abstract:Sir Arthur John Coles, GCMG (born 13 November 1937) is a retired British diplomat. He served as the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (head of the diplomatic staff) from 1994-1997.
According to the notes recorded by JohnColes, the prime minister's private secretary, Mr Reagan's view and that of the president of Brazil was that "the best chance for peace was before complete Argentine humiliation".