LOCATION Prince Mohammed University

SPEAKER HM Ambassador Sir William Patey KCMG

EVENT HMA speech at Prince Mohammed University

DATE 10/10/2009

Introduction

• Great to be here. My first time. But the reputation of the university precedes it. The university has only been open a short time. But PMU is well known in Britain and the West for its pioneering focus on technology, for its use of English and its partnerships with other world class universities like the university of Leeds where my son studies.

• Want to pay tribute as well to the vision and leadership of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Fahd who founded the university and who it is named after.

• My background.

Summary

• What I want to do today is to talk about Britain and the Middle East. Our history, our current relationship, and our future.

• What I want to suggest is that Britain today has developed strategic partnerships with the countries of the Middle East. Partnerships built on respect and shared interests.

• And I want to suggest that this relationship now extends beyond governments. Businesses, students, tourists and pilgrims are forging links which are stronger and more exciting than those between governments.

• Finally I want to correct some of the misconceptions of Britain’s role which I hear time again from Saudi friends. I truly believe that Saudi Arabia and the Arab World gain much from each other.

History

• Let me start by talking straight away about the history of Britain in the Middle East.

• No country can look at its own past without some regret. The era of colonialism and empire contained incidents and episodes of which Britain is not proud. Taxi drivers in Cairo will tell you that Egypt was better organised when the British ruled it “kaan fe tantheem” but it is undeniable that colonialism stifled the national aspirations of many Arab people.

• And of course there is Balfour. I would argue that Zionism existed before the Balfour declaration, and that after it there were still a long path to the creation of the State of Israel. I want to talk about the Arab/Israeli dispute later. For now let me say that I and the British government feel the pain and suffering of individuals on both sides. We all have a duty to work for peace. And a lot of my job is doing that.

• But I want to suggest that we should spend less time focussing on history and more time on the present. Whatever the relationship was, it is now undeniably a partnership of equals.

The broadening of the bilateral relationship with KSA

• One of the best examples of this partnership is the development that I have seen in the bilateral relationship with KSA since I was here in the 1990’s.

• The bilateral relationship was based on traditional pillars of defence and trade.

• Now it encompasses other important areas:

- co-operation on international issues, whether the Arab Palestinian dispute, Climate Change or dealing with the global recession as Saudi Arabia sits at the G20 top table;
- counter terrorism co-operation; and
- education.

• And as the number of British Muslims has grown so have the links between pilgrims. 30,000 Hajjis.

• The links between our royal families, always strong, have been extended down to students at universities, or pilgrims enjoying Saudi hospitality in Makkah.

Business and Educational Opportunities

• I want to briefly focus on the trade and educational relationship between Britain and the Middle East. These economic and cultural links are crucial.

• The global economic downturn has affected us all, and the UK has not been immune. But trade opportunities are still good. British companies are still world leaders. In our globalised world we need to see more and free-er trade.

• The educational opportunities in the UK are well known. The cultural exchange of students is a key factor in building understanding and dialogue.

• I hope many of you will consider continuing your education at British universities.

Israel/Palestine

• Let me turn now to regional issues and firstly to the MEPP.

• I have mentioned the history. Let me be clear about what the UK government wants now, because I think it is a little understood position. We want

- a two state solution - a prosperous and viable Palestine living in security with Israel;
- borders agreed between the parties based on the 1967 borders;
- an immediate end to settlement activity;
- Jerusalem as the capital of both states;
- A just solution to the refugee issue.

• What the UK wants is essentially a solution along the lines of the Arab Peace Initiative which the Custodian has championed. We want what you want.

• Obama’s Presidency is an opportunity. We miss it at our peril. The Arabs need to take risks and be ambitious in pursuit of peace.

• Right now the UK is working to alleviate the position of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Britain has given $800m over the last ten years. That helps refugees, supports advocacy groups trying to prevent house demolitions and builds the capacity of the Palestinian Authority and Security Services. We are one of the very largest donors to the Palestinian people.

Iran

• I want to set the record straight about Iran too. Nobody denies Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy. We have made unprecedented offers to provide the uranium which Iran needs to develop nuclear energy.

• But Iran has said no. If it really just wanted civil nuclear energy it would have taken the offer up. But instead we see deceit and denial from the Islamic Republic. The secret nuclear facility which was revealed at Qom two weeks ago, is another example of Iran not being straight with the international community.

• And let me be clear that we believe that the Middle East needs to be free from nuclear weapons. That includes Israel. But if Iran pursues the bomb, I don’t believe Israel is going to make that tough choice.

• We want Iran to be a strong part of the international community. Nobody denies Iran’s strategic, historical, economic or cultural importance. But we want a responsible Iran working with its neighbours for regional security.

• Instead Iran supports Hizballah in Lebanon and militant Palestinian groups opposed to the peace process.  At home it brutalises its own population as they protest over suspect election results.

• Again I think Obama is an historic opportunity. He is extending the hand of friendship. Let us hope that Iran unclenches its fist.

Afghanistan

• I also want to briefly mention the situation in Afghanistan.

• The UK is committed to supporting the Afghan people and government is building a secure and prosperous future. We really do not want to remain in Afghanistan for a moment longer than we have to. But the Afghan people deserve security, stability and opportunity.

• The challenges are considerable. The Taleban are ruthless and know the country well. And the conflict has spilled into Pakistan presenting a serious threat to that country.

• But the stakes are high too. Very obviously we need to close the space that Al Qaeda’s senior leadership have to operate. It is not acceptable for them to be free to plan attacks on London or Saudi Arabia. And the Afghan people deserve a better future than the one the Taleban offered.

Conclusion – Global Challenges

• There is a lot of talk about Globalisation. What this financial crisis has taught us is that no country is an island. We all rely on each other.

• As we look at the challenge of this century many of them require a global response. Fighting international terrorism, stopping climate change, returning the global economy to growth.

• To meet these challenges we need a different type of international relations. One based on respect and co-operation.

• Britain wants a successful, stable, prosperous middle east. The British government looks to its friends in the region to be partners in pursuit of that goal.

• But even more excitingly British people are learning, worshipping and trading with Arabs every day. The links which these interactions build change the dynamic of world affairs.

• As we look to your generation, to the leaders of tomorrow, we do so with the confidence that you understand the complexity and richness of the world better than we do. I want to finish by saying to you: go, travel, study, work, build friendships, and take this partnership onto your own shoulders. Learn from our mistakes. And know that Britain and the Middle East are friends and partners, now and in the future.

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