Diplomatic Immunity

Exemption of foreign diplomatic agents or representatives from local jurisdiction. Also see Diplomatic Immunity.

Diplomatic Note

A formal written means of communication among embassies.

Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities

Historically accorded in recognition that the diplomat represents (and is responsible to) a different sovereignty; also in order that the legitimate pursuit of his official duties will not be impeded in any unnecessary way. They include inviolability of person and premises and exemption from taxation and the civil and criminal jurisdiction of local courts. Also see Diplomatic Immunity.

Diplomatic Ranks

Listed in order of precedence:

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Ministers Plenipotentiary

Ministers

Chargé d'Affaires ad hoc or pro tempore

Chargé d'Affaires ad interim

Minister-Counselors

Counselors (or Senior Secretaries in the absence of Counselors)

Army, Naval and Air Attachés

Civilian Attachés

First Secretaries

Second Secretaries

Assistant Army, Naval and Air Attachés Civilian Assistant Attachés

Third Secretaries and Assistant Attachés

Diplomatist

It has the same meaning as "diplomat". An outdated word rarely used now in spoken diplomacy but occasionally still appearing in the literature of diplomacy.

Dispatch

A written, as opposed to a telegraphic, message from an embassy to its home office or vice versa.

Dual Accreditation

Having two or more responsibilities, such as an ambassador who is simultaneously accredited to two nations.

Economic Officer

A career diplomat who specialized in economics rather than political, administrative, or other matters.

Embassy

The residence of an ambassador. In recent years, also inaccurately used to denote the building which contains the offices of the ambassador and other key members of his staff. The proper term for the latter, as noted above, is the "chancery". As also noted above, confusion is nowadays avoided through the practice of using the two terms "embassy residence" and "embassy office".

Entente

Denotes a close understanding between certain nations. It suggests mutual and complementary efforts, and a sense of compatible objectives. It can be agreed on orally or in writing, but as a concept is generally less binding than a treaty relationship.

Envoy

Nowadays used to refer to any senior diplomat. Earlier it had a specific hierarchical connotation, being used to designate diplomatic agents of less than the highest rank.

Excellency

An archaic but still much-used title for addressing an ambassador. Theoretically, an American ambassador is not supposed to be addressed this way, but he generally is – along with all his other ambassadorial colleagues. "Mr. Ambassador" is more accurate and less silly. That he is; he may or may not be "excellent."

Exchange of Notes

A common way of recording an agreement. The contents of the notes are, of course, agreed upon in advance by the two nations participating in the exchange.

Exequatur

A document issued to a consul by the host country government authorizing him to carry out his consular duties.

Ex Gracia

Something which is done as a gesture of good will and not on the basis of an accepted legal obligation.

Extradition

The term for the process, governed by formally concluded agreements, by which fugitives fleeing justice from one country are returned from the country where they have sought refuge. It does not apply to political offenses.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 861