Incidents involving diplomats have aroused widespread criticism. Some...like the storming of the U.S. embassy and hostage-taking in Tehran and the murder by shooting of a British policewoman from a window of the Libyan mission in London...have provoked major diplomatic crises. Together with other less serious provocations, like the flouting of traffic regulations and the non-prosecution of those caught stealing, these incidents recurrently fasten public attention on the question of immunity. Why, it is asked, should law-abiding citizens tolerate lawless behavior from those who can retreat into the sanctuary of an embassy?
Grant McClanahan explains why those engaged in the difficult, often risky tasks of diplomacy will insist that immu8nity is essential. He sets out the origins of the concept and discusses the legal and political rationale for the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations (1961) and on the Consular Relations (1963). He analyzes and illustrates the tensions that have affected immunity since the early 1960s and show how governments are reciprocally tightening its administration and enforcement to decrease the attendant diplomatic and political risks.
Mr. McClanahan served in the U.S. Dept. of State and Foreign Service, 1946-69, as chief political officer in Baghdad, first secretary in London, consul in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and, in Washington, officer in charge of Libyan, then Tunisian affairs.
Grant McClanahan explains why those engaged in the difficult, often risky tasks of diplomacy will insist that immu8nity is essential. He sets out the origins of the concept and discusses the legal and political rationale for the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations (1961) and on the Consular Relations (1963). He analyzes and illustrates the tensions that have affected immunity since the early 1960s and show how governments are reciprocally tightening its administration and enforcement to decrease the attendant diplomatic and political risks.
Mr. McClanahan served in the U.S. Dept. of State and Foreign Service, 1946-69, as chief political officer in Baghdad, first secretary in London, consul in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and, in Washington, officer in charge of Libyan, then Tunisian affairs.
