Attache

Summary of Attache

An officer of diplomatic rank, usually assigned to an embassy, but occasionally assigned to a consulate or other mission, for the purpose of studying a specialized area of interest about the country to which he is accredited and reporting to his home government. Very often, attaches are not career diplomats but are specialists from agencies of government other than the foreign ministry; for example, the Ministry of Trade may assign one of its trade specialists to an embassy abroad as commercial attaché for the purpose of studying the host country for export opportunities.

(Main Author: William J. Miller)

An Attaché’s Chauffeur: International Incident

In the book “International Incidents for Discussion in Conversation Classes”, in relation to this subject, L. Oppenheim wrote in 1909: In November, 1908, the driver to the Military Attaché at the United States Embassy was summoned at Huntingdon for driving a motor-car at Little Stukeley at a speed dangerous to the public, and which was stated to be 36 miles an hour. The solicitor for the defendant, who did not appear, claimed that he was exempt from proceedings such as these, but admitted that he was not in a position to prove it. A letter of explanation was read, which stated that it was very embarrassing to have a servant charged with an offence against English law, and asking that the charge be withdrawn. The bench decided to go on with the case, and imposed a fine of £12 and costs.

Homicide by an Attaché: International Incident

In the book “International Incidents for Discussion in Conversation Classes”, in relation to this subject, L. Oppenheim wrote in 1909: The attaché of an embassy in Paris during a dispute with his servant draws a revolver and shoots him dead. His government orders him home, but he refuses to obey, leaves the embassy, and settles down in Paris. Thereupon his government demands his extradition from France.

How would the case have to be decided if the murderer has fled to England and (1) his home state requires his extradition, (2) both France and his home state require his extradition?

Attaché

Embracing mainstream international law, this section on attaché explores the context, history and effect of the area of the law covered here.

Description of Attache

Resources

See Also

Resources

Further Reading

• The entry “attaché” in the Parry and Grant Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law (currently, the Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law, 2009), Oxford University Press