Diplomatic rank
An ambassador (Latin: Legatus ) is a diplomatic representative of a State in another State. While until the end of World War II the Messenger often the head of mission of a diplomatic mission, the embassy was, today it is usually only a high degree of employee in a message. A mention is the Messenger in Art 14Vorlage: § § / Maintenance / ch- page paragraph 1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations ( WÜD ).
Minister in Antiquity and the Middle Ages
Messenger as official representatives of their rulers, there was already in antiquity. As early as the 5th century BC, the exchange of envoys should have taken a considerable extent among the Greek city-states. Initially they were only ad hoc, ie from a particular occasion for a particular purpose sent. After completion of the mission the envoy returned to the sending State.
With the Entertainment permanent diplomatic relations since the early 15th century it had become customary to send a representative with a permanent seat in the receiving State. This was due to the intensification of political relations, which could no longer be contacted only on special occasions appear sufficient. The Republic of Venice was built in the 16th century, permanent missions in Vienna, Paris, Madrid and Rome; from northern Italy, the constant diplomacy developed throughout Europe and eventually the world. One of the earliest detectable permanent envoys was Nicodemus dei Pontremoli, of about 20 years was a representative of the later Duke of Milan in Florence from 1446.
Change in meaning
The literal meaning of the Messenger has changed over time. It used to States not permitted below a certain rank to send an ambassador. They determined a messenger, who was then the highest diplomatic representative of the country in the receiving State. The Mission was in these cases, not message, but Legation.
To possessed 1805 in Paris, the Empire of Austria, the Batavian Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Sicily and the Ottoman Empire an embassy and an ambassador. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland also had but diplomatically represented entitled to establishment of an ambassador, was at that time in Paris.
The other States, such as the Electorate of Baden, the Electorate of Bavaria, Denmark, the Kingdom of Etruria, the Hesse- Darmstadt, Hesse- Kassel, the, Malta, the Ligurian Republic, Portugal, Prussia, the Principality of Regensburg, the Russian Empire, the Electorate of Saxony, Switzerland, Sweden, the Electorate of Württemberg and the United States were represented at that time only with an embassy, the (French often Envoyé Extraordinaire et Ministre Plénipotentiaire ) was led by a messenger.
Until the 19th century it remained a prerogative of the great powers ruled by a monarchy to exchange ambassadors. At the beginning of the reign of Queen Victoria in 1837, Britain had only ambassador in Vienna, St. Petersburg and Constantinople Opel. In 1862, the representative in Berlin, 1876 in Rome and 1877 in Madrid ambassadorial rank.
Later this practice was extended to the large republics. Prior to the posting of a British ambassador to Washington in 1893, the U.S. had in turn appointed no ambassador in ambassadorial rank, and were not receiving State for this.
By sending an ambassador instead of an ambassador significant honor of protocol were connected. In the 18th century it was at the court of Versailles common that ambassadors were allowed to sit for talks with the king and preserved to her hat. Envoys were against obliged to speak to the king standing with head uncovered.
Today's meaning
After the Second World War, all members of the international community has abandoned the distinction between missions and embassies in respect of Article 2 No. 1 of the Charter of the United Nations and the duties set out therein sovereign equality. Today, the law of exchange ambassadors from all countries of the world is claimed. Embassies have become rare. In Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein they no longer exist. The Art in 15Vorlage: § § / Maintenance / ch- page WÜD -called right of states to determine the rank of mission by an agreement ( either ambassador or envoy or charge d'affaires, see Art 14Vorlage: § § / Maintenance / ch- page WÜD ), therefore, has only theoretical significance today.
However, remains is the function of the Messenger as the ambassador of a subordinate employee of the high mission. In the German Foreign Service Messenger is often on larger messages a outranked the ambassador following official, usually the second man of the message. On very large messages also several ambassadors can be ordered. In addition to the Messenger (English Minister, French Ministre ) has another rank established in State practice, the in ranking, but the Counsellor projecting the Messenger: The Messenger Counsellor (English Minister - Counselor, French Ministre - Conseiller ).
Those referred to in Article 14 WÜD ambassador as head of mission, which, as the ambassador, authenticated to the head of state (Article 14 paragraph 1 letter a) and b ) WÜD ) during business support which is intended for mission chief, accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Article 14 paragraph 1 letter c ) WÜD ), there are only rare today.
Since all states basically want a exchange of ambassadors, is nevertheless made in the posting of only a Messenger ( or of a commercial carrier ) with the function of mission usually a foreign policy demonstration. The sending State may be out of tune or he wants the vacant post of ambassador for other reasons do not occupy the time being. The Messenger as scheduled Chief of Mission is in the minutes of the Group of Ambassadors and by the group of financial support, ( as depreciation or heads of mission ). The other ambassadors without management function are against them subordinated.