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11.2.3
11.2.4
make recommendations as to the minner of entering into normal government-to-government dealings. This is not a precise term of art and account may have to be taken of what the new regime itself thanks necessary to establish its international position. Often, it will mean acknowledgingarmal Note from the eyime which informs diplomatic missions of its composition. Until specific au murity is received from the FCO, Heads of Mission should not acknowledge such Notes or take an other action which might be interpreted as entering into 'normal government- to-government aralings'. They should not, for example, seek appointments with ministers or accept invitation to functions organised by the new regime.
Contact regarded is falling well short o. 'normal government-to-government dealings' would include:
contact at official level on routine business (eg consular and trade matters) or fur the protection of British nationals;
represe: tations on humanitarian grounds, delivered in a form and at a level which avoids implicit acknowledgement of the pretensions of the regime, eg by means of a third person demarche to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or by EC Heads of Mission in a personal capacit
Contacts in London
In London, contact with the mission of the State concerned after the establishment of a new regime by unconstitutional means is a matter for the appropriate geographical Department, in close consultation with Protocol and Conference Department, to decide and to recommend what dealings would be appropriate. They should also consider what advice if any, should be given to the Palace regarding Royal functions to which members of the mission concerned would otherwise be automatically invited.
11.3
11.3.1
DEALINGS AND CONTACT WITH REPRESENTATIVES IN THIRD COUNTRIES
The paragraphs which follow offer general guidance to Heads of Mission and their staffs on dealings and contact with representatives of the kind of State and entity described in para 11.1 whom they may encounter in other countries. These are not inflexible rules to be applied in every case: Posts may be given special instructions or dispensation; eg Missions accredited to multilateral organisations. In case of doub: they should consult the FCO geographical Department.
11.3.2 Generally, Briti in representatives should avoid taking any initiative in establishing official relations with such representatives, either by exchanging calls or in any other way. Any informal advance received should be met with the minimum response consistent with ordinary courtesy.
11.3.3
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An invitation Lom the government of the host country to attend an official function arranged specifically in onour of a representative in any of the categories listed in para 11.1 should be declined. Invit. tions to more general functions need not be declined simply because such representatives may be present, bu il a British representative unavoidably meets any of these representatives on such an occasion he or she should, whilst showing normal politeness, always bear in mind th· attitude of HMG towards the State or entity they represent.
11.3.4 Similarly, an witation from a diplomatic colleague to a function at which one of these representatives is a guest of honour should be declined, but not necessarily an invitation to a colleague's fun. tion at which the representative is merely one of the ordinary guests.
May 1981
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