Reports of current attempts by Russian authorities to undermine the work of the British Council are extremely worrying. Today's breaking news, that the man who chairs the work of the council in St Petersburg has been arrested, underlines that concern. The British Council is not a political front organisation acting as a stooge for government (unless it, too, has been prostituted by recent nefarious politics). It does what it says on the tin, linking, at a cultural level, people from all walks of life through the prism of British culture. Its nexus across the globe is impressive.
When I lived and worked in Iraq (1984-87) I was able to make full use of its manifold provisions, especially accessing its wonderful library in Baghdad. It was also an enchanting place - with beautiful gardens and spaces - and always bubbling with the enthusiasm of young Iraqi students anxious to learn more of Britain and the English language.
As a republican myself, I found their fascination - and it was that - for Princess Diana discomfiting, but I did my best by telling them what Scotland was, including our fainter enthusiasm for things royal. They were better able to grasp my dislike of Margaret Thatcher, given their own distaste for Saddam, although the poll tax miasma was too esoteric to explain properly, even to myself.
It was in the British Council offices where I first met Margaret Hassan who worked there in the library. She helped me obtain back copies of the New Statesman (The Herald was not available). Readers may recall that Mrs Hassan was murdered by al Qaeda a few years ago. She knew what the invasion would mean, having lived in Iraq for 30 years. She loved that benighted country as I did; more, since she was married to an Iraqi and committed to staying.
I hope the government does not buckle in the face of Russian threats and bluster, and that realpolitik will not take its doleful toll. We shall see. For this is a British institution to cherish and worth defending.
Chris Walker, 21/23 Main Street, West Kilbride.
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