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VOLUME 7 SECTION H
PROTOCOL
Where this position arises and where it is not practicable for the East German to be passed over altogether as Doyen in favour of the next senior Ambassador, essential Diplomatic Corps business should be conducted either through the medium of the senior Ambassador recognised by the whole Corps acting as Sub-Dean or, where this is not possible, by direct contact with the Protocol Depart- ment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(b) Relations between a United Kingdom Doyen and, eg an
East German representative
Where the British Representative is the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, he can assume the position of Doyen on the understanding, which he would make known, that there was a clear distinction between his capacity as Doyen of the Corps and that as the British Representative. As Doyen he would conduct the business of the Corps with impartiality and without regard to Her Majesty's Government's non-recognition as a government or state of any entity represented in the Corps. In this capacity he can communicate with representatives of the unrecognised regimes so long as such communi- cations give no recognition of Ambassadorial status to the persons concerned.
(3) This difference in attitude rests on the British Representative's ability in case (b) publicly to proclaim his views on the position of the Doyen of the Corps. In case (a) he is not able to do this.
(4) It is realised that in local conditions at certain posts it is not always practicable fully to apply these principles. In case of doubt in particular circumstances, guidance should be sought from the Protocol and Conference Department.
May 1971
149a
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