While public diplomacy has emerged as a critical element in the international activities of
many governments, not all states practice public diplomacy and the role of the diplomat as an
interlocutor between governments has not diminished. The emergence of public diplomacy does
not eliminate the importance of traditional diplomatic interactions. Much of modern diplomacy
occurs with cameras and microphones on, but the closed-door element of diplomacy remains
intact. The traditional role of the diplomat and the primacy on bilateral relations has not
decreased in importance; rather, this role has been supplemented by the needs of public diplomacy