When the Prussian minister to the holy see, Kurd von schloezer, complained in a report about his experience with a jour nalist,chancellor Otto von Bismarck answered on march 3,1887 that von schloezer's "experience with the 'new york-herald' has confirmed my conviction that one seldom gains something if one gets involved with journalists in a private discussion. I have established the rule for myself to nener receive these people without a tness. Otherwise one is completely helpless against their publications if they are biased in an undesirable or wrong way either because of lack of understanding or honesty". The chancellor's remarks sound somewhat outdated in these times when diplomats and journalists often work closely together. The chancellor's basic argument, however, still stands: if an ambassador or another diplomat is to be quoted in the pres it is crucial that he avoids misunderstanding and misrepresentations. a safe way for him to proceed is to ask the journalist to submit a questionnaire in advance. During the subsequent meeting, the journalist is handed the diplomat's answers in writing and allowed to add some questions orally. When a diplomat offers background information he must be sure that his wish to speak off the record is respected. It is, therefore, important that the public affairs officers know the journalists in town.