New British ambassador Iain Kelly has arrived recently in Uzbekistan. In an interview with UzRepot.com correspondent he told about himself, previous activity, family and hobbies, shared impressions from staying in Uzbekistan, perspectives of development of bilateral Anglo-Uzbek relations, secrets of the Great Britain’s economic development successes.

- Mr Kelly, tell us please about your diplomatic mission in Uzbekistan. Have you been here before? What are your impressions from acquaintance with our country and people?

- I arrived in Uzbekistan on 5 May and had the honour to present my credentials to President Karimov in June, actually on the morning of the day we celebrated the Queen’s Birthday Party. The sensitivity of that gesture was much appreciated.

Before May, I had visited Tashkent only once, for twenty-four hours, in the early 1990’s when I accompanied my then Ambassador who was at that time accredited to Uzbekistan from Moscow. Soon after we realised the need to have a full diplomatic presence in Tashkent and appointed Paul Bergne as our first Ambassador. Paul – who, I am sad to say, died a couple of months ago – was a remarkable man whose talents were ideally suited to Tashkent. He was liked and admired by everyone he met. It is with a certain humility that I inherit his mantle.

But on a happier note, I liked Tashkent immediately I saw it and vowed to return. Of course, I had no idea I would return as Ambassador, an honour I accepted with alacrity. The hospitality of the Uzbek people is legendary and I have found it as warm as the legend suggests. And the beauty of Uzbekistan’s natural environment and sites of historical interest must surely give it a great future in the tourism industry.

- Tell about your family.

- I am married to Linda, and I can say without hesitation after twenty-six years of marriage, it is the best thing I did in my life. But I got the better of the bargain – Linda is very capable, positive, strong and a wonderful mother. I, on the other hand, am cantankerous and dilatory, lost in my private world of books and music, while my hapless wife is left to deal with the realities of domestic life. The weaker sex? - I don’t think so.

We have two sons – Jamie (22) is in his fifth year of medical studies and plans to be a paediatrician, and Ross (18) who entered University in September 2007 to study Arabic and Spanish. We have given them a strange life in some ways, living and going to school in Moscow, Los Angeles, Istanbul and Amsterdam (and, of course, Oxford). Both attended Harrow School, which was Winston Churchill’s old school. But, I think I can say, despite the peculiarities of diplomatic life, we are a happy and close family (Alham du llilah!)

- How did your professional activity start, including the diplomatic work?

- I never dreamed I would be an ambassador. Nor was it my intention even to join the diplomatic service. Although I studied international politics and history at my first university (Wales) I wanted to be a university librarian in order to follow my many disparate interests (from cosmology, comparative religion/theology to social history and early music).

To do that I completed a postgraduate course at the University of London, though somehow found myself applying to the Foreign Office. By some unaccountable error of judgement they accepted me and here I still am, the Foreign Office meanwhile having allowed me two spells as a Senior member of two Oxford Colleges (Jesus and St.Antony’s) and given me the unexpected privilege of being an Ambassador twice. I have no regrets, though realise that repeated family separations caused by diplomatic life is a hardship.

- Mr Ambassador, what is your opinion on the perspectives of British-Uzbek relations?

- I have no doubt that British-Uzbek relations will strengthen economically and politically. I am realistic enough to recognise that there are areas in which we do not share views, but the future is there to be created. That the UK and Uzbekistan have permanent embassies in each other’s capital is a statement of confidence in the long-term viability and positive vector of the relationship.

I would also like, in this regard, to acknowledge with gratitude the good work done by the Uzbekistan/Britain Trade and Investment Committee (UBTIC), co-chaired on the UK side with enthusiasm by Hartley Booth. UBTIC’s activities and regular meetings bear witness to the confidence of both sides in the value of the economic and commercial relationship.

- What do you think is the most important potential for Uzbekistan’s development?

- To an extent. I have already commented on this, particularly, in its economic aspect. I am convinced the possibilities for tourism in Uzbekistan are huge. The natural beauty of its mountains, lakes, historic oases and sites along the Silk Road (together with the inestimable value of guaranteed sunshine) will surely encourage the development of a wider tourist infrastructure to the benefit of the Uzbek economy as a whole.

On the scientific side, I am personally interested in the possibilities for bilateral (and EU) co-operation with Uzbekistan in the field of water management and the environment generally. During my stay in Uzbekistan I will be actively looking for ways to develop that co-operation.

- Could you please share the secrets of success of the Great Britain’s economic development?

- The United Kingdom was the birthplace of the industrial revolution. I don’t think it immodest to say I am very proud of the industrial and scientific achievements of my country over the past 250 years. (I should add, tribally, that Scotland has a particularly proud history in that regard). Britain’s aim now is to develop further that strong, scientific base and continue to offer a welcome environment for foreign investment.

Socially, Britain is now looking to develop and enjoy the benefit of multiculturalism and diversity. If, 70 years ago, the working population of the UK was predominantly white, male and Christian, that situation has now changed dramatically. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the UK, and our working and social environments are ethnically far more diverse, and in terms of gender, than our predecessors could have imagined. And my country is richer in all respects as a result. Difference should be a cause for celebration, not suspicion. I believe that the well-established British tradition of tolerance provides a firm foundation for a new and diverse society.

- Recently the people of our country have celebrated the next independence anniversary. What would like to wish in this regard?

- I congratulate the Republic on its 16th anniversary of independence, and on taking its rightful place among the community of nations. On that anniversary and for the future I wish the people of Uzbekistan what I wish for myself and my country – peace, prosperity, the freedom to raise our children in safety, in a world free of bigotry to become the people we wish we were, not what we are, tainted by the cynicism of experience and the disappointments of life. We have much to learn from our children.

Source: UzReport.com