Introduction. Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic Relations

Text 1

Part 3

Ex.1 Match the words below with their corresponding definitions:

Ambassador, mission, state, indispensable, politician, to prevail, diverse, intermediary, to reconcile, diplomat

1. person taking part in politics or very interested in politics

2. settle, end, to overcome one’s objection

3. of different kinds

4. person engaged in diplomacy for his country

5. person or thing acting as a link between persons or things

6. authorized representative

7. organized political community with government; territory in which this exists

8. be generally seen, done

9. essential

10. a number of persons to perform a special task, usually abroad

At the present stage of man’s development this world is divided into almost 200 units called states. How and why the states came to have a shape and population they have today is mainly a matter of historical accident and personal design. Within a state the rule of law prevails, and those who break the law are punished. But outside the territory of a state no such law exists, and the choice between international anarchy and international harmony rests freely with the individual states. Towards fellow-states they may behave responsibly or irresponsibly, peacefully or aggressively; even a negative, isolationist attitude can be beneficial or harmful, for every state is a matter of a community and not only its action but also its inaction affects the whole.

The main objective of any state in its relations with other states is to direct and influence these relations for its own maximum advantage; but at the same time, and if only in a self-interest, it has the responsibility of formulating its policies towards other states and managing its relations in the interests of world harmony, thus helping to prevent wars and the waste of wealth. The formulation of foreign policy is one of the aspects of national politics and is the task of the politician, while the management of international relations and the reconciliation of diverse foreign policy priorities is the task of the diplomat.

The basis of diplomacy is communication – of thoughts and ideas – between the governments of states (and to an increasing extent with international organizations), and this can be affected directly between heads of government or indirectly through the intermediary of written correspondence or of an ambassador. Between the super-states and between neighbouring states diplomacy at its highest level can most easily and most logically be conducted by heads of government meeting together face to face and exchanging their thoughts and ideas – talking, reasoning and discussing; but, because of their variety and complexity, diplomatic relations in general can only be conducted indirectly, and centuries of experience have shown that the person of an ambassador is indispensable for this purpose. But an ambassador rarely works on his own: he is a head of a diplomatic mission which, working together as a team, provides the basic and all-important link between government and government or between government and international organization.

Ex.2 Answer the following questions based on the reading:

1. How did states come to have a shape and population they have today?

2. Does the behaviour of individual states affect the whole community if they choose international harmony? International anarchy?

3. What is the main objective of any state in its relations with other states?

4. What is the task of the politician?

5. What is the task of the diplomat?

6. What is the basis of diplomacy?

7. Who is diplomacy at its highest level conducted by?

8. Why is the person of ambassador indispensable in diplomatic relations?

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