A diplomatic cable, also known as a diplomatic telegram (DipTel) or embassy cable, is a confidential text-based message exchanged between a

diplomatic mission A diplomatic mission or foreign mission is a group of people from a state or organization present in another state to represent the sending state or organization officially in the receiving or host state. In practice, the phrase usually denotes ...

, like an embassy or a consulate, and the foreign ministry of its parent country.Definition of "cable", A diplomatic cable is a type of dispatch. Other dispatches may be sent as physical documents in a diplomatic bag. The term ''cable'' derives from the time when the medium for such communications was telegraphs travelling along international

submarine communications cable A submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the seabed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea. The first submarine communications cables were laid beginning in the 1850s and car ...

s, though over time they have progressed into other formats and pathways. The term '' cablegram'' is also sometimes used. Due to the importance and sensitive nature of the subject matter, diplomatic cables are protected by the most elaborate security precautions to prevent unfettered access by the public or unauthorized interception by foreign governments. Generally digital in format, they are always encrypted, frequently by unbreakable one time pad ciphers using key material distributed using

diplomatic courier A diplomatic courier is an official who secures and transports diplomatic bags. Countries have utilized diplomatic couriers to handle important documents, artifacts and supplies between different countries since the 12th century. Following the ...

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Telegrams Diplomatic missions Diplomatic documents {{government-stub

See also

References