The head of mission

Ex.2 Memorize the usual definitions of the staff of a diplomatic mission.

Ex. 1 Speak about the general observations concerning terminology of diplomacy.

Accounts

Commercial section

Consular section

Press and Information section

Military, Naval, Air and other specialist services.

Text 2

The head of mission is responsible for all matters connected with his mission. He may, and does, delegate various functions to his staff, but he alone is responsible both to his own government and to the government to which he is accredited for the conduct of the mission.

Irrespective of the size of his staff there are certain basic priorities to which a head of mission normally devotes his personal attention:

(a) the formulation of diplomatic policy;

(b) transmitting to the host government the views of his own government on important matters of common interest and common policy, and acting as the channel of communication between the two in such matters;

(c) reporting to his Ministry on events of political or economic significance, whether they are of direct significance (e.g. the national budget or ministerial changes) or of indirect significance (e.g. changes and trends in social or economic conditions), and commenting on the views of third parties in the country (e.g. articles from the local press, opinions of other diplomats);

(d) being aware of the people of influence and the sources of national power in the state in which he is serving;

(e) conducting himself in his official and personal behaviour in such a way as to bring credit to his country;

(f) cultivating as wide and as varied a circle of friends as is possible in order to be able to fulfill (a), (c), (d) and (e) above.

The formulation of the diplomatic policy of a mission is a major responsibility of the head of mission, and in this he is assisted by his principal advisers – the heads of the various sections of his mission. The diplomatic policy of a mission can best be defined as the positive attitude adopted towards all matters relating to intercourse between the head of mission’s own state and the one to which he is accredited. It is the product of political judgment, political sense and political wisdom, and is based on an intimate knowledge and understanding of the people and governments of the two states concerned. It may take the form of the head of mission recommending policies to his own government or seeking clarification of their instructions and suggesting a different line of approach; or alternatively suggesting to the government to which he is accredited that a communication that they have instructed him to refer to his government should be reconsidered. It is reflected in the advice given to visiting politicians or businessmen on how to approach people or problems, and is the function that differentiates a diplomatic mission from a post office.

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