Ambassador-at-Large
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An ambassador-at-large is a diplomat of the highest rank or a minister who is accredited to represent his country internationally. Sometimes called "roving ambassador".
Unlike an ambassador-in-residence who is usually limited to a country and/or embassy, the ambassador-at-large is entrusted to operate in several usually neighbouring countries, a Region or sometimes a seat of international organizations like the United Nations and the European Union. In some cases an ambassador-at-Large may even be specifically assigned a role to advise and assist the State or government in particular issues. Historically, presidents or prime ministers have designated special diplomatic envoys for specific assignments, primarily overseas but sometimes also within the country as ambassadors-at-large.
An Ambassador at Large is a top diplomatic position which represents the State rather than government, however it often carries with it the status of a Minister.
[edit] United States Ambassadors-at-Large
The US President appointed the first official specifically to bear the title of ambassador-at-large on Mar 12, 1949, under the authority vested in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S Constitution to deal with specific foreign policy issues which have been frequently, but not always, spelled out in their commissions.
[edit] Some Ambassadors at Large
- H.E. Dame Nuala O'Loan [1], of Ireland. Roving Ambassador for Conflict Resolution and Special Envoy to Timor-Leste
- H.E. John V. Hanford [2], US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
- H.E. David Scheffer [3], US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crime Issues
- H.E. Strobe Talbot [4], US Ambassador-at-Large and Special Adviser to the Secretary on the New Independent States
- H.E. Dr Dumitru Ciausu [5], Romanian Ambassador-at-Large
- H.E. Dr Bishhma K. Agnihotri [6], India's Ambassador-at-Large for Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin
- H.E. Hussain Haqqani [7], Pakistani Ambassador-at-Large
- H.E. Hassan Abouyoub, Moroccan Ambassador-at-Large
- H.E. Mr. Petri Salo [8], Finland's Roving Ambassador for South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia).
Examples in the diplomatic corps of the US State Department include(d) :
- Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues
- Ambassador-at-Large for Counterterrorism
- Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
