Diplomat Standing?

i have heard meny ways of becomeing a diplomat or of obtaining that standing i am interested in hearing what might be the safest and simplest way?

[fulltitle]

Without Prejudice.
One could become consul or honorary or for a country foreign to the United States. One could even become a full-fledged ambassador. But in any case, being a consul or diplomat might be what you call serious business and is probably not something you'd want to play or toy around with lightly.

[Shoonra]

Diplomatic immunity, such as it exists, requires that one be the authorized representative of a foreign country. Authorized means not only authorized by the foreign govt but also accepted as such by the US govt (US Const., Art. II, sec. 3). This acceptance is sometimes referred to by the French word agrement.

Simply calling yourself, or even having a foreign govt call you its ambassador doesn't get you diplomatic immunity in the US unless the US govt approves of you as the representative of the foreign govt. There have been instances where the US govt rejected some proposed ambassadors from foreign countries. As far as courts and law enforcement is concerned, the US Dept of State is The Final Authority on whether someone is a bona fide diplomat entitled to diplomatic immunity.

A foreign govt's ambassader to a third country is not necessarily entitled to diplomatic immunity while passing through the US. Nor is someone appointed by the US to represent this country in a foreign country entitled to any sort of immunity while he's here in his home country.

[Livefire]

If you have a tie to that nation, it could also be very rewarding.

[Livefire]

Shoonra,

Most cases that involve non acceptance of credentials or expulsion usually involve higher level diplomatic officers. Those are usually the result of political situations and/or suspected espionage and that sort of thing. I would think it would be rare to see such a thing happen with honorary consuls. They are usually citizens of the host nation that already enjoy a degree of respectability and prominence in the community.

I would also suggest that the motive for accepting such a position isnt so you can get diplomatic privilege/immunities, its to serve the peoples of that sending nation. For example, I lived in Germany for several years and have a working knowledge of the language, customs, and its government. I have an affinity for the people as well and would consider it a honor to be able to provide assistance to Germans living and working here in the US. That would, I think ,make me a better candidate as an honorary consul or vice consul than someone looking for diplomatic bennies.

The reasons that many countries, even major players like Germany use honorary consuls, is that it is extremely cost efficient compared to maintaining a full blown diplomatic corps like the US (US govt doesnt utilize them at all)

[Shoonra]

Consuls, particularly honorary ones, are a definite step lower on the ladder than ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives (consuls generally represent the business interets of a country).

The original question was about diplomatic service. We've seen in recent decades an enormous number of purely political appointments -- frequently some prominent member of the President's party who just lost an election. Sometimes a Very Big campaign contributor. As you might fear, these particular dignitaries are for cocktail party purposes, with the hard work being done by the regular State Dept staff.

Assuming you are not a millionaire or otherwise have special ties to the current President, I would suggest preparing for the diplomatic corps by obtaining a good education in some technology that is helpful in such work -- economics, international trade, for example. A grasp of several languages always helps. There are a number of major universities that have schools of foreign service that are intended just to prepare people for this sort of work.

[Livefire]

As to the original question, this is what noelbusiness84 may be referring to......No way would I suggest this one!

http://www.ptshamrock.com/dippp.html

But if one checks out the German example I used, you will see that honorary counsels are generally chosen from people of distinction that have ties to that nation....

http://www.germany.info/relaunch/inf...hicago/hc.html

It also states that they provide emergency help to nationals (which would appeal to me) and act as notary publics...not to be confused with a Notar which is by definition an attorney. No need to have a background in international studies since they dont issue visas or act on behalf of the Bundesrepublik in an official capacity.