As regular readers will be aware, my fellow Global Dashboard columnist Richard Gowan is never happier than when Europe is burnishing its peacebuilding credentials, whether on Iraq, Chad or elsewhere. So we can all share in Richard’s joy when he learns that the Council of Europe has appointed former UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to lead a mission to rescue Armenia from its current instability. Prescott, it will be recalled, has in the past proved his mettle on conflict management in Kovosa and the Balklands, so we’re expecting great things.
Gowan replies: Alex is correct to guess at my excitement at this new twist. I don’t know a huge amount about Armenia, but it seems to be a land of medieval vendettas, casual violence and incomprehensible oaths. So sending Mr Prescott is an act of genius.
