Diplomacy vs foreign policy

Dr Andrestinos N. Papadopoulos
Ambassador a.h.

Foreign policy charts the course to be followed by the state in accordance with its goals. These goals are defined by permanent data, like geography, history, civilisation, national characteristics, etc, and changing factors of an internal or external nature.
Diplomacy implements the foreign policy charted by the state. The function, therefore, of a diplomat is a very serious affair, since it is through diplomacy that the relations between states are governed. The general public believes that diplomats are well-dressed people who enjoy themselves participating in receptions, dinners, social functions, etc. The truth, however, lies in the fact that the diplomats work hard to protect the independence of their country through friendships and alliances, promote its various interests, settle peacefully international disputes, and patiently develop international relations. The art and the technique deployed to that effect, though, have to respect rules and time-honoured practices.
The diplomatic profession is very old. Ancient documents contain treaties of peace and alliance, and we know that in ancient Greece the amphictyons, deputies from Greek states, were forming a council to solve disputes. To the amphictyonies, the ancient Greek cities were sending their old people, who were wise and experienced. In fact, the Greek word for Ambassador is presvis, meaning old man. In the fifteenth century relations between states were served through the establishment of permanent missions in foreign capitals. This practice was generalised in the seventeenth century, and in particular after the Treaty of Westfalen. The term diplomat appeared at the end of the eighteenth century, and derives from the Greek word diploma, “folded paper”, i.e. official letters of credence delivered by the Ambassador.
This for background. The functions of the diplomat cover grosso modo four areas: representation, protection, information and negotiation.
The Ambassador represents the government of his country, and speaks in its name. Hence the reference in its title “extraordinary and plenipotentiary”. In the past, the Ambassador was considered as representing the person of the sovereign, which explains the exceptional immunities enjoyed by the chief of mission, and his staff. Since the diplomats reflect the image of their country, their public and private behaviour should be irreproachable. In order to promote good relations between the two countries, the Ambassador should establish good personal relations through contacts with the central authorities of the receiving country, as well as the local authorities. Also important is the duty to entertain well. In this respect, mention should be made of the advice Napoleon was giving to his ambassadors before leaving for their country of accreditation. “Tenez bonnes tables” (entertain well). We observe that he took well the advice given to him by his close personal aide, soldier and diplomat, the Marquis de Caulaincourt, that “c’est principalement par la table que l’on gouverne” (it is principally through the table that we govern).
Within the general framework of protection, the Ambassador should protect and ameliorate the status of the citizens of his country, enhance the commercial trade, and strengthen intellectual and cultural relations, essential elements for the development of good relations between the two countries.
Another important field of activities is information. There are many ways to get it: reading the press, discussions with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, colleagues from other embassies, and personalities of different background, to mention some.
Any action aiming at getting secret information through devious means gives the right to the government of the country of residence to expel the diplomat engaged in such activities, as persona non grata.
On many occasions the Ambassador has to find a solution to problems arising from the need to adjust the views of the receiving country to those of his government. He is, therefore, obliged to negotiate. Given the fact that the negotiation is “the art of the possible”, the Ambassador has to know the maximum objective he is pursuing, the minimum result he can live with, and the maximum concessions he can make. The success of his endeavours depends on his personal temperament, the respect and confidence he can command, his connections, his discretion and modesty.
On the other hand, what would be of help to the successful conclusion of the negotiation are, inter alia, the following: In-depth knowledge of the policy of his country, and that of the host country, general knowledge to guide his reactions, vigilant and objective spirit, prudent and reserved character, healthy judgement, immense patience, knowledge of foreign languages, and most important, tact. To be efficient in the exercise of these four functions, the diplomat should have the qualities just described.
With the expansion of international organisations the functions of the diplomatic agents took a multilateral character. In contrast to bilateral diplomacy, multilateral diplomacy offers advantages to small states, as they can benefit from the conflict of interests of the great powers and can count on the one country – one vote system. Mere reference to multilateral diplomacy immediately introduces the complex system of international relations and the constant element of change, which gives a new dimension to the functions of the modern diplomat. He has to cultivate contracts and establish relations with a host of diplomatic agents from different countries for the promotion of his country’s interests. This is exactly the case of Cyprus, whose diplomats for the last fifty years have been trying to find a solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of international organisations, using existing mechanisms.
Concluding, we observe that the functions of the diplomat have undergone big changes. In the past, the Ambassador was handling exclusively the affairs of his Government. Today, the Head of State or his Foreign Minister communicate directly with their counterparts, through telephone, e-mails or otherwise. The Ambassador is informed about the event and the content of their understanding post factum. Newly independent countries of the sixties, mainly from Africa, brought considerable changes to some aspects of the diplomatic protocol, the tenets of which he has to obey in his everyday activity, and this is what is expected of him.