'Never a Dull Moment': The Moscow Ambassadorship of Frank Roberts in the Years of the Berlin and Cuban Crises, 1960-62

Abstract

The article explores the largely unsung Moscow ambassadorship of Britain’s Frank Roberts, 1960-62. After examining his Embassy’s role in developing cultural and commercial relations, the article addresses Roberts’ involvement in the Berlin and Cuban missile crises. In the former case, he made a low-key but important contribution by influencing American policy, while in the second case he provided insightful assessments of Soviet attitudes and thinking. It is argued that Roberts’ ambassadorship demonstrated the continued importance of the resident embassy and ambassador, because of the lack of ministerial-level Anglo-Soviet relations and because of the need to interpret Soviet policy in crisis situations. The research contributes to the literature of diplomatic representation as well as of Anglo-Soviet relations during the Cold War.