University of Virginia Library

Protocol

Mr. Clement Conger presented a
fascinating description of the
mechanics of government protocol
Monday night. He showed how the
combined intricacies of timing,
precedence rules, spatial limitations,
etc. constantly challenge the
State Department in its production
and maintenance of a favorable
climate of diplomacy. His talk
entertained with several colorful
behind-the-scenes episodes that do
not show in the headlines, but the
humor cloaked a rather sobering
thought.

Mr. Conger pointed out that the
enormous weight of international
relations can often depend upon a
seemingly trivial detail that can
undermine years of careful work.
This is a bit frightening to consider.
For instance, it is striking how
much diplomatic business is conducted
at the state dinner table so
that even menus may take on
political implications.

Last year President Nixon gave
an American style dinner for
DeGaulle in Paris. The menu
included Idaho potatoes with
French sour cream and Russian
caviar. It caused DeGaulle to make
a humorous but politically ironic
remark. The rest of this particular
episode made a very funny story,
and, of course, one does not wish
to distort the picture, but one
cannot help but be the cynic and
wonder just how much of our
present world situation has been
the result, not of rational discourse
about the starving masses, but of
serving a favorite dish or diplomatic
indigestion.