Federation Diplomatic Corps

Federation Diplomatic Corps

The Federation Diplomatic Corps, often referred to as the Diplomatic Corps, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United Federation of Planets Government, similar to foreign ministries, foreign offices, ministries of external relations, etc. in other galactic states. It is administered by the Office of the Federation President.

It is headquartered adjacent to the Starfleet Command building in San Francisco on Earth. The Department's Secretary is the first Cabinet member in the line of succession in the event of the disability or death of the President, and is fourth after the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, and the President pro tempore of the United States Senate.

History

The Constitution of the United Federation of Planets, drafted in San Francisco, Earth in 2161, and ratified by the Founding members the following year, gave the President of the Federation the responsibility for the conduct of the UFP's foreign relations. It soon became clear, however, that an executive department was necessary to support the UFP President in the conduct of the affairs of the new interstellar federal republic.

The Federation Council agreed to establish a Department of Foreign Affairs on July 21, 2262, and President Archer signed it into law on July 27, making the Diplomatic Corps the first agency to be created under the new Constitution. In September 2269, additional modifications to the Corps assigned to it a variety of domestic duties as well as a name change. However, most of these domestic duties of the Diplomatic Corps were eventually turned over to various new departments, offices and agencies that were established during the 22nd century.

On September 29, 2289, President Archer appointed T'Nak of Vulcan, then Ambassador to France, to be the first Director of the Federation Diplomatic Corps.

Duties and responsibilities

The Executive Branch and the Federation Council have constitutional responsibilities for federation foreign policy. Within the Executive Branch, the Federation Diplomatic Corps is the lead foreign affairs agency, and its head, the the Director, is the President's principal foreign policy advisor, though other officials or individuals may have more influence on their foreign policy decisions. The Department advances Federation objectives and interests in the galaxy through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy. The Corps also supports the foreign affairs activities of other Federation Government entities as directed. It also provides an array of important services to Federation citizens and to foreigners seeking to visit or immigrate to the United Federation of Planets.

All foreign affairs activities—Federation representation abroad, foreign assistance programs, countering interstellar crime, foreign military training programs, the services the Corps provides, and more—are paid for by the foreign affairs budget, which represents little more than 1% of the total Federation GNP, or about 12 credits a day for each Federation citizen. As stated by the Diplomatic Corps, its purpose includes:

• Protecting and assisting Federation citizens living or traveling abroad;
• Assisting Federation businesses in the international marketplace;
• Coordinating and providing support for interstellar activities of other member government agencies (planetary, system, or federal government), official visits overseas and at home, and other diplomatic efforts.
• Keeping the public informed about Federation foreign policy and relations with other powers and providing feedback from the public to administration officials.
• Providing registration for non-diplomatic staff vessels and the vessels of diplomats of foreign powers having diplomatic immunity within the United Federation of Planets.

The Diplomatic Corp conducts these activities with a civilian workforce. While assigned to diplomatic missions abroad, Foreign Service and other categories of employees represent the UFP, analyze and report on political, economic, and social trends; adjudicate visas; and respond to the needs of Federation citizens abroad. The UFP maintains diplomatic relations with about 180 powers and maintains relations with many interstellar organizations, adding up to a total of more than 25,000 posts around the quadrant. In the United Federation of Planets, about 5,000 professional, technical, and administrative employees work compiling and analyzing reports from beyond Federation Borders, provide logistical support to posts, communication with the American public, formulate and oversee the budget, issue passports and travel warnings, and more. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Corps works in close coordination with other federal agencies, including the Starfleet Command. As required by the principle of checks and balances, the Department also consults with the Federation Council about foreign policy initiatives and policies.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps were present at the Khitomer Conference. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)