bout de papier, Vol. 29, No. 4 (2016), p. 36
Jim Gould was the consummate diplomat: polyglot, hugely knowledgeable and armed with an amazing trove of enthralling stories. He was greatly respected by his peers, and a good friend to all. His richly informed insight into Middle Eastern affairs ensured that his views were sought whenever major issues arose, and his clarity of vision found expression in measured and sometimes quite forthright language. As one friend said of Jim, he “out-thought and outworked those who mouthed platitudes …and while always polite, he could be withering in his criticisms.”
Like the classical diplomat, he was an observer of events and a gatherer of information. His passion was the Arab world. His academic studies focused on the area, including his MA from the American University in Cairo and a PhD in Islamic history from the University of Edinburgh.
Shortly after he joined the foreign service in 1975, a colleague recalls him standing on his Riverside apartment balcony loudly summoning the faithful to prayers in Arabic. A less familiar call then than now, he undoubtedly shocked many of his neighbours. It reflected his quirky sense of humour.
Most of his postings were in the Middle East, invariably during ‘interesting times.’ He later enjoyed relating how he had amassed a detailed family tree of Saddam Hussein merely by reading the gossip pages in the Arab-language Iraqi press, the results of which impressed colleagues in agencies with infinitely more resources. Once during his time in Foreign Intelligence we had a contest to see who had been present in the most wars. Jim won hands down.
Much of Jim’s career related to Canada’s security and intelligence needs. A former supervisor attests that Jim “made significant contributions to the security and well-being of Canadians, in some cases at personal risk, knowing that there would be little praise and no public acknowledgement.” His detailed insights and understanding of Saudi Arabia, Khomeini’s Iran, and the Taliban in Afghanistan were provided years before these same assessments became the standard conclusions found in intelligence reports.
Jim’s career spanned a time of great upheavals in the parts of the world with which he was concerned. Most of his career events cannot be discussed because of security considerations, but one event which had a deep impact on him was the case of Omar Khadr. A person who was close to the case described Jim’s contribution as “an example of the best of the Canadian foreign service.” Had Jim lived a little longer, he would have been proud of the Emmy nomination for Michelle Shepherd and the documentary, Guantanamo’s Child.
Jim’s love of the Middle East was also evident in the enthusiasm with which he introduced visiting colleagues and friends to the history, culture and monuments of places where he and Judith were posted.
One visiting officer completed her extensive and detailed official Baghdad program with Jim taking her on a weekend tour to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, the ruins of Babylon, and the remains of Seleucia, all the while providing a running commentary on the history and forces determining the unfolding of events in Iraq. Another colleague recalled scuba diving with Jim and Judith in the Red Sea while staying in The Creek, a small cottage available to the staff stationed in Saudi Arabia. Other forays were made to Taif and the Hejaz mountains to experience the last vestiges of unspoiled Arabia outside Yemen.
Many older members of the now Global Affairs family will remember Jim’s years in PAFSO (2002-2004) and his presidency from (2000-2002). During those years he also served in the Foreign Intelligence Division. It was a time of acrimony and poor morale. These were difficult times: the FS conversion, the compensation study with foreign governments, salary negotiations, PAFSO’s first strike and a first step in addressing the wage gap. Jim was a significant factor in attaining respect and compensation for the FS group. He orchestrated a sophisticated campaign to deal with the obstructing hurdles, worked through the bureaucratic, political and economic opposition, successfully lobbied MPs and ministers (including Minister John Manley), and brilliantly addressed popular opinion, to eventually attain a fair settlement. It was a time when PAFSO needed exceptional leadership, and Jim filled the role while gaining the respect of both members and management.
Jim’s great love was teaching. This was always evident during the years I worked with him in intelligence. Meetings sometimes became grad school seminars as he patiently and with great insights and empathy explained the complexities of the Middle East. In retirement he realized great satisfaction from teaching courses on the Middle East at both Carleton University and University of Ottawa.
Jim leaves behind his beloved Judith and their children Saara and Matthew, son- and daughter-in-law, Nick and Jessamy, plus three super grandsons — Freddie, Seeley, and Wilfred.
Above all else, Jim was a man of integrity who understood the responsibility placed on the shoulders of those working in the special areas of foreign intelligence. He bore this weight easily.
Kurt F. Jensen is a retired Foreign Service Officer who worked for many years with Jim in foreign intelligence. Kurt also went on to teach at Carleton University after retirement. These memories of Jim could not have been recorded without the significant assistance of so many of Jim’s friends and colleagues.
Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 29, No. 4 (2016), p. 36. Read the rest of this issue →
