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Extraterritoriality The exercise by one nation, as a result of formally concluded agreements, of certain sovereign functions within the territory of another state. A curtailment of the jurisdiction of the latter state in certain specified areas and/or in certain specified respects.
F
Final Act (Acte Final) A formal summary statement, drawn up at the conclusion of a conference.
Foggy Bottom The name given to a once marsh like area near Washington’s Potomac River, and now somewhat irreverently bequeathed to the U.S. Department of State, one of that area’s best-known modern occupants.
Foreign Affairs Community An American government term used to denote the State Department and other government departments and agencies (Defense, Commerce, Agriculture, Treasury, U.S. Information Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Agency for International Development, etc.) which have special interests and responsibilities in the foreign affairs field.
F.S.O. Shorthand for a career American diplomat, i.e., an American Foreign Service officer.
Full Powers A document which authorizes a diplomat to conduct and consummate special business on behalf of his government, such as the settlement of a dispute or the negotiation and signing of a treaty. Before signing a treaty, a diplomat is obligated to show his full-powers document to the other parties involved.
G
Good Offices An effort by a third state, or by an individual or an international body, designed to stimulate the processes of settlement in a dispute between two other states.
Guarantee, Treaty of A treaty which requires signatories to guarantee that situations agreed upon will be maintained. The honoring of such commitments can precipitate armed conflicts.
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H
High Commission A diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth country in another. For example, Canada has a High Commission in Canberra, Australia.
High Commissioner The chief of a high commission. Similar to what an ambassador is to an embassy.
L
Legation These are rare now, but they were once very common. A legation is a diplomatic mission similar for most practical purposes to an embassy, but lower in rank, and presided over by a minister rather than an ambassador. For most of the last century, American diplomatic representation abroad was limited to legations, and for much of this century, the U.S. was represented in more countries by legations than it was by embassies.
Letters of Credence See Credentials.
Letters of Recall Also presented by a new ambassador, along with his letter of credence, to the chief of state of his host country during his credentials-presentation ceremony. It is the official document which formally recalls his predecessor.
M
Minister, Minister-Counselor Apart from its cabinetofficer connotation (i.e. "foreign minister"), a minister has traditionally been a chief of diplomatic mission who headed a legation rather than an embassy. As so few legations are left, the title is now borrowed more and more to designate the second-ranking officer of a large embassy. It has, therefore, come increasingly to mean the senior counselor under the ambassador. To avoid confusion with the old connotation, the United States and a number of governments designate these senior deputy chiefs of mission by the hyphenated title "minister-counselor".
Mission A generic term for embassy. Mission also describes the entirety of official representation in a given foreign country which functions under the supervision of the Ambassador, including civilian and military personnel.
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Modus Vivendi A temporary agreement, in writing, of an interim character, pending the negotiation of more definitive arrangements.
P
Passport The official document issued to a person by his/her government certifying citizenship and requesting foreign governments to grant the individual safe passage, lawful aid and protection while under that government's jurisdiction.
P.C. Used in written social correspondence, "pour condoler" (to express sympathy).
P.F. Used in written social correspondence, "pour féliciter" (to extend congratulations).
P.M. Used in written social correspondence, "pour memoire" (to remind).
P.P. Used in written social correspondence, "pour présenter" (to introduce).
P.P.C. Used in written social correspondence, "pour prendre congé" (to say goodbye).
P.R. Used in written social correspondence, "pour remercier" (to express thanks).
Persona Non Grata An individual who is unacceptable to or unwelcome by the host government.
Precedence Priority; the right to superior honor on a ceremonial or formal occasion; for ambassadors in a country, precedence is determined by the order in which they presented their credentials to the host government.
Protocol Refers to the ceremonial side of diplomacy, including matters of diplomatic courtesy and precedence. Also see Diplomatic Protocol.
Protocol Another name for an agreement. Originally a protocol was considered a somewhat less formal document than a treaty, but that is a distinction no longer valid. A protocol may be an agreement in its own right. It also may constitute added sections which clarify or alter an agreement, or it may be used to add new subjects of agreement to the original document.
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R
Rapporteur The official of a committee or subcommittee whose job is to prepare a summary report of its discussions and conclusions.
Rapprochment The establishment of improved relations.
Ratification The act, subsequent to a treaty’s having been negotiated, by which a government commits itself to adhere to that treaty. In the United States, it is inaccurate to speak of the Senate’s ratifying a treaty. The executive does this, but only after the Senate has given its consent.
Recognition Commonly used in connection with the recognition by one state of 1) the existence of another state (for example when a new one is formed), or 2) the existence of a government which is in effective control of a state. The term "de facto recognition" means recognition that a state, or a government of a state, in fact exists – but it also means the withholding of full official recognition of this. When the latter is extended, it is termed "de jure recognition". It is a distinction based more on diplomatic convenience than on logic.
S
Seventh Floor Shorthand for the most senior leadership of the U.S. State Department. It is where the offices of the Secretary of State and his most senior aides are located.
Short-Timer A diplomat whose assignment at a foreign post is nearing its close. A phrase borrowed from the military.
Sixth Floor Where many of the U.S. State Department’s regional and other assistant secretaries have their offices. Shorthand for the assistant secretary level of the department’s leadership.
T
T.D.Y. Shorthand for a temporary duty assignment.
Tour D’Horizon A diplomatic discussion covering most (or at least a number of ) subjects of current and common concern.
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Treaty A formal mutually binding agreement between countries. The term comes from traiter, to negotiate.
U
Ultimatum A last statement indicating a final position. On occasion a prelude to the initiation of military action.
Unfriendly Act A term used when one government wishes to tell another that an action the latter has taken is regarded as so serious that it might lead to a military action against it. An action which risks war.
V
Vice Consul A junior ranking consular officer.
Visa Written authority to enter a country for either temporary or permanent residence, depending on its wording.
Некоторые полезные латинские термины a posteriori – задним числом.
a priori – заранее.
ab initio – с самого начала.
ad hoc – только для этого случая.
ad interim – на данное время, временный. ad notam – к сведению.
ad referendum – отложить для дальнейшего рассмотрения.
alias – иначе, известный также под именем. alternatum – взаимозаменяемо.
altum mare – открытое море.
authentikos – подлинный, действительный, верный, основанный на первоисточнике.
bonae fidei – добросовестно. casus – дело, событие, случай.
casus belli – повод для объявления войны.
casus foederis – случай, подпадающий под положение договора.