Topic:

Diplomacy. Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic reporting. Bilateral and multilateral negotiation skills. Language and influence. Communication skills. Dealing with the media. Public diplomacy. Information technology skills for diplomatic activities. Diplomatic protocol. Crisis management. Objectives: - define the main notions related to diplomatic relations; - explain the stipulations contained in Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; - express opinions connected with diplomatic relations; - deliver one minute speeches on related topics.

DISCUSSION POINTS

Discuss the questions; make use of the words and phrases suggested in the vocabulary list below. 1 How do you understand the word diplomacy 2 What are the characteristic features of diplomacy (at personal level, at international level)? 3 How are diplomatic relations between states established? 4 What is a diplomatic mission? Where is it usually situated? 5 Who heads the diplomatic mission? Who are the diplomats? 6 What skills should a diplomat possess? What are a diplomats weapons? 7 What are consular relations? 8 What is diplomatic immunity? 9 How are disputes between states settled? 10 What is diplomatic protocol? 11What happens if the countries fail to understand each other? 12 Does a host country ever have the right to expulse diplomats? 13 What is popular diplomacy? 14 Are foreign policy and diplomacy equal?

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immunity intrusion

VOCABULARY
envoy method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments seeks to develop goodwill toward the state it represents establishes goals, prescribes strategies, and sets the broad tactics strives to preserve peace dialogue, negotiation, other measures safeguards national independence, security, and integrity employs secret agents, subversion, war, or other forms of violence substitute for the use of force summit meetings instrument of foreign policy conducted in confidence

premises

diplomatic courier to further a states interests

to strengthen the state, nation, or the organization it serves

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READING 1
A Brief History of Diplomacy

The ability to practice diplomacy is one of the defining elements of a state, and diplomacy has been practiced since the formation of the first city-states. Originally diplomats were sent only for specific negotiations, and would return immediately after their mission concluded. Diplomats were usually

relatives of the ruling family or of very high rank in order to give them legitimacy when they sought to negotiate with the other state. One notable exception involved the relationship between the Pope and the Byzantine Emperor. Papal agents, called apocrisiarii, were permanently resident in Constantinople. After the 8th century, however, conflicts between the Pope and the Emperor (such as the Iconoclastic controversy) led to the breaking down of these close ties. Modern diplomacy's origins are often traced to the states of Northern Italy in the early Renaissance, with the first embassies being established in the thirteenth century. Milan played a leading role, especially under Francesco Sforza who established permanent embassies to the other cities states of Northern Italy. It was in Italy that many of the traditions of modern diplomacy began, such as the presentation of an ambassador's credentials to the head of state. The practice spread from Italy to the other European powers. Milan was the first to send a representative to the court of France in 1455. Milan however refused to host French representatives fearing espionage and possible intervention in internal affairs. As foreign powers such as France and Spain became increasingly involved in Italian politics the need to accept emissaries was recognized. Soon all the major European powers were exchanging representatives. Spain was the first to send a permanent representative when it appointed an ambassador to the Court of England in 1487. By the late 16th century, permanent missions became the standard. Many of the conventions of modern diplomacy developed during this period. The top rank of representatives was an ambassador. An ambassador at this time was almost always a nobleman - the rank of the noble varied with the prestige of the country he was posted to. Defining standards emerged for ambassadors, requiring that they have large residences, host lavish parties, and play an important role in the court life of the host nation. In Rome, the most important post for Catholic ambassadors, the French and Spanish representatives sometimes maintained a retinue of up to a hundred people. Even in smaller posts, ambassadors could be very expensive. Smaller states would send and receive envoys who were one level below an ambassador. Ambassadors from each state were ranked by complex codes of precedence that were much disputed. States were normally ranked by the title of the sovereign; for Catholic nations the emissary from the Vatican was paramount, then those from the kingdoms, then those from duchies and principalities. Representatives from republics were considered the lowest envoys. Ambassadors at that time were nobles with little foreign or diplomatic experience and needed to be supported by a large embassy staff. These professionals were sent on longer assignments and were far more knowledgeable about the host country. Embassy staff consisted of a wide range of employees, including some dedicated to espionage. The need for skilled individuals to staff embassies was met by the graduates of universities, and this led to an increase in the study of international law, modern languages, and history at universities throughout Europe. At the same time, permanent foreign ministries were established in almost all European states to coordinate embassies and their staffs. These ministries were still far from their modern form. Many had extraneous internal responsibilities. Britain had two departments with frequently overlapping powers until 1782. These early foreign ministries were also much smaller. France, which boasted the largest foreign affairs department, had only 70 full-time employees in the 1780s. The elements of modern diplomacy slowly spread to Eastern Europe and arrived in Russia by the early eighteenth century. The entire system was greatly disrupted by the French Revolution and the subsequent years of warfare. The revolution would see commoners take over the diplomacy of the French state, and of those conquered by revolutionary armies. Ranks of precedence were abolished. Napoleon also refused to acknowledge diplomatic immunity, imprisoning several British diplomats accused of scheming against France. He had no patience for the often slow moving process of formal diplomacy. After the fall of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna of 1815 established an international system of diplomatic rank. Disputes on precedence among nations (and the appropriate diplomatic ranks used) persisted for over a century until after World War II, when the rank of ambassador became the norm. http://www.ediplomat.com/nd/history.htm

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READING 2

Read the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (see handout) and be ready to answer the following questions:

When was the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations done? When did it come into force? Why such a long period? What is the structure of the Convention? (Preamble, 53 articles). What does the Preamble stipulate? According to article 1 of the Convention, who are the employees of a diplomatic mission? How are diplomatic relations between states established? (article 2). Can a head of the mission be accredited to more than one state? (article 5) What nationality should the members of the diplomatic staff be? (article 8) What body of the receiving state should be notified of the appointment, arrival and departure of the mission (article 10) 10. Can the sending state establish offices forming part of the mission in localities other than those in which the mission itself is established? ( article 12) 11. When is the head of the mission considered as having taken up his functions in the receiving state? (article 13) 12. Where can the flag and the emblem of the sending state be used? (article 20). 13. Should the diplomatic bag be opened or detained? (article 27, 3) 14. Can the diplomatic courier be arrested or detained? (article 27, 5). 15. Can the diplomatic bag be entrusted to other people than the courier? (article 27, 7). 16. Who shall enjoy immunity from criminal jurisdiction? ( article 31, 1) 17. Is a diplomatic agent obliged to give evidence as a witness? (article 31) 18. Who can waive the immunity from jurisdiction? (article 32, 1) 19. Should the personal baggage of a diplomatic agent be inspected? (article 36) Exercise. Fill in the necessary prepositions in the sentences below. 1. Vienna Convention ______ Diplomatic Relations was done _____Vienna ________April 18, 1061. 2. It entered _________force ______April, 1964. 3. The establishment of diplomatic relations takes place _________mutual consent. 4. The premises of the mission should be protected _____________ intrusion or damage. 5. The property of the mission shall be immune ________ search, requisition, attachment or execution. 6. The head of the mission shall be exempt _________all dues and taxes. 7. A diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity ________ criminal jurisdiction of the receiving state. 8. Every person entitled ________ privileges shall enjoy them _________the moment he enters the territory of the receiving state. 9. Privileges and immunities shall cease ______ the moment when leaving the country or ________ expiry of a reasonable period. 10. They also have a duty not to interfere ________the internal affairs of that State. 11. The function of a diplomatic mission comes __________an end ______notification _______the sending state. 11. Diplomatic relations are broken __________ states. III. Choose one of the quotations below and delivery a 1 minute speech to express your opinion on it. 1. To say nothing, especially when speaking, is half the art of diplomacy. (Will Durant) 2. A diplomat is a man who remembers a ladys birthday but forgets her age.(Anonymous) 3. Diplomacy is the art of saying Nice doggie! till you can find a rock. (Wynn Catlin) 4. All war represents a failure of diplomacy. (Tony Benn) 5. Diplomacy is lying state, or the patriotic art of lying for ones country. (Ambrose Bierce) 6. Modern diplomats approach every problem with an open mouth. (Arthur J. Goldberg) 7. Diplomacy is to do and to say the nastiest things in the nicest way. (Isaac Goldberg). 8. All diplomacy is the continuation of war by other means. (Chou En-Lai)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Individual task

Choose one of the suggested topics, work in small groups and make a short presentation in class. 1. Basic functions of a diplomatic mission 2. Types of diplomatic missions. 6. Qualifications of an Ambassador 3. Ranks in a diplomatic mission. 7. Communication in Diplomacy 4. Treaties Governing Diplomatic Relations 8. Entertaining 5. Diplomatic immunity 9. Dressing 10. Receptions