ABSTRACT
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 primarily consoli-
dated the practice of diplomats, which receiving States and sending States
developed over the centuries. From this standpoint, the Convention does not
provide any new information to the reader. The customary rules of diplomatic
practice have always provided guidance to States about issues relating to the
subject matters of the Convention. Indeed, the Preamble to the Convention
affirmed that:
``. . . the rules of customary international law should continue to govern
questions not expressly regulated by the provisions of the present Convention.''
