THE AMBASSADOR

I am delighted to have been chosen to serve as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Both because Jordan is a country linked to Britain by deep and lasting bonds of friendship, and because the Embassy I am lucky enough to lead is one of the best and most effective in the world.

My own background helps explain why I am so happy to hold this Post.  From the start of my diplomatic career in 1977 I was fascinated by the challenges of working in the Middle East. I studied Arabic in Lebanon and then London in 1978 to 1980, and served in the Embassy in Abu Dhabi from 1980 to 1983. I later dealt with Middle East issues in the United Nations Security Council in New York from 1985 to 1989, and then in London with the First Gulf War in 1990 to1991. My time as Deputy Head of Mission in Amman in 1992 to 1996 introduced me to life in Jordan, and to many friends. I returned to the Arab world in 2003 as Ambassador to Lebanon, and came back to Amman as Ambassador in October 2006.  I hope to serve here for four years. My wife Amal is Lebanese (we married in 2004) and we have homes and children in both London and Beirut.

In all my different posts I have been motivated by working with talented and committed colleagues. People are fundamental to my view of the world. The political issues I deal with I can understand best through the hopes and lives of ordinary people. The history of conflict and lost opportunities for peace in the Middle East casts a shadow over all we do, but it also adds urgency and seriousness to what we at the Embassy try to achieve. Like Britain itself, I am strongly committed to a future of peace, justice and respect for the rights of individuals for all the people of the region.

In the Embassy I lead I attach the greatest importance to the happy and harmonious working environment which it has long enjoyed. I aim to set the highest standards of helpfulness and respect for others, as well as a professional and serious approach to our work. Every member of the staff has an important and valued contribution to make to this.


James Watt