View source for Imperial Diplomatic Corps

The '''Imperial Diplomatic Corps''' is the diplomatic body of the [[Empire]], and reports to the [[Imperial Senate]]. It operates Imperial embassies in foreign systems, including the [[Federation]] and the [[Alliance]].

Unlike other diplomatic organisations, the Imperial Diplomatic Corps is also vested with far-reaching, quasi-police powers too with jurisdiction throughout the Empire. The [[ambassador]]s are the visible members of the corps; high-ranking Imperial officials usually report directly to a specific [[senator]] with an interest in their area as well as the Senate. Each ambassador has a significant staff and budget to project Imperial influence. This staff is said to include secret agents that operate covertly within foreign states and [[corporations]].<ref name=":0">Tourist Spot 0234, "IDC - Keeping the Empire Safe"</ref>

== List of ambassadors ==
* [[Imogen Luciana]]<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f8eccd964813d010413e662 GalNet: Marlinist Refugees Flee to the Federation]</ref> - Imperial ambassador to the Federation
* Waite<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/03d95a9e71c8fbfee92e0e41f0e4648c456a2d72 GalNet: Alliance Shines Light on Prism Senator]</ref> - Former Imperial ambassador to the Federation; assigned to [[Earth]], [[Sol]]
* Laurentin Sharpe<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/6232fd9d6dbff26a14050bc4 GalNet: Arissa Convenes Key Imperial Figures]</ref> - Imperial senior ambassador to the Alliance
* [[Cuthrick Delaney]]<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5800adae9657ba04699912ec GalNet: Kahina Loren Stripped of her Rank]</ref> - Imperial ambassador to and steward of [[Prism]]

== Timeline ==
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26 OCT 3307
*The [[Marlinist Colonies]] have offered to provide help for [[Marlinist refugee crisis|political refugees]] who sought sanctuary in [[Alliance]] space. In 3306, the [[Empire]]'s security forces began arresting followers of [[Marlin Duval|Marlinism]], suspecting them of being linked to the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA]]. Many pro-republican Imperial citizens fled to the [[Federation]], but some set course for the Alliance instead. The situation has been highlighted by Prime Consul [[Kayode Tau]] of the [[Marlinist Consulate]]: "Having made a desperate journey for survival, over a million Marlinists are now dispersed across Alliance territory. Most are clustered in small groups, lacking basic supplies and facing extreme deprivation. Some Alliance systems have offered citizenship, but others are attempting to expel them as illegal immigrants. The Empire wishes to repatriate these people, which means harsh interrogation for some and lifelong persecution for others. I hope to negotiate with the Alliance to arrange an alternative – transportation to the Marlinist Colonies. There they will be welcomed into the democratic society established by their brethren." Ambassador [[Elijah Beck]], head of the [[Alliance Office of Diplomatic Relations]], has agreed to meet with Prime Consul Tau to examine solutions. The Imperial Diplomatic Corps officially refused an invitation to join this discussion.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/6177f01d6223d66b9439e86a GalNet: Alliance and Marlinists Address Refugee Crisis]</ref>
28 JUN 3307
*A proposal for the [[Empire]] to formally open diplomatic relations with the [[Marlinist Colonies]] has been made by [[Senator]] [[Lorcan Scordato]]. The eight systems are populated by ex-Imperial citizens who fled to avoid persecution for their beliefs in [[Marlinism]], which advocates democratic representation. Returning from a fact-finding mission to the colonies, Senator Scordato told the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]]: "The Marlinist community is primarily focused on peaceful co-existence alongside the Empire, rather than trying to reform the [[Republic of Achenar]]. And now that Minister [[Aaron Whyte]] speaks for the Neo-Marlinists, we have an opportunity to prevent further extremist actions via diplomacy." Although some senators agreed, others such as [[Denton Patreus]] stressed that "As a matter of honour and principle, the Empire does not negotiate with terrorists." Several [[News Feed|newsfeeds]] observed that both the [[Alliance]] and the [[Federation]] are looking into opening formal diplomatic channels with the Marlinist Colonies. Similar debates have occurred in the [[Alliance Assembly|Assembly]] and [[Federal Congress|Congress]] regarding the acceptance of an [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA]] political wing. First Minister [[Jenna Fairfax]] has repeated calls for the Marlinism Reformation Party to cease representing the Neo-Marlinist fringe. However, she also announced plans for a [[Marlinist Consulate|Marlinist equivalent]] to the Imperial Diplomatic Corps that would undertake ambassadorial duties.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/60d9d6e59dc3b21ecd5577f5 GalNet: Imperial Senate Considers Marlinist Diplomacy]</ref>
12 FEB 3307
*Delegations have been formed by the [[Empire]] and the [[Marlinist Colonies]] to take part in the forthcoming diplomatic conference. [[Emperor]] [[Arissa Lavigny-Duval]] will not attend in person, but will be directly represented by [[Chancellor]] [[Anders Blaine]]. During the conference, [[Senator]] [[Zemina Torval]] will temporarily assume chancellor duties and act as head of the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]]. In addition, Princess [[Aisling Duval]] and Senator [[Denton Patreus]] will be in attendance. They will be accompanied by experienced ambassadors from the Imperial Diplomatic Corps. The Marlinist Colonies have also finalised their delegation, which includes First Minister [[Jenna Fairfax]] and Minister [[Aaron Whyte]]. A spokesperson for the Marlinist Parliament said: "The [[Galactic Summit]] offers us an opportunity to engage with the Empire diplomatically, and we sincerely hope our voices will be heard. We also aim to establish mutually beneficial relations with other governments." There is widespread speculation on how the Empire will respond to political overtures from its own ex-citizens, who were persecuted for following the democratic ideology of [[Marlin Duval|Marlinism]]. However, most societies within the Marlinist Colonies still remain culturally Imperial in nature, despite their republican governance. The Galactic Summit is being hosted by [[Sirius Corporation]] and will officially commence on Thursday the 25th of February 3307.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/60267b6db273a60cc1714ce7 GalNet: Empire and Marlinists Prepare for Galactic Summit]</ref>
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== References ==
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[[ru:Дипломатический корпус Империи]]
[[Category:Empire]]
[[Category:Government agencies]]