The importance of diplomacy arises from the fact that most foreignpolicies are stated very generally, without spelling out measures forimplementation. A good diplomat must adapt such policy mandates to thecircumstances of the moment. Moreover, there are numerous occasionswhen the demands of a particular situation might justify an exception topolicy, and for this a state often relies on the wisdom of its diplomaticofficers in the field. Few governments pursue a perfectly consistent policythat is articulated with a single voice. It falls to the diplomats to reconcilethe competing voices and to give coherence, emphasis, and interpretationto their state’s foreign policy.