RIYADH, 3 November 2004 — Former British Ambassador to the Kingdom Sir David Gore-Booth, 61, well-known as a supporter of Saudi Arabia, died in London on Sunday.
British Ambassador Sherard Cowper-Coles told Arab News that Gore-Booth was one of Britain’s brightest diplomats and had served twice in Saudi Arabia and loved the Arabian Peninsula.
“Like all true friends he spoke frankly in what he believed to be the best interests of those who commanded his respect and affection. In an often gray world, David was a beacon of light, with a sense of fun, and of proportion,” Cowper-Coles said. “We will all be the poorer for the loss of his companionship and counsel, and his courage, both moral and physical, so evident during his last illness,” he added.
Cowper-Coles took the opportunity to convey his deepest sympathy to Gore-Booth’s widow, Mary, and all his family. Gore-Booth joined the Foreign Service in 1964. He served in the Middle East for more than 15 years during his diplomatic career. He was the British consul in Jeddah for two years in the late 1970s. He later was appointed ambassador to the Kingdom in 1993 while serving as assistant undersecretary of state for the Middle East at the British Foreign Office where he served for three years before being named British high commissioner for New Delhi.
After retirement from Foreign Service, he became a board member of the British Arab Commercial Bank, the Saudi British Bank, Vedanta Resources, the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, HSBC Bank Egypt and of HSBC Bank Middle East. At the time of his death, he was the special adviser to the chairman of HSBC Banking Group.
Speaking to the press recently about the Kingdom, Gore-Booth noted Saudi Arabia has had its share of mixed publicity in the recent past. Although questions remain about the country’s development, he said the Saudi government is committed to a range of reforms that will help the Kingdom meet the economic and social challenges ahead.
