Transcript of interview: Sir (Arthur) John Coles, 2000

File

Reference Code: GBR/0014/DOHP 46

Scope and Contents

Also includes a copy of a pamphlet written by Coles for the New Europe group, on British influence and the euro.

Dates

Creation: 2000

Creator

Coles, Arthur John, Sir, 1937 (Knight, diplomat) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.

Material in this collection is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue.

Biographical / Historical

Arthur John Coles was born 13 November 1937, son of Arthur Strixton Coles and Doris Gwendoline Coles; he was educated at Magdalen College School, Brackley and Magdalen College, Oxford (BA 1960). In 1965 he married Anne Mary Sutherland Graham.

After serving in the Forces, 1955-57, Coles joined the Diplomatic Service in 1960, and his career included: Middle Eastern Centre for Arabic Studies, Lebanon, 1960-62; Third Secretary, Khartoum [Sudan], 1962-64; Foreign Office (later Foreign and Commonwealth Office), 1964-68; Assistant Political Agent, Trucial States (Dubai), 1968-71; FCO, 1971-75; Head of Chancery, Cairo [Egypt], 1975-77; Counsellor (Developing Countries), UK Permanent Mission to EEC, 1977-80; Head of South Asian Department, FCO, 1980-81; Private Secretary to Prime Minister, 1981-84; Ambassador to Jordan, 1984-88; High Commissioner to Australia, 1988-91; Deputy Under-Secretary of State, FCO, 1991-94. Permanent Under-Secretary of State and Head of the Diplomatic Service, since 1994.

He was awarded the KCMG in 1989 (CMG 1984).