Conversation so far:
When did Robin become foreign secretary?
1997 general election, Cook became Foreign Secretary.
what did he do as foreign secretary?
He was believed to have coveted the job of Chancellor of the Exchequer.
did he help in any changes while in his position?
He announced, to much scepticism, his intention to add "an ethical dimension" to foreign policy.

Question: was he successful in doing so?
Self-contained rewrite: was Robin Cook successful in helping in any changes while in his position as foreign secretary?