |  Comments[0]