Diplomatic illnessis the practice amongstdiplomatsandgovernment ministersof feigningillness,or another debilitating condition, to avoid engaging in diplomatic or social engagements.[1]The excuse of ill-health is designed to avoid formally offending the host or other parties.[2][3]The term also refers to the period during which the "diplomatic illness" is claimed to persist.
GeneralJohn J. Pershing,on his return in 1926 from unsuccessful negotiations between Peru, Bolivia and Chile and suffering from ill-health, was stated by his critics to have a "diplomatic illness".[4]
During the Communist takeover inCzechoslovakiain 1948, foreign ministerJan Masarykwas thought to have a "diplomatic illness", as he stayed out of touch with many of his former foreign contacts.[5]
A temporary absence ofBosnian SerbleaderRatko Mladic,at a time in 1995 when Bosnian Serb forces were withdrawing near Sarajevo under an agreement withNATO,was ascribed by some sources to "diplomatic illness".[6]
