special feature | Ambassadors Directory
The Making of
an Ambassador
T
B Y A M B A S S A D O R P E T E R A . S E L F R I D G E , c h ief of proto c ol of t h e U n ited S tates
he presentation of credentials
ceremony at the White House is
one of the most important days in
the tenure of a chief diplomat posted to the
United States. Not only does this age-old
exercise allow the now fully accredited chiefs
of mission to exercises their full authority,
it is also marks the moment they attain
the full title of Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary – admittedly one of
the most impressive titles in a city full of
impressive titles.
Arriving at the White House
The first step in the highly choreographed
day is the arrival of the black, chauffeured sedan
transporting the ambassador and close family
members and proudly displaying the flags of
the United States and the dignitary’s home
country.
The vehicles are lined up in order of
precedence, an arrangement literally derived
from the diplomats’ arrival dates in Washington.
This is not as easy as it sounds. Just recently
we welcomed two ambassadors at the airport
both of whom deplaned the same aircraft
within minutes of one another. All envoys
must also possess all the proper credentialing
documentation, to include the Letter of
Credence signed by their head of state or
government, the Letter of Recall of their
predecessor (if applicable) and their written
remarks to the president of the United States.
The final precedence order is followed precisely
throughout the day, and there are never any
exceptions made based on the size or perceived
prominence of a country.
The official ceremony fittingly begins with a
slow procession through an honor cordon made
up of the five branches of military service. As
the vehicle approaches the diplomatic entrance
to the President’s residence, trumpets play
fanfares and the car comes to a halt between
54
Amb. Kadyr Toktogulov of Kyrgyzstan
U.S. soldiers in dress uniform, hoisting the
flags of the United States and the country of
the distinguished visitor. There, among these
amazing displays of honor and national pride,
I greet the ambassadors and their families and
welcome them into the White House.
Waiting for the big moment
In the Cabinet Room, the guests of honor are
invited to sign the President’s official guestbook.
From there, they are escorted into the Roosevelt
Room where all the credentialing ceremony
participants meet and mingle as they await their
credentialing with the President in the Oval
Office. The nervous energy is palpable as the
VIPs mingle with one another and get to know
some of their fellow diplomats, along with
senior members of the President’s staff.
Inside the Oval Office
The big moment arrives. The President is
ready to receive his important guests. My
staff again places the dignitaries in their order
of precedence. One by one, the ambassadors
and their eager families are led into the Oval
Office where I have the honor of introducing
them individually to President Obama.
After a warm welcome by the President, the
ambassadors present their credentials and the
President responds by presenting the
ambassador a welcome document in
return. Officially, only the President
may receive ambassadorial credentials
as stated in Article II, Section 3 of
the United States Constitution. After
the exchange of documents, official
photographs are taken in front of the
famous Resolute Desk to memorialize
the special moment.
After exchanging brief remarks, the
newly credentialed ambassadors and
their families have the opportunity
to engage in conversation with the
President. Often it is the younger
children who have the most confidence when
meeting the commander-in-chief. Sometimes
I am pre-empted in my introductions by these
youngest of diplomats as they step ahead first to
receive that famous warm handshake.
When the presentation of credentials has
concluded, the protocol officers lead the
newly minted ambassadors back to their
waiting vehicles and I head back to my office,
thankful for another successful ceremony
and for adding a new group of friends and
colleagues to the ever-impressive Washington
Diplomatic Corps.
Tips for Ambassadors presenting
Credentials
• Ambassadors should wear either business
attire or national dress. (Their families come
dressed to the nines!)
• Children should be prepared to respond
to questions from the President once in
the Oval Office … not that it takes a lot of
coaching.
• Reminders to bring credentialing
paperwork are frequent.
• Most of all, I tell them to relax and enjoy
the special day.
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
| OCTOBER
2015
| washingtonlife.com