Straw is new U.K. Foreign Secy.

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, JUNE 9. Mr. Robin Cook has been shifted out of the Foreign Office and replaced by Mr. Jack Straw, who is Britain's new Foreign Secretary. Mr. David Blunkett, who was Education Secretary, succeeds Mr. Straw as Home Secretary.

A sweeping post-election Cabinet reshuffle, reflecting the Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair's new authority, saw Mr. Cook appointed Leader of the Commons, widely perceived as a demotion. Mr. Cook was reported to have been so shocked that his first instinct, it is stated, was to decline the new assignment. But he quickly recovered to put on a brave face saying he was ``delighted to come back home to Parliament'' after four years of jet-diplomacy and that he hoped to play a ``central'' role in piloting major bills.

Downing Street too softened the blow clarifying that it was not a demotion. ``The Prime Minister thinks there is an opportunity to use his considerable talents in another way. Parliament matters and it is important there is a political heavyweight in this important role,'' a spokesman said.

Speculation, however, continued to flourish and one of the reasons for his ``fall'' was said to be his disagreement with the powerful Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gordon Brown, over Europe, particularly the single currency. Mr. Brown, who favours a cautious approach, did not apparently like Mr. Cook's more enthusiastic stance. Mr. Straw, on the other hand, is a Eurosceptic and more in line with Mr. Brown's thinking. His more detached view on Europe as against Mr. Cook's palpably partisan line is an asset when Mr. Blair goes in for a referendum on single currency.

`Abrasive' style

Mr. Cook is also said to have ruffled too many feathers in the Foreign Office with what is described as his ``abrasive'' style. His controversial remarks on Kashmir when he accompanied the Queen to India were recalled by observers today to underline his tendency to shoot off his mouth, though even his critics acknowledged that lately he had become more restrained.

Mr. Straw is not a stranger to India either, having worked closely with North Block on issues such as international terrorism. Britain's decision to ban a number of anti-India terrorist outfits followed extensive discussions between Mr. Straw and the Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani.

Women Ministers

The new Cabinet, designed to ``deliver'' on the promises made during the election campaign, is marked by an influx of women. There are a record number of seven Cabinet Ministers in what is seen as Mr. Blair's attempt to rebut the charge that he runs a ``boys' network''.

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