Diplomacy after Rupture: Interests Sections and Protecting Powers

Maintaining Contact after a Rupture

After diplomatic relations were broken, Cuba, Egypt, and Iraq maintained interests sections in Washington under the protection of third governments. These arrangements allowed officials to exchange messages, assist citizens, and protect diplomatic property. [1] [2] [3]

After the United States and Cuba broke relations in 1961, Switzerland represented American interests in Cuba and Czechoslovakia represented Cuban interests in the United States. In 1977, the two countries agreed to reciprocal interests sections staffed by their own diplomats. The Cuban section returned to the former embassy in Washington under Czechoslovak protection. [5] [1] [6]

Protecting Powers and the Terms of Access

Article 45 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations required protection of mission premises, property, and archives after a rupture or recall. It also permitted a sending government to entrust its interests to a third state acceptable to the receiving government. [4]

After Iraq’s 1967 rupture, Iraqi officials worked under India’s embassy in Washington, while Belgium and local employees initially looked after American interests in Baghdad. In 1972, Joseph Sisco argued for sending American officers back so Washington could obtain better political and economic information. Baghdad explained that matching the two Iraqi diplomats in Washington with two Americans in Baghdad would leave the rupture in force. [3] [8]

Messages, Consular Work, and Emergency Assistance

Egypt, then officially named the United Arab Republic, broke relations with Washington during the June 1967 war. Spain protected American interests in Cairo, and India provided the framework for the Egyptian section in Washington. On 2 May 1968, Ashraf Ghorbal delivered to Dean Rusk a letter written by President Gamal Abdel Nasser the previous day. Nasser thanked President Lyndon Johnson for supporting a Security Council resolution against an Israeli military parade in Jerusalem and urged further pressure for compliance. Rusk promised to transmit the letter, and Walt Rostow forwarded it to Johnson. [7] [2] [10]

During disturbances involving the American interests section in Havana in 1980, the Swiss ambassador asserted the section’s immunity and organized food and medicine for those sheltering there. [1]

Returning to Direct Relations

Egypt and the United States restored diplomatic relations in February 1974; Iraq and the United States did so in November 1984. The Cuban and American sections lasted until July 2015. Switzerland had taken over protection of Cuban interests in Washington from Czechoslovakia in 1991. [7] [9] [5]