AN AMBASSADOR

An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually
accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their
own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.[1] The
word is also often used more liberally for persons who are known, without national appointment, to represent
certain professions, activities and fields of endeavor such as sales.
An ambassador is the ranking government representative stationed in a foreign capital. The host country
typically allows the ambassador control of specific territory called an embassy, whose territory, staff, and
vehicles are generally afforded diplomatic immunity in the host country. Under the Vienna Convention on
Diplomatic Relations, an ambassador has the highest diplomatic rank. Countries may choose to maintain
diplomatic relations at a lower level by appointing a chargé d'affaires in place of an ambassador.
The equivalent to an ambassador exchanged among members of the Commonwealth of Nations are known
as High Commissioners. The "ambassadors" of the Holy See are known as Papal or Apostolic Nuncios.
 A key role of an ambassador is to coordinate the activities not only of the Foreign Service Officers
and staff serving under him, but also representatives of other U.S. agencies in the country. At some
overseas posts, personnel from as many as 27 federal agencies work in concert with embassy staff.

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 is an international treaty that defines a
framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries. It specifies the privileges of
a diplomatic mission that enable diplomats to perform their function without fear of coercion or
harassment by the host country. This forms the legal basis for diplomatic immunity. Its articles are
considered a cornerstone of modern international relations. As of February 2017, it has been ratified by
191 states.[1]

Throughout the history of sovereign states, diplomats have enjoyed a special status. Their function to
negotiate agreements between states demands certain special privileges. An envoy from another nation is
traditionally treated as a guest, their communications with their home nation treated as confidential, and their
freedom from coercion and subjugation by the host nation treated as essential.
The first attempt to codify diplomatic immunity into diplomatic law occurred with the Congress of Vienna in
1815. This was followed much later by the Convention regarding Diplomatic Officers (Havana, 1928).

Summary of provisions
The treaty is an extensive document, containing 53 articles. The following is a basic overview of its key
provisions.[2]

 Article 9. The host nation at any time and for any reason can declare a particular member of the
diplomatic staff to be persona non grata. The sending state must recall this person within a reasonable
period of time, or otherwise this person may lose their diplomatic immunity.
 Article 22. The premises of a diplomatic mission, such as an embassy, are inviolable and must not be
entered by the host country except by permission of the head of the mission. Furthermore, the host
country must protect the mission from intrusion or damage. The host country must never search the
premises, nor seize its documents or property. Article 30 extends this provision to the private residence of
the diplomats.
 Article 24 establishes that the archives and documents of a diplomatic mission are inviolable. The
receiving country shall not seize or open such documents.
 Article 27. The host country must permit and protect free communication between the diplomats of the
mission and their home country. A diplomatic bag must never be opened even on suspicion of abuse.
A diplomatic courier must never be arrested or detained.
 Article 29. Diplomats must not be liable to any form of arrest or detention. They are immune from civil
or criminal prosecution, though the sending country may waive this right under Article 32. Under Article
34, they are exempt from most taxes, and under Article 36 they are exempt from most customs duties.
 Article 31.1c Actions not covered by diplomatic immunity: professional activity outside diplomat's
official functions.
 Article 34 speaks about tax exemption of diplomatic agents while Article 36 establishes that diplomatic
agents are exempted from custom duties.
 Article 37. The family members of diplomats that are living in the host country enjoy most of the same
protections as the diplomats themselves.
Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity that ensures diplomats are given safe passage and are
considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws, but they can still
be expelled. Modern diplomatic immunity was codified as international law in the Vienna Convention on
Diplomatic Relations (1961) which has been ratified by all but a handful of nations, though the concept and
custom of such immunity have a much longer history dating back thousands of years. Many principles of
diplomatic immunity are now considered to be customary law. Diplomatic immunity as an institution
developed to allow for the maintenance of government relations, including during periods of difficulties
and armed conflict. When receiving diplomats, who formally represent the sovereign, the receiving head of
state grants certain privileges and immunities to ensure they may effectively carry out their duties, on the
understanding that these are provided on a reciprocal basis.
Originally, these privileges and immunities were granted on a bilateral, ad hoc basis, which led to
misunderstandings and conflict, pressure on weaker states, and an inability for other states to judge which
party was at fault. An international agreement known as the Vienna Convention codified the rules and
agreements, providing standards and privileges to all states.
It is possible for the official's home country to waive immunity; this tends to happen only when the individual
has committed a serious crime, unconnected with their diplomatic role (as opposed to, say, allegations
of spying), or has witnessed such a crime. However, many countries refuse to waive immunity as a matter of
course; individuals have no authority to waive their own immunity (except perhaps in cases of defection).
Alternatively, the home country may prosecute the individual. If immunity is waived by a government so that
a diplomat (or their family members) can be prosecuted, it must be because there is a case to answer and it is
in the public interest to prosecute them. For instance, in 2002, a Colombian diplomat in London was
prosecuted for manslaughter, once diplomatic immunity was waived by the Colombian government.

Immunity, Diplomatic

Diplomatic immunity includes the privileges and immunities of diplomatic representatives and the personal pr
ivileges andimmunities of the heads and personnel of diplomatic delegations. The diplomatic immunity of a d
elegation includes theinviolability of premises and archives, freedom of communications with the delegation’
s own government, the right to displaythe flag and national emblem of the state represented on the building of
the diplomatic delegation, freedom from taxes andduties, and customs privileges. Inviolability of the premise
s of a delegation (the building and portions of buildings used for thepurposes of the delegation) means that the
authorities of the state of residence have the right to enter these premises onlywith the consent of the head of
the delegation. The state of residence is obliged to take all necessary measures to protect thepremises of the de
legation from all incursions and damage and to prevent all disruptions of the tranquillity of the delegation.The
premises of the delegation, articles of furniture, and other property of the delegation enjoy immunity from sea
rch,requisition, seizure, and executive actions.
In contemporary international law, it is universally recognized that inviolability of diplomatic premises does n
ot give the rightto grant asylum to individuals sought by the authorities of the country of residence. An import
ant element of diplomaticimmunity is the right of free communication with the delegation’s own government.
Personal privileges and immunities include the personal immunity and inviolability of the homes of diplomats
, immunity fromjurisdiction, customs privileges, and freedom from taxes and obligations. A diplomatic emplo
yee may not be arrested ordetained. The authorities of the state of residence must take all reasonable measures
to prevent any encroachment upon theperson, freedom, and dignity of a diplomat. The diplomat enjoys immu
nity from jurisdiction: he cannot be made answerablecriminally, administratively, or civilly (with certain exce
ptions) in the state of residence; he is not obligated to testify in court asa witness. Diplomats enjoy fiscal imm
unity: they are released from the payment of taxes and duties of every kind. Customsduties are not levied on t
he articles of personal consumption of a diplomat and his family, and the personal baggage of adiplomat is no
t subject to customs inspection.
Trade delegations and their employees also enjoy diplomatic immunity.
 As representatives of the United States to the countries where they serve, ambassadors promote
American interests to the world. While the popular imagery of diplomatic service may be filled
with receptions and cocktail parties, ambassadors are far from being social butterflies. They work
long hours in sometimes remote and dangerous locations. In an occasional crisis, the ambassador is
the point-man for America. Though the duties are numerous, the job does have perks.

Country Ambassadors

An ambassador is the highest-ranking representative of the United States to a foreign nation. Appointed by
the president with the advice and consent of the Senate, ambassadors are a source of guidance to the president
and the secretary of state in matters concerning their respective countries. Ambassadors have the
responsibility to protect and promote U.S. interests. They negotiate trade and other agreements with the host
country. They protect the legal interests of Americans traveling abroad. They cannot override a foreign
country's legal system, but they can make sure Americans receive all of the rights they are entitled to. An
ambassador directs all U.S. government employees, foreign service officers and representatives of American
agencies, but not military personnel.

Special Ambassadors

Though most ambassadors serve in specific countries, some have different responsibilities. The ambassador to
the United Nations represents U.S. interests to that world forum. As one of the permanent members of the
Security Council, the U.S., acting through its ambassador, can negotiate and veto resolutions. The ambassador
also works to force administrative changes and eliminate corruption. Other ambassadors represent the U.S. at
various international organizations such as NATO and the Organization of American States. Still others serve
at-large with worldwide responsibilities. Ambassadors-at-large for counterterrorism, religious freedom and to
monitor and combat trafficking are just several of the special-interest ambassadors who work to promote
freedom and other American values.

Goodwill Duties

Building goodwill with foreign nationals – both government and civilian – is an important part of an
ambassador's role. This role involves working with humanitarian, economic development and cultural
organizations. Entertaining dignitaries and members of nongovernmental organizations is a major part of this
responsibility. Even in countries where the United States is not viewed with warmth, American aid is always
accepted. It is the ambassador's responsibility to maximize the goodwill created. While approximately 30
percent of ambassador appointments are political patronage, celebrity ambassadors can be effective in
promoting better relations, cultural exchanges and improved social and economic conditions in developing
countries.

Benefits

Ambassadors enjoy many perks and benefits that come with their appointment. Ambassadors have paid staff,
free housing, bodyguards, and an automobile and driver. Those who serve in countries with a rich heritage –
Beijing, Paris or Rome, for example – can enjoy the exciting culture of those cities. Others who serve in less
cosmopolitan cities still enjoy the travel and cultural experience. To build personal connections with the host
country, ambassadors entertain frequently. Salaries are scaled to meet the education and experience of the
ambassador, and accompanied with free housing and an expense account. Other benefits include federal
health care and retirement plans. Additionally, diplomatic immunity protects the ambassador from an
inadvertent legal faux pas.