YPFP London - Former British Foreign Secretary, Lord Douglas Hurd

Start: Mar 11 2008 - 6:30pm

End: Mar 11 2008 - 7:30pm

Event Description:

Lord Hurd

Douglas Hurd has had a distinguished career in British politics, having served as Foreign Secretary in both the Major and the Thatcher Governments. During 23 years in Parliament he also served as Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

During his time as Foreign Secretary (1989 -1995), he oversaw Britain's diplomatic responses to the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the USSR, as well as the first Gulf War.

One of the defining features of Hurd's tenure as Foreign Secretary was the British reaction to the conflict in the Balkans. During the war in Bosnia, Hurd was seen as a leading voice among European

politicians arguing against sending military aid to the Bosnians, in defiance of the line taken by President Clinton, and arguing that such a move would only create a 'level killing field' and prolong the conflict unduly.

Lord Hurd is also well known as a writer of political thrillers and his non-fiction works include The Arrow War (1967), The Search for Peace (1997), Memoirs (2003) and Robert Peel, a Biography (2007).

Lord Hurd was MP for Mid-Oxfordshire and then Witney from 1974-1997. He retired at the 1997 General Election, and was subsequently appointed a Baron.

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Now on the Blog

Terrorist Attacks in India: Some Initial Reactions

Posted by Anirudh Suri on November 28, 2008 - 2:04am.

The terrorist attacks in India have shocked the nation, and the world. I want to express my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences for the victims of these attacks and their families. The Indian security forces have displayed immense courage and fearlessness in rescuing hostages, including many foreign citizens, and securing all the buildings and landmarks that were attacked. As the encounters between the Indian security forces and the terrorists continue, we hope and pray that any further loss of innocent life is prevented.

Despite the heroic efforts of the forces, the terrorist act has raised serious doubts about India's intelligence and security apparatus. Indians have responded with an outpour of anger and outrage at this brazen attack, but they have also started to pose tough questions about the ability of the government to protect its citizens, and others residing in the country. The fact that this time around the terrorists specifically sought out and targeted British and American citizens points to the fact that terror attacks in India are no longer meant to hurt only Indians, but also to advance the cause of global jihadi movements.