A very good read and scary insight to how it is in Uzbekistan, who at that time was an ally of the UK and US on the War on Terror (the so called 'goodies' fighting for the great good against evil). The book gives one person's perceptions of how Uzbekistan was then (2003) at the start of the Iraq war with regards an appalling human rights record and 'in-'justice system in what remains to this day a dictatorship. That's not just the author's view, that's pretty much fact as claimed by many international bodies.
But Uzbekistan was considered a must-have ally in terms of strategic location and resources so their actions were considered "no real problem" by the US and by proxy the UK Government whilst they suited. The British sent their ambassador to represent their view and he didn't like or agree with it much as he runs around the capital and country hearing of all sorts of horrific abuses.
The UK Foreign Office then went about their merry way to have him replaced on the back of a "stitch up" job. I am amazed he lasted as long as he did out there, or was offered the post in the first place but maybe that says more about the slow moving, slow to react civil service? In their defence I am not sure he helped himself by being a bit unconventional socially, and management style for the mandarins at Whitehall, and that's ignoring his personal stance in not following the party line.
But I like him from reading this, and I really liked the book. I can understand why some might find his humour un-PC, his eye for the ladies and liking a drink or two but he's at least self-deprecating honest about his hypocrisy (when he finds out his mistress is playing him, he states how annoyed this made him....acknowledging at the same time that he has been playing his wife). And yeah, I can't help but warm to the bloke for all his shortfalls. None of us perfect moral models.
One of his assistants at the Embassy, shortly after the author's arrival sees a detailed email the author has sent back to his bosses in London raising all his concerns and jovially says "That's the longest resignation letter I've ever seen" in a joking but not way. My exact thoughts when I read the email in the book; you know this relationship between Ambassador and his bosses at the FCO is only going to end one way eventually. The author after 20 years service must have known for this, but he is apparently not deterred from continuing to highlight the human rights record of his hosts.
Those saying he should not have complained, should have done the job he was there to do (represent the UK Government) and toed the party policy line should remember that many terrible acts and regimes in history have been able to unleash their deeds because many normally good people "just follow orders" and toe that party line.
This author couldn't, or wouldn't do so. I admire that.
As somebody who has faced the full force of the UK Civil Service as a former employee on (imvh biased opinion :) ) a stitch up, though not on his level, many of the emails, disciplinary actions, investigations of what he goes through echoes my own past experiences and took me back there.
He has my sympathy on the process, I understand a little how might have felt. Not being able to discuss the case with anyone colleague-wise to build own defence, being told not to use "emotive" language, how they must be seen to follow cold protocol whilst knifing you and ultimately no matter the right or wrongs of both side's argument your career with them being over rings very very true. They are a monster to take on. Not unlike wider UK and US policy to whatever suits at the time.
If you want a small insight in to a little known, but important to the West's agenda, brutal dictatorship from a former unconventional UK Ambassador there, written in a lads own seemingly honest way then you might just like this one.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 June 2014
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 September 2014
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 August 2020
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 October 2018
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 March 2018
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2015
Top reviews from other countries
- Eric ElliottReviewed in the United States on 5 April 2018
His details of what it is like for the people of Uzbekistan to live under Karimov's ...
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Isidro Maya JariegoReviewed in Spain on 27 May 2018
Un embajador británico en Uzbekistán
- Robert ChallisReviewed in Australia on 29 July 2019
Craig Murray's account of his Ambassadorship in Uzbekistan.
- Donna M. StewartReviewed in the United States on 3 August 2020
Are we rating the book for entertainment value, or the author for diplomatic skill?
