7

Since World War II, the representation of foreign interests has been a central feature of Swiss diplomacy. Being of service to the international community enhanced the value of Swiss neutrality. In 1971, the author was recruited to work as a diplomatic trainee for the service dealing with the double mandate given to Switzerland by India and Pakistan, at war over the independence of Bangladesh. As ambassador to Guatemala, thirteen years later, Berne had to approach the question from a different angle. Guatemala having broken off relations with Britain in 1981 after the independence of Belize, Switzerland was put in charge of British interests. The informal contacts leading to the renewal of full diplomatic relations in 1986, discreetly favored by the Swiss, were not exempt from some savory episodes.