Reading 5: Ranks in bilateral diplomacy

Task 22. Until the early 19^th Century, each European nation had its own system of diplomatic rank, which was a source of dispute. The Congress of Vienna of 1815 formally established an international system of diplomatic ranks within bilateral diplomacy framework. Study the chart below:

Task 23. Arrange the following diplomatic ranks in correct hierarchical order. Make use of the chart :

 

1. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary (usually just referred to as a Minister, an Envoy).

2. Attaché.

3. Chargé d'affaires ("chargé").

4. Counselor of Embassy

5. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

6. Minister Resident or Resident Minister (or simply "Minister").

Task 24. Match the ranks with the descriptions of their powers. Make use of exercise 22 :

a) This person is a diplomatic representative with plenipotentiary powers (i.e. full authority to represent the head of state). As they formally represent the head of state, they are entitled to use the title "His/Her Excellency" (abbreviated as H.E.).

NB. Among Commonwealth countries, the equivalent title that is normally used is High Commissioner, who represents the government rather than the head of state.

b) This is a diplomatic representative with plenipotentiary powers (i.e. full authority to represent the head of state), but ranking below an Ambassador. As they formally represent the head of state, they are also entitled to use the title "His/Her Excellency".

c) This is the lowest rank of full chief of mission, above only chargé d'affaires (who are considered as substitutes or acting chiefs of mission).

NB. Note that both the Envoy (Minister Plenipotentiary) and the Minister Resident are diplomatic ministers, which are not the same thing as government ministers or religious ministers. A diplomatic mission headed by either type of Minister would be called a Legation.

d) As the title suggests, this person is in charge of the affairs of a diplomatic mission in the usually temporary absence of a more senior diplomat. A chargé d'affaires ad interim or simply "a.i." is generally serving as chief of mission during the temporary absence of the head of mission, while the chargé d'affaires e.p. or en pied maintains the same functions and duties as an ambassador, and is accredited not to the head of state but to the foreign minister of the receiving state. In such cases, the diplomatic mission advises the local government (usually the foreign ministry) by means of a diplomatic note that a specific individual has been appointed chargé for a specific or indefinite period of time.

e) A senior diplomatic title ranking just behind an ambassador and a minister. In many embassies there is no minister, and the counselor is the number two man, i.e., the deputy chief of mission. (In a very small embassy, the second may not have this rank). In a large embassy, the second ranking officer may be a minister, or minister-counselor, in which case the heads of the more important sections have counselor rank. Thus, for example, the embassy’s political counselor, economic counselor, an administrative counselor are well-known and much-respected positions in diplomatic life.

f) This term is used for any diplomatic agent who does not fit in the standard diplomatic ranks, often because they are not (or were not traditionally) members of the sending country's diplomatic service or foreign ministry, and were therefore only "attached" to the diplomatic mission. The most frequent use is for military attachés, but the diplomatic title may be used for any specific individual or position as required. Since administrative and technical staff benefit from only limited diplomatic immunity, some countries may routinely appoint support staff as attachés. Attaché does not, therefore, denote any rank or position (except in Soviet and post-Soviet diplomatic services, where attaché is the lowest diplomatic rank of a career diplomat). Note that many traditional functionary roles, such as press attaché or cultural attaché, are not formal titles in diplomatic practice, although they may be used as a matter of custom.

Task 25. Find the synonyms for the following words and phrases in exercise 23 :

1. to have right

2. diplomatic mission

3. temporary

4. empowered

5. host country

6. delegate

Task 26. Translate the following into English :

 

 1. Надзвичайний та Повноважний Посол Республіки Туреччини в Україні ініціюватиме відкриття у Львові Почесного консульства. 2. В сучасній міжнародній практиці загальноприйнятими є три основні класи глав дипломатичних представництв — посли, посланники та повірені у справах. 3. Як правило, посли очолюють посольства, а посланники — дипломатичні місії. 4. Повірені у справах можуть керувати роботою як посольства, так і місії, хоча найчастіше вони очолюють місії (якщо держави домовилися обмежитись цим рівнем).

 

Task 27. Read the following excerpt :

 

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