Before the rulesofdiplomaticprecedencewere worked outin the earlysixteenthcentury, rivalambassadorsoftenfought forthe mosthonourableseatingpositionat a ceremony.
She became one of the first American women to serve in a major diplomatic position.
VOA: special.2010.08.08
It was what it appeared to be: a centrist and establishment-minded president nominating a centrist and establishment-minded academic to an important diplomaticposition where he would implement centrist and establishment-minded policy.
Although Netanyahu is touting Obama's new position as evidence of his own diplomatic prowess, the fact is that Obama's new position is both disingenuous and meaningless.
As for those non British nationals, who were resident in the UK before their detention, the Foreign Office said the government was "not in a position to provide consular or diplomatic assistance".