Information culled from the bio-account of Couttre, a Flemish jewel-trader, about a Portuguese embassy to Siam.; Foreign Ministry of Thailand

Relatório de estágio de mestrado em Relações Internacionais; Este relatório reflete as atividades desenvolvidas no âmbito de um estágio curricular de 6 meses (Novembro 2013-Maio 2014) na Embaixada de Portugal no Luxemburgo, incidindo sobretudo no papel desta instituição no relacionamento bilateral, bem como na sua relação privilegiada com os atores presentes neste mercado, nomeadamente empresários portugueses e instituições luso-luxemburguesas, especialmente a Câmara de Comércio e Indústria Luso-Luxemburguesa e a Câmara de Comércio Luxemburguesa. Assim, explanarei alguns exemplos das diversas modalidades de diplomacia económica referentes ao estudo de caso. Neste contexto, somos conduzidos a refletir sobre a estratégia diplomática portuguesa, que desde 2006 conta com os escritórios da Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal (AICEP). Paralelamente, foram atribuídas pelo Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros (MNE) novas funções às Embaixadas e Consulados, resultantes da parceria com o Ministério da Economia. Estes, enquanto agentes de diplomacia económica, devem apoiar a internacionalização das empresas portuguesas, na generalidade de dimensão pequena e média, facilitando a sua entrada nos mercados externos...

Caption on verso reads: Aquilino Boyd with torn U.S. flag, front of U.S. Embassy; Numbering sequence contains gaps. Number ranges are as follows: 0; 13-39; 56-59; 62-65; 69; 72; 74; 76-77; 79-82.; Photographs mounted to yellow cardstock with numbers written on front.

The Pacific has always been an object of fantasy. The idealistic idea of the region can be easily found in literature and art, with painter P. Gauguin among the best example of this utopian vision. This vision remains in the minds of most Europeans; the Pacific is above all a good tourist destination. However, the Pacific is more than just a holiday attraction. The ancient culture of Indigenous people, the natural diversity, the resources of the Pacific Islands are attracting more and more scientists from all over the world. Consequently, the collaboration between scholars is increasingly an important component of Pacific studies. The embassy asked to focus the report on the cooperation between France and Australia in the Pacific studies and on ways to improve it. This cooperation is already well developed and brings many scholars from France and Australia to cooperate efficiently in developing common research. However, this cooperation has some disparities. They include neglect for the social sciences, a lack of an efficient communication tool and the problem of the language barrier. Thus there is cause for improvement, which will better the relationship between France and Australia in this field. The collaboration between France and Australia in the Pacific Studies is well developed in natural sciences. Research Centres in France (IFREMER...

This thesis examines the territorial, spatial, and political Gaps inherent in the Embassy as program and type. Located in Havana, the project transforms such Gaps into an architectural strategy for the Embassy of the 21st century. An Embassy serves a practical and symbolic purpose. It administrates Visa applications, at the same time representing a country’s culture and projecting its political power. In an Embassy one country’s sovereign territory is embedded in the physical territory of another, making the Embassy the spatial embodiment of a political boundary. The exterior is charged with the politics of the boundary while the space inside is a neutral limbo – a territorial and political Gap. The Embassy is sited in Havana. A politically isolated country, Cuba provides a fertile ground to explore the changing Cuban-American relations. There is now the political possibility for diplomatic interaction, but without an American Embassy in Cuba, there is no physical space for this exchange. An Embassy is needed to facilitate Cuban immigration while at the same time engaging a new diplomatic relationship between the two countries. The time is ripe for a new Embassy.

On September 11, 2012, the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was attacked, resulting in the death of four United States citizens, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens. Prior to Bengazi, the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG) held a total strength of about 1,400 Marines, of which 1,196 were Marine Corps Security Guards (MSG). In response to the deadly attack, Congress authorized 1,000 new MSGs through the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, creating additional protection for U.S. diplomatic facilities worldwide. This thesis examines the growth requirements needed to support MCESGs expansion demands to produce MSGs at maximum capacity in the coming three to four years. The study analyzes trainee demands, proposing a methodology to assist MCESG operation personnel plans for expansion and future force sustainment. The proposed methodology is founded on an Excel-based analytical approach that relies heavily on simulation and is interfaced through a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) UserForm. The model is easily manipulated, as operational needs dictate. Once developed, VBA UserForm is a simple and effective tool that can assist planners in standardizing procedures at the operational level. Research-based analysis indicates that the proposed methodology could yield significant savings in terms of manpower and training requirements for MCESG.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited; This project delivers an immediately implementable and replicable method for improving collaboration in this nation’s most complex interagency environment, the United States embassy (USEMB). This method allows multidisciplinary teams to create a self-organizing collaborative system in the country team to address difficult problems within the constraints of exiting manning, authorities, and appropriations. The modular and scalable methodology described in this project allows Special Operations Forces (SOF) teams working in embassies around the world to maximize their operational effectiveness by improving collaboration within the country team. The goal of this project is to move beyond policy debates regarding interagency collaboration and explain how SOF are capable of pioneering a responsive system to improve collaboration within the USEMB country team. Applying a design thinking methodology, we observed country team interactions and other interagency collaborative efforts to develop a concept for SOF augmentation teams to improve collaboration within the USEMB country team. We deliver guidelines and a methodology for SOF augmentation teams to facilitate the development of a collaborative country team capable of solving complex issues.

This report answers the question: “How can the U.S. Mission in Australia improve its engagement with Australian youth and alumni in order to enhance Australia’s perception of the United States and American culture?” It clearly outlines the history of the cultural relationship between the U.S. and Australia; the current methods by which the U.S. Mission attempts to engage its alumni and Australian youth; and the problems which it faces in doing so. It then goes on to use qualitative interviews of both Australian and American students who have partaken in an educational exchange, with questions focusing on cultural differences between Australia and the United States in order to elicit recurring topics of interest for such alumni. Using these interviews, the input of individuals with experience working on the educational relationship between the United States and Australia, and academic literature, the report goes on to make six recommendations: • Work more with Australian universities • Utilise high-profile personalities • Use communication technologies (including social media) more effectively • Attempt to implement American-style programs in Australia • Utilise U.S. Embassy/Mission’s prestige • Choose engaging topics for discussion

L-R: Tom Supple (Secretary, WWF Sydney Branch); Tas Bull (Acting General Secretary, WWF); Pat Geraghty (Federal Secretary, SUA); Rick Divers (President, WWF Sydney Branch); Nguyen Ngoc Sinh (Councillor, Vietnamese Embassy); Bob Galleghan (Federal Secretary, Federated Ship Painters & Dockers Union of Australia); John Garrett (Secretary, NSW Firemen’s and Deckhands’ Union); Harry Mitchell (Assistant Secretary, Miscellaneous Workers’ Union); Reproduced in Maritime Worker, Jun 1985

Free Trade Agreements are increasingly important in modern international trade. Estimates include that in the Asia-Pacific region alone, there are 40 such agreements in place currently, with 70 more under negotiation. Model provisions for FTAs are being developed by The Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation's Committee on Trade and Investment. Without such guidance each FTA tends to have different scope, terms, structure and outcomes; and there is a real danger that international trade is becoming more complex and costly for participants rather than "free". The Embassy for Chile in Australia has requested this report with the following objectives: (i) To be a useful reference guide as the first report summarising the eighteen available provisions; (ii) To offer a brief introduction to the purpose and content of each provision; (iii) To examine each provision from Chile's perspective: identifying areas where Chile's FTA policies are well-served, where they could be better-reflected, and where there may be conflicts. Chile's engagement with these provisions, despite their non-binding nature, is important as: (i) International trade is an important part of Chile's economy; and these model provisions are a way of Chile promoting its foreign trade policies to be incorporated into the models which will substantially influence APEC and non-APEC economies' future FTAs; (ii) These model provisions may be the starting point for a Free Trade Agreement of the Asia Pacific and if this occurs...

Public diplomacy is gaining international recognition as a necessary and important tool needed for nations to successfully pursue their political goals. But what is public diplomacy? Public diplomacy involves the transnational flow of ideas and the active engagement of both government and non-government actors in policy development. Public diplomacy can be used to influence governments through the public or merely as a way to influence the public in order to build broad national relationships. Public diplomacy can be effective because it supports traditional diplomacy, because of the message it delivers or through the context a message is delivered in. To be effective it is necessary for a government to clarify for themselves an understanding of public diplomacy that matches their goals and objectives. The growing importance of public diplomacy has been driven largely by globalisation and the increasing impact many non-government actors are having on policy development. Nations now recognise that in order for them to effectively pursue national interests many actors need to be incorporated into creating an enabling policy environment. Nations also realise that public diplomacy can have a positive effect on their reputation which has important political and economic ramifications. Public diplomacy is particularly important for small-medium sized nations who cannot match the military or political powers of larger nations. Because public diplomacy is a freely contested activity...

Culture is often regarded as desirable rather than essential in international relations. It is a common view that, while cultural diplomacy can help establish and support working relationships between countries, it is subordinate to laws, treaties, bilateral agreements and the military. There is a stark difference between the amount of attention and money given to cultural diplomacy and other more formal types of diplomacy. Historically, Argentina and Australia have engaged in modest levels of trade and political contact. This is the primary reason that cultural exchange has remained underdeveloped and overlooked between the two countries. It is only recently that international governments have seen the need to invest in cultural diplomacy as a means of nurturing international relationships. As a result, many of the cultural exchanges currently undertaken by the Argentine and Australian governments have a foundation of long established political collaboration. The domain of cultural diplomacy extends much further than exhibitions appearing in museums. It encompasses dance, food, theatre, cinema, visual art and music. This report, however, will concentrate on the importance of investing in museum exhibitions in cultivating and encouraging diplomatic relations. There are two ways in which international exhibits can appear in large Australian museums. The first is to arrange a cultural agreement between governments. This avenue is the most likely to succeed as the Australian government already has established trading links with Argentina and has allocated funds to dedicate to this process. The second is through an exchange between individual institutions. This possibility depends upon the relationship cultivated between individuals at either institution...

Cultural understanding between countries is a vital element of good international relationships. Using the arts to build cultural understanding has many advantages and is referred to as “cultural diplomacy”. The arts can signify the visual arts, performing arts and the culinary arts. Cross-cultural education is also included within the definition of cultural diplomacy and can refer to international student / academic exchange, academic collaboration between institutions as well as the academic study of a country's history, politics, arts and language. Latin American is an increasingly important region for Australia and the development of cultural understanding between our regions has become a priority of several Australian Government institutions. These agencies foster cooperation between Australia and Latin America in many ways, including business and trade, tourism, education and cultural promotion such as cultural diplomatic events. Examples of cultural diplomatic events within Australia can be recognised in the work of the Ecuadorian Embassy in Canberra. The Embassy is currently operating several cultural initiatives including visual art exhibitions, film festivals and musical performances. Australia and Ecuador are very different countries in a number of ways. Even our national languages are different...

Having only recently arrived in Australia, the new Chilean Ambassador to Australia, HE Mr Fernando Schmidt has expressed a desire to modernise the Embassy and enhance the presence of his mission within Australian. The creation of a new website was identified as a fundamental step in this process. Given that the overriding responsibility of the Embassy of Chile ties in the positive representation of Chile to Australia, it was decided that the website must address current political, economic and social developments within the Republic of Chile. Over the first four years of President Lagos' administration, democratic institutions have been strengthened while relations between the State and the armed forces have normalised. Lagos has confidently led Chile under a social development policy that emphasises equity, the creation of opportunity for all Chilean citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, and redress for the systematic human rights violations of previous administrations. In economic terms , Chile has exhibited considerable stability despite recent adverse international conditions, while GOP has risen 9 .3% since Lagos took office. International integration has also been at the forefront of Lagos' agenda, with successful negotiation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the European Union...

Argentina and Australia currently engage in a modest level of trade, mostly in goods and generally focused on primary and agricultural products. These products are derived from the nature of the two countries, both having relatively similar physical conditions. However, with finite resources constantly decreasing, it becomes necessary for a country to find alternative means of maintaining its international trade. One of the best ways a country can do this is to expand into the exportation of different services. Trade in services has a great potential which is only partially realised at any one time. The area grows as human innovation grows, with new services being marketed and traded constantly. The rise of technology has allowed not only for more technology based services (including from the research and development stage through to the sale and use of an item), but also for the faster and easier delivery of many existing services. The internet has virtually eliminated the cost of time taken to provide some services from a different continent, and new technology is improving transportation services all the time. This means that even where a service cannot be delivered electronically, the time and cost of travel is greatly reduced. Another benefit of services is that there are often multiple services involved in one transaction involving a singly physical item. Therefore the benefit derived from a single transaction is greater than where the interest is only in the transferred item. After emerging from a severe recession...

Australia's Embassy in Syria's capital of Damascus was closed in 1999 under the Howard Government. In order to explore the possibility of reopening the Embassy, there needs to be a clear understanding of Australian foreign policy and also of Syria's value to Australia. Decisions in Australian foreign policy are made by the Prime Minister. He is influenced however, to varying degrees, by Parliament, the media, lobby groups, industry, non-governmental organisations and the general public. The more economic and political power these groups possess, the more likely they are to influence foreign policy. Foreign policy priorities are quite vulnerable to changes in government and context. Just as foreign policies have transformed over time, over the next few years the Rudd government will develop a new foreign policy. The current policy priorities have been depicted by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith as constituting three pillars. The first pillar is Australia's alliance with the United States. The second pillar is Australia's membership of the United Nations. Finally, the third pillar is regional engagement in the Asia-Pacific. Syria occupies an interesting political position in relation to its region and to key powers such as the United States and Europe. Events of the recent past have resulted in Syria representing the Middle East as a state with a clear alliance with Iran...

This study was a qualitative investigation to ascertain and describe two of the current issues at the International Community School of Abidjan, examine their historical bases, and analyze their impact on the school environment.^ Two issues emerged during the inquiry phase of this study: (1) the relationship between local-hired and overseas-hired teachers in light of the January 1994 devaluation which polarized the staff by negating a four-year salary scale that established equity, (2) the school community's wide variance in the perceived power that the U.S. Embassy has on school operations based on its role as ICSA's founding sponsor.^ A multiple studies approach was used in gathering data. An extensive examination of the school's archives was used to reconstruct an historical overview of ICSA. An initial questionnaire was distributed to teachers and administrators at an educational conference to determine the scope of the 1994 devaluation of the West and Central African CFA and its impact on school personnel in West African American-sponsored overseas schools (ASOS). Personal interviews were conducted with the school staff, administration, school board members, and relevant historical participants to determine the principal issues at ICSA at that time. The researcher...

El Palacio de España, ubicado en la homónima plaza de Roma, ha pertenecido al Gobierno español desde mediados del siglo XVII hasta nuestros días, espacio de tiempo durante el que ha constituido la sede de la embajada ante la Santa Sede. Su arquitectura, de origen renacentista, sufrió importantes transformaciones a principios del siglo XIX, que han conformado su fisonomía actual. Tradicionalmente, la bibliografía atribuía dichas reformas al arquitecto catalán y protegido de Manuel Godoy, Antonio Celles, presente en Roma entre 1803 y 1815. En fechas recientes, la publicación de un plano de la fachada del palacio, de 1812, ha permitido conocer a su verdadero autor, el francés Adrien Pâris. Sin embargo, el deplorable estado de conservación de la embajada hacia 1814 obligó a Fernando VII a aprobar una serie de obras de rehabilitación dirigidas por Antonio Celles, completadas en los años siguientes por otros arquitectos italianos, como Giuseppe y Giuliano Camporese. Otros artistas españoles, como el pintor José de Madrazo o, posteriormente, el arquitecto Martín López Aguado, contribuyeron con sus exámenes e informes acerca del Palacio de España a que éste se fuera renovando durante la primera mitad del siglo XIX.; The Palazzo di Spagna...

U.S. media presented the Iranian hostage crisis as a decisive attack against America and therefore the American people. Initially, the media discussed only factual information on the crisis and referred to the players according to their occupation; however, every hostage soon appeared as a victim whose life hung in the balance of terrorists, led by a religious fanatic. No longer were the hostage takers viewed as students under the orders of a religious leader. The purpose behind the embassy takeover and atrocities committed under the U.S.-installed shah regime were never mentioned, at least in the U.S. media intended for the public eye. The absence of the other side’s perspective led to the formation of a unilateral opinion regarding the Iranian hostage crisis, the hostage takers, and the hostages; surely, it was a battle between good and evil forces. President Carter’s administration preached passivity; other politicians, such as former Texas Governor John Connally, devised daring rescue plans in an effort to gain political clout in a fragile America. No matter the course of action advised the victimized hostages had been the main concern and the loss of one life as a motive for war between the U.S. and Iran. Both countries publicly presented their own agendas with conflicting outcomes and neither country was willing to negotiate...

2 copies. Appreciates officials of Mexican Foreign Office taking time to attend opening of conference; purpose of conference to bring about uniformity of practice in U.S. diplomatic and consular establishments abroad; felt need too to become personally acquainted with principal officers serving in Mexico; in U.S. Foreign Service organization Embassy acts in supervisory capacity over consular establishments in order to aid State Department and lessen burden it bears; this is first conference of Foreign Service Officers held during wartime; is sure all feel increased sense of responsibility and will make every effort to meet demands made upon them; Foreign Service officers are charged with responsibility of improving and broadening relationships between U.S. and other countries; any solution to problems whether economic or political, must be equitable; must keep in mind mutuality of interests and aspirations; Foreign Service officers in Mexico must remember that this is a friendly country and that they have responsibilities to people among whom they work as well as to U.S.; it will usually work to mutual advantage of both countries.