Am I using this term correctly?

Question

Chargés d’affaires ad interim

I think it is like if an ambassador dies then until that person is replaced the head of the embassy is the Chargés d’affaires ad interim. Is that right? If not what is the title for the temporary head of an embassy in the event of an ambassadors death or some other event that leaves the position vaccant?

Answer 1

You are using the exact term. No doubt about it.

Answer 2

Got it.  There are two distinctions- one is the diplomatic term that the foreign country will use- "Charge d'Affairs" and the internal one that the Department of State uses for the same individual is "Deputy Chief of Mission." Whenever an embassy is accredited, someone has to be in charge. When the Ambassador is absent (vacation is more pleasant than death), the DCM takes over.  

But in the real world, there are a lot of people pulling the diplomatic strings from DC, too.

Answer 3

The is a difference between a Deputy Chief of Mission and a Charges d'Affaires. The DCM is basically the number two at the Embassy, the vice Ambassador, if you will. That person is not always a Charges d'Affaires. Only when the Ambassador leaves the country does the DCM take on the title of Charges d'Affaires. The rest of the time, they are only the DCM. Its not an internal vs external title - its a Ambassador in country vs Ambassador not in country title.

Answer 4

Seems to be.  The term, roughly translated (with my ba French) is "Affairs ruled by the interim (govt).  The interim is the temporary ruling party, so you seem right.