RUSI Qatar Launched
10 December 2007
The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI) launched the activities of its Doha office on 10 December 2007. The office was inaugurated at the British Embassy in Doha and it marks the first establishment of a branch outside London since the founding of the Institute in 1831.
Left to Right: Major General Saad Jassim Al-Khelaifi, Director of General Security for the State of Qatar; HE Ambassador Khaid Al Mansouri, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the UK; Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, former Foreign Office Minister, HE Mohamed Al Rumaihi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Follow Up Affairs for the State of Qatar; The Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP, UK Armed Minister Minister; Sir Paul Lever, Chairman of RUSI.
Opening with the outstanding support of His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the establishment of the RUSI office in Doha is part of the Institute’s strategy to expand its defence and security research activities to key regions of the world.
Attending the launch reception as Guests of Honour were HE Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, the Assistant Foreign Minister for Follow Up Affairs for the State of Qatar, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, former British Foreign Office Minister, and the Rt. Hon. Bob Ainsworth MP, the UK Minister for the Armed Forces.
Present from RUSI were Sir Paul Lever, the Chairman of the Council; Professor Michael Clarke, the Director of the Institute; Dr Jonathan Eyal, the Director of International Security Studies, together with Colonel The Hon. Alastair Campbell and Mr Mark Thomas, the Director and Deputy Director of the new office, respectively.
RUSI Qatar will seek to promote a deeper debate between military and security communities in the region and the West about the current and future threats faced and the opportunities for overcoming them. It will aim to increase understanding by decision makers and practitioners, and serve as a link between people with expertise on the region, on military affairs, international relations, and homeland security.
Roddy Drummond, British Chargé d'Affaires, Doha
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
The Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP, UK Armed Forces Minister
Sir Paul Lever, Chairman of RUSI
Professor Michael Clarke, Director of RUSI
Col The Hon Alastair Campbell, Director of RUSI(Qatar)
Speech of Sir Paul Lever, Chairman of RUSI Council
"Your Excellencies, Ministers, Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of RUSI Council and its staff, I would like to thank you all for your kind words of congratulations and encouragement.
I will not hide it from you that, while we regard today as an important event in our institutional history, it is also a big challenge. RUSI may have been in existence for almost 180 years, yet until now all its activities have been directed from its offices in Whitehall, which also happens to be the nerve centre of the British government.
This is not to say that we were ready to sing the government’s tune; it may surprise some of you to learn that RUSI criticised many of Britain’s imperial expeditions during the 19th century, and it did so even more forcefully during the 20th century. Nevertheless, our location did mean that we adopted a British view on most world affairs.
Such an arrangement may have made sense in the past. But it no longer makes sense today. This is not only because Britain – as well as all other European countries – now exercise less influence on world affairs, but also because new poles of power are emerging in the world. If we are to maintain our global outlook, we need to have a presence in some of the key regions, and I do not need to explain why the Gulf is one of our main areas of interest.
RUSI in Qatar will remain an independent organisation, providing impartial research and advice, promoting a serious discussion about security issues and engaging with the local community of diplomats, the military, as well as academics. For us, Qatar is the ideal location: quite apart from the country’s top-notch infrastructure, it is also home to the one television network which has revolutionised the history of broadcasting in the Arab-speaking world. Under the guidance of His Highness The Emir, you have transformed this country into a hub of information and education; we are glad to play our role in this process of transformation.
Many people have worked hard to make this day a reality, and I cannot possibly thank them all. Pride of place in our thanks, of course, must go to His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar who, when presented with our plans, immediately understood their significance, and pledged his gracious support. A special “thank you” is also due to Minister Al-Rumaihi, who spent many hours of work with us, ironing out last-minute difficulties, while providing us with very useful advice.
I would also like to offer special thanks to Ambassador Al Mansouri, the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Court of St James’s, who was the first to conceive the idea. His endless enthusiasm pushed us forward, and ultimately led to our success. His partner in his endeavour was Rear Admiral Richard Cobbold, RUSI’s Director until the middle of this year. I am glad that he is with us today, to see a project which he was instrumental in putting together, finally brought to fruition.
My gratitude also goes to Roddy Drummond for his hospitality, and to all the Embassy staff. But, I must conclude with a more general vote of thanks to the people of Qatar, who received us with such genuine warmth.
The time for celebrations will soon be over, and hard work lies ahead of us. I wish our staff here, on the ground, total success in their endeavours. And I very much hope that, not before long, we may be able to include some Qatari nationals among our employees."
To find out more, call Mark Thomas +974 5085287 or email markt@rusi.org
