Roman Diary of A Christian Diplomat
however, that the appointment is coterminous with the term of the President. Many favorite businessmen of the chief executive were appointed ambassador-at-large. To this day, they still carry the title. Duties of an Ambassador As the highest-ranking representative of the president, the ambassador once accredited has to present his credentials to the leader of the host country in a formal ceremony. His credentials duly accepted, the ambassador can go about his work of relaying the policies and goals of his country to the host country and keeping abreast his president and the Department of Foreign Affairs of significant developments in the country of his assignment. The ambassador also represents his country at state functions of his host country and attends conferences. The primordial responsibility of an ambassador is to represent the interests of his country in his nation of assignment. These interests may differ in priorities over time in a rapidly changing international geopolitical setting, which can complicate the job of a chief of mission. Today in a world of volatile alliances and steady regionalization, a country’s interest may very well lie in solidarity with regional groupings rather than the bilateral ties that characterized the age of colonialism before World War II. Apart from keeping the home office informed of significant developments in the host country, the ambassador may be involved in negotiations, be these trade or security, and in crafting joint policy statements. The promotion of cultural ties with the host country is also an important task of an ambassador who must at all times do his level best to create goodwill by attending events and facilitating cultural exchanges. During my stint in Rome I was involved with negotiations regarding freedom flights for the national air carrier—the Philippine 6
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