The new measures also extend to the roughly 2,000 diplomats assigned to United Nations missions, the source said.

One day his sister had brought him along, a lonely diplomat newly assigned to the Paris embassy, who needed a little orientation.

It is speculated that he may have been a Polish diplomat assigned to Russia.

But Mr. Kostunica has so far not replied to the entreaties of American diplomats assigned to set up a meeting.

Foreign diplomats assigned to monitor the conflict said they believed the Government was trying to clear ethnic Albanians from areas of military importance.

Foreign diplomats assigned to help resolve the conflict want the enclave back under Azerbaijani control with as much autonomy as possible.

Israel had urged that there be no limitation on the number of diplomats assigned to the offices, the official said.

Western diplomats assigned to the Vatican say world leaders who meet with the pope are clearly seeking to cast their concerns and deliberations in a high-minded light.

"They really don't want Christian martyrs," said a Western diplomat assigned to the Vatican.

In February, a diplomat assigned to the interests section was ordered expelled from the United States on espionage charges.