Chargé D'affaires

A (), plural ''chargés d'affaires'', often shortened to ''chargé'' (French) and sometimes in colloquial English to ''charge-D'', is a diplomat who serves as an embassy's chief of mission in the absence of the ambassador. The term is French for "person charged with business", meaning they are responsible for the duties of an ambassador. ''Chargé'' is masculine in gender; the feminine form is ''chargée d'affaires'' (pronounced the same way).

A ''chargé'' enjoys the same privileges and immunities as an ambassador under international law, and normally these extend to their aides as well. However, ''chargés d'affaires'' are outranked by ambassadors and have lower precedence at formal diplomatic events. In most cases, a diplomat serves as a ''chargé d'affaires'' on a temporary basis in the absence of the ambassador. In unusual situations, in cases where disputes between the two countries make it impossible or undesirable to send agents of a higher diplomatic rank, a ''chargé d'affaires'' may be appointed for an indefinite period.

Types of ''chargés''

''Chargés d'affaires'' ''ad interim'' ("a.i.") are those who temporarily head a diplomatic mission in the absence of the accredited head of that mission. It is usual to appoint a minister-counsellor, counsellor, or embassy secretary as ''chargé d'affaires'' ''ad interim'', and that person is presented to the foreign minister of the receiving state. By definition, ''chargés d'affaires'' ''ad interim'' do not possess diplomatic credentials.

''Chargés d'affaires'' ''en pied'' ("e.p.") are appointed to be permanent heads of mission, in cases where the two countries lack ambassadorial-level relations. They are appointed by letters of credence from the foreign minister of the sending state to the foreign minister of the receiving state. ''Chargés d'affaires'' ''en pied'' have precedence over ''chargés d'affaires'' ''ad interim'', but are outranked by ambassadors. They are sometimes referred to as ''chargés d'affaires'' ''ad hoc'' or ''en titre''.

Long-term ''chargé''-level relations

In certain cases, a ''chargé d'affaires'' may be appointed for long periods, such as when a mission is headed by a non-resident ambassador who is accredited to multiple countries. In addition, a mission may be downgraded from an ambassadorial to a ''chargé d'affaires'' level to show displeasure, yet avoid taking the extremely serious step of breaking diplomatic relations. For example, Saudi Arabia and Thailand did not exchange ambassadors between 1989 and 2022, due to the Blue Diamond Affair. The Holy See recalled the ambassador to Taipei right after United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 ceased to recognize the Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China, and thus ''chargé d'affaires'' becomes the most top-ranked de facto envoy to Taipei since then (the ambassador did not leave his position until 1979).

Sometimes when diplomatic recognition is extended to a new government, a ''chargé'' may be sent to immediately establish diplomatic representation. However, if a timely exchange of ambassadors does not take place, this may result in a prolonged period of ''chargé''-level relations. For example, the United Kingdom recognized the People's Republic of China in 1950 and posted a ''chargé d'affaires'' in the new capital of Beijing. However, China was unwilling to exchange ambassadors until the United Kingdom withdrew its consulate from Taipei. Sino-British relations were not upgraded to the ambassadorial level until 1972.

Since a ''chargé d'affaires'' presents his or her credentials to the foreign minister rather than the head of state, the appointment of a ''chargé'' may avoid a politically sensitive meeting that would imply approval or recognition of that head of state or government. Similarly, the receiving country may decline to receive an ambassador, but still maintain diplomatic relations by accepting a ''chargé''. For example, the Republic of Cyprus appoints a number of ''chargés d'affaires'' ''en pied'' to its embassies abroad.

History

In modern use, ''chargés d'affaires'' essentially differ from ambassadors in that, like all diplomats, ''chargés'' represent their nation, but unlike an ambassador, they are not personal representatives of their head of state. Apart from rank and precedence, ''chargés'' enjoy the same privileges and immunities as other diplomatic agents.

However, there have been rare historical circumstances in which the title ''chargé d'affaires'' was in fact employed in a more significant colonial role, as commonly held by a resident. Thus, in Annam- Tonkin (most of present Vietnam), the first French ''chargé d'affaires'' at Huế, the local ruler's capital, since 1875, one of them (three terms) was appointed the first resident-general on 11 June 1884, as they stopped being tributary to the Chinese Empire, less than a year after the 25 August 1883 French protectorates over Annam and Tonkin (central and northern regions).

In French, ''chargé d'affaires'' may be used outside diplomacy to designate an individual with some more or less temporary responsibility for a specific area of business, understood broadly.

Spelling and grammar

''Chargé d'affaires'' generally follows French usage: ''chargé d'affaires'' is singular, ''chargés d'affaires'' for plural. The ''"d'affaires"'' is always in the plural form, and should be lowercase even if ''Chargé'' is capitalized. Following the French declension, ''chargée d'affaires'' (with the feminine ending) may be seen where the ''chargé'' is female.

For temporary ''chargés'', ''ad interim'' may or may not be added depending on the context, but is always lower case; it may be italicized or shortened to simply a.i.

See also

* Ambassador
* Attaché
* Head of mission
* High Commissioner (Commonwealth)

References

Citations

General and cited references

*

eDiplomat.com: Glossary of Diplomatic Terms

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Diplomatic ranks