THE EVOLUTION, THEORY AND PRACTICE OF
DIPLOMACY:
ATTRIBUTES AND QUALITIES OF THE DIPLOMAT
What
does diplomacy really mean?
It comes from Greek word "diploma" which
literally means "folded in two". In
ancient Greece a "diploma" was
certificate which present completion of
a course of study. In the Roman Empire
"diploma" was used to describe travel
documents. In 18th Century
the French called their officials in
foreign legations the corps
"diplomatique". The word "diplomacy" was
first time introduced into the English
language in 1796 based on the French
word "diplomatie"
In the contemporary world, the word
diplomacy has assumed a broad dimension
or wider use other than the classical
usage. In fact, modern day diplomacy has
become all-involving that we can talk
about it in terms of entertainment,
parade, show of power, imposition of
will/hegemonic play, etc…
So dynamic and dramatic has diplomacy
undergone over the centuries that it has
lost its original meaning both in theory
and practice; it now represents power -
which country or State is more powerful
or influential in the international
system so that every State must submit
to its will.
For instance USA/Iraq, USA/Iran,
USA/Cuba, EU-USA/Serbia(Kosovo),
USA/North Korea, etc.....
These
days diplomacy is „my way or no way"
there are no negotiations, only the
stronger wins. Every country is led by
interests; bigger countries have bigger
interests, whilst smaller countries have
little influence and do not stand any
chance of survival.
In short modern diplomacy has been used
by bigger States to gain strategic
advantage over other smaller States in
the international system.
Multilateral diplomacy-as practiced at
the United Nations provides the forum
for exchange of experiences, conducting
negotiations, exchange of thoughts in a
culturally-diversified arena.
Unfortunately, however, the United
Nations has not lived up to the
expectations of its founding fathers,
top of which where:
-
to save succeeding
generations from the scourge of war,
which twice in our lifetime has brought
untold sorrow to mankind, and
-
to reaffirm faith in
fundamental human rights, in the dignity
and worth of the human person, in the
equal rights of men and women and of
nations, large and small, and
-
to establish conditions
under which justice and respect for the
obligations arising from treaties and
other sources of international law can
be maintained, and
-
to promote social
progress and better standards of life in
larger freedom,
-
to practice tolerance
and live together in peace with one
another as good neighbors, and
-
to unite our strength
to maintain international peace and
security, and
-
to ensure, by the
acceptance of principles and the
institution of methods, that armed force
shall not be used, save in the common
interest, and
-
to employ international
machinery for the promotion of the
economic and social advancement of all
peoples.
(
source: United Nations)
One can easily recall the wicked and
crude manipulations of the UN system by
the USA to get its will through; eg.
US-NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the
Afghanistan war, the Iraq war…..
Going back to the evolution and practice
of diplomacy, it is pertinent to remind
ourselves of the manual guide for the
conduct of modern day diplomacy – the
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic
Relations of 1961
The States Parties to the present
Convention,
Recalling
that
peoples of all nations from ancient
times have recognized the status of
diplomatic agents,
Having in mind
the
purposes and principles of the Charter
of the United Nations concerning the
sovereign equality of States, the
maintenance of international peace and
security, and the promotion of friendly
relations among nations,
Believing
that an international convention on
diplomatic intercourse, privileges and
immunities would contribute to the
development of friendly relations among
nations, irrespective of their differing
constitutional and social systems,
Realizing
that the purpose of such privileges and
immunities is not to benefit individuals
but to ensure the efficient performance
of the functions of diplomatic missions
as representing States,
Affirming
that the rules of customary
international law should continue to
govern questions not expressly regulated
by the provision of the present
Convention.
(source: MFA Georgia)
From the foregoing, it is evident that
diplomacy is conducted by diplomatic
missions, diplomatic representatives,
envoys, etc… The word "diplomat" which
was held in high esteem and admiration,
these days more or less represents
corruption, self interest, scandal,
abuse of power, etc… Take for instance
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton, Marc
Foley, Jacques Rene Chirac, Silvio
Berlusconi, UN-oil for food fraud, etc…
Very soon the word diplomat will be
associated with shame.
Diplomats should express will and
interest of their people in
international political stage on a
peaceful and understanding way.
Real diplomat is true servant of its
people and country, he is hard working,
competent person, dedicated to his work,
person who cares, person who follows
development of international relations,
current state, needs of country in which
he resides or negotiates with, person
who needs to find right and peaceful
solution for both sides no matter what.
Being a diplomat is very noble
occupation, so if you are not noble
don't do it.
Contact with something new, with new
country, foreigner, understandings plays
important role in life of a diplomat. In
this time of big international
developments and disruptions that
contact is very important for you, your
country and nation. The question is: how
to behave when in contact with a strange
world irrespective of the fact that it
is coming to you, or you are going to it
for political, personal or any matter.
In any of these matters you don't do
just work with that foreigner; in his
eyes you represent your whole nation
which can only be judged by you. You can
see how important first contact is, and
every word and manner within. So the
most frequent asked questions are: how
to present our way of living and our way
of conducting politics to the other
side? The best is through diplomacy and
that's why we need diplomats, astute
ones of course!
Being a diplomat and representing one's
country and nation is therefore a great
honour, let's not forget that.
Autor: Ivan Simic
Southeastern Europe
e-mail:
ivan.diplomacy@gmail.com
