KSR Diplomacy Diary: 6. Work Methods

6.     Work Methods   The best single work: Diplomacy: Theory and Practice, GR Berridge, 5th edition; heavily revised in each edition.   First: Diplomacy dialogue: When officials of two countries discuss issues international or bilateral, they seek common ground. That demands a confidential, ‘non-attributable’ environment. Ideas are floated, soundings are made, informal commitments given. Each side records the conversation, but by custom it is not cited in formal exchanges. An ambassador might agree informally that xx proposal seems acceptable and might add:’ The decision rests with the home authorities’; that is an ad referendum agreement, not a commitment.   Second: Some key phrases. A diplomat going raising an important issue wants that the other side gets an accurate record of what he says; after a statement, he hands over an aide memoire summarizing key points. With no letterhead, or signature, it is simply ‘an aid to memory’. A demarche is an action: a request, a clarification, or a presentation on a key subject. Other discussion can cover different subjects, or exchanges views; those are not demarches. A protest records an objection. By custom, the more serious the issue, the higher the level of protest delivered; the foreign ministry ‘summons’ the foreign envoy. Typically, one’s own ambassador is not used. Diplomatic immunity is a vital element of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; it might appear indulgent but is vital, a legal obligation that ambassadors and diplomats are not mistreated.   Third: For the ambassador and diplomats, the foreign ministry territorial unit dealing with their country is their ‘base station’; they need the closest connections there. At home, their ‘mother unit’ is the territorial division/department dealing with the region where they are located. At both ends, they need connections with the Office of the Head of Government, the major ministries and official actors, not forgetting the provinces and regions. Often the best connections are to be found there. No less important are the whole range non-state actors across business, academia, and other sectors.