Please tell me what is Resident Ambassador?

Question

I understand the term more less, but would appreciate to read more about it. I am welcoming some links as well. Thank you!! :)

Answer 1

Quite simply, a Resident Ambassador is one who resides within the country to which he or she is accredited.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambassador

Edit:  Resident means the ambassador lives in the country to which he/she has jurisdiction.  For example, the US Resident Ambassador to Afghanistan is William Wood.  However, if he chose not to live in Afghanistan, for example, for security purposes, but he was still responsible as the US representative to Afghanistan, then he would be the Non-resident Ambassador.  That said, since it is most common for ambassadors to live in the countries for which they are responsible, the distinction between resident and non-resident is generally not used.

Answer 2

You see ambassador position is usually the highest position that a diplomat can be appointed to a country. In relationship between two countries, each side can agree to send which level of representatives for example; a consular level, a counsellor level, a minister level or an ambassador level. Each level of the representatives show the degree of relationship between the two countries, and each representative level has it limit of power of representation. A simple example would be that Consular level would only be able to do consular jobs; like, issuing Visas, passports, necessary legal works like marry people, reporting death and birth certificate, register and supervise education, etc; where by the Ambassador level (of the legation) can declare war, and consult with the highest level of the government (i.e. go talk to your President).

Now, not all country has established Embassy in every country they have relations at the Ambassadorial position. For example, a small nation like Monaco or Order of Malta, or Lichtenstein, although each country may establish relations at the highest level, which is Ambassadorial level, they may not establish Embassy there (although their diplomats would very much love to get posting there). In which cases, they would accredit their Ambassador in the near by or with strong relations or influence over that country to cover an extra country (or even many countries). Usually for example, the US Ambassador sent to France will also be accredited to Monaco, since France is making foreign policies for Monaco. This case the US Ambassador would be also Ambassador to Monaco but resident in Paris. Hence the term resident Ambassador is referring to him for France, but not Monaco. There are also cases of Ambassador who accredited to other countries but stationed at home office. For example, Thailand use to appointed Ambassador to Cambodia, but because the country was under fighting and under Khmer Rough at one time, the accredited Ambassador was stationed in Bangkok, this case he is not a resident Ambassador. There are also Ambassadors at large, who generally attached to the head office and not accredited to any country. These are usually newly promoted Ambassador, or Ambassador in waiting transiting from one post to another.

Hope that helps.