Mr Artov: Who heads the American delegation at this G.A.?

Mr Briggs: This time it is a lady, an old friend of the President.

Mr Artov: Democrat or Republican?

Mr Briggs: Republican, of course. She is a professional diplomat. Do you have women-diplomat in your foreign service?

Mr Artov: Yes, we have. A woman-diplomat once headed our UN mission to the Geneva headquarters.

Mr Briggs: Are there any women-ambassadors?

Mr Artov: Not now. Prior and during the war Mrs Alexandra Kollontay was our ambassador in Sweden.

Mr Briggs: This is very interesting. Tell me about her.

Mr Artov: Mrs Kollontay was the first woman to become an accredited diplomat to a foreign country.

Mr Briggs: I guess she was a contemporary of Lenin?

Mr Artov: Yes, she was. Kollontay was an active revolutionary in tzarist Russia.

Mr Briggs: Did she take part in any international conferences?

Mr Artov: She conducted the Soviet-Finnish armistice in 1944.

Mr Briggs: We, in the States, too, have a couple of ladies occupying high posts in the State Department. I’m afraid they are not so prominent as Mrs Kollontay.

Mr Artov: If I am not mistaken, Mrs Lewis was US ambassador in Italy. Where is she now?

Mr Briggs: She has retired already.

Mr Artov: Since when?

Mr Briggs: Oh, years ago. The American permanent delegation to the UN is headed by a lady now.

Mr Artov: Mrs K.?

Mr Briggs: Yes, do you know her?

Mr Artov: Not personally. She seems to be very active, doesn’t she?

Mr Briggs: I think the State Department makes her that active. She is a well-educated person, though. She is an official who tries to do her best to carry out orders she gets from above.

Mr Artov: I should think so. One of the American newspapers called her “a militant lady”.

Mr Briggs: Our press writes a lot about her. The other day I read an article in the “Readers’ Digest” where she is considered to be “undiplomatic ambassador of the USA”.

Mr Artov: Not very complimentary. A diplomat should be diplomatic, at least to justify the name.

Mr Briggs: The break is over, let’s go to the Assembly Hall.

Mr Artov: Off we go, Briggs.

I. Hold a class discussion on the diplomatic aspect of the activity of the United Nations.

II. State the arguments (if any) for and against the employment of women as professional diplomats.

III. Summarize the conversation of the two diplomats in a talks of 5-minutes duration.

Operator: Foreign Office. Good morning. Can I help you?

Mr Orlov: I’d like to speak to Mr James Marsh, please. I think it’s extension forty-seven.

Operator: Who’s calling, please?

Mr Orlov: Mr Orlov.

Operator: Will you hold the line, please?

Mr Orlov: Yes, thank you.

Operator: You are through now, Mr Orlov.

Mr Marsh: Marsh speaking.

Mr Orlov: Good morning, Mr Marsh. Orlov calling.

Mr Marsh: Good morning. How have you been?

Mr Orlov: Very well, thank you. And I hope you are well too.

Mr Marsh: Yes, I’m fine, thank you.

Mr Orlov: I’m calling to invite you and your wife to the reception to be held on the occasion of our great national holiday, the 62nd Anniversary of the Great October Revolution. It will take place on November 7, at 6 p.m.

Mr Marsh: Thank you very much. I’m delighted to accept your invitation.

Mr Orlov: Good. I’ll get the invitation card in the mail late this afternoon then. I’m looking forward to seeing you. Good-bye.

Mr Marsh: Bye-bye, Mr Orlov.

Mr Serov: This is Mr Serov speaking.

Mr Weston: Good afternoon, Mr Serov. This is Weston.

Mr Serov: Hello, Mr Weston. What a surprise! I didn’t expect you to be back in London so soon.

Mr Weston: This time I’m here only on a short visit and I’d like very much to meet you. Could you join me for lunch, say, tomorrow?

Mr Serov: Thanks for your kind invitation but I’m afraid I’m booked up for tomorrow. Could you suggest an alternative date?

Mr Weston: Just a second. I’ll look at my schedule. Can we make it Friday, then?

Mr Serov: Yes, that’d be splendid.

Mr Weston: I’ll be in touch with you and let you know the place and time.

Mr Serov: Thank you for the invitation. Good-bye.

Mr Weston: See you on Friday.

Secretary: Hello.

Mr Stock: Good morning. I’d like to speak to Mr Baturin.

Secretary: Who’s calling, please?

Mr Stock: This is Mr Stock from Satre Ltd.

Secretary: Will you hold the line, please? I’ll see if Mr Baturin’s available. Mr Stock, Mr Baturin is on the other phone. Will you wait or call back?

Mr Stock: I’ll wait, thank you.

Secretary: Hello, Mr Stock. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I’m putting Mr Baturin on the line now.

Mr Baturin: Good morning, Mr Stock.

Mr Stock: Good morning, Mr Baturin. I believe you know that the International Motor Show at Earls Court is due to open on Wednesday, October 18. We would greatly appreciate it if you could come to Earls Court to attend the official opening. The Lada 1200 Saloon from Satre Motors will make its debut at this show.

Mr Baturin: Thank you very much for your kind invitation. But unfortunately I can’t accept it. I have an appointment. I think Mr Ozerov will be able to attend this function if you don’t mind.

Mr Stock: Oh, we will be happy to see Mr Ozerov. We are sending a Complimentary Ticket[2] for him by hand.

Mr Baturin: I wish you every success in your business. The Lada is really creating a great deal of interest wherever it is shown. I sincerely hope that selling Soviet cars in this country will be very profitable for you.

Mr Stock: Thank you for your kind wishes. Good-bye.

Mr Baturin: Bye-bye, Mr Stock.

Mr Hopkins: Hopkins speaking. Good afternoon.

Mr Zotov: Good afternoon. Zotov here. I’m so glad I got through at last. I tried to get you on the phone yesterday but you were out.

Mr Hopkins: Yes, I was away from London and returned this morning.

Mr Zotov: I know you are a ballet admirer. I’d like to invite you to Covent Garden. I guess you know the Bolshoi ballet is now in London and tomorrow they are performing “Spartacus”.

Mr Hopkins: Thank you very much. It’s very kind of you. I’ll gladly accept your invitation to see the fabulous Bolshoi ballet which commands the love and admiration of audiences all over the world.

Mr Zotov: Good. Incidentally the performance starts at 7.30 and runs three hours. Would you like me to call for you?