Attaché

The term Attaché is used for any diplomatic agent who does not fit in the standard diplomatic ranks, often because they are not members of the sending diplomatic service, and were therefore only "attached" to the diplomatic mission. The most frequent use is for military attaché’s, but the diplomatic title may be used for any specific individual or position as required. Since administrative and technical staff benefit from only limited diplomatic immunity, most support staff are attachés. Attachés are personnel assigned to the administrative staff of a mission. They serve under the authority of the Ambassador or other head of the diplomatic mission. Usually but not always, attachés are temporarily assigned personnel to a mission and often they have special responsibilities or expertise, specified by that field, such as:

• Cultural attaché
• Press attaché
• Labor attaché
• Defence attaché
• Marine attaché
• Science attaché
• Intelligence attaché