Intel on the Unknown?!?

[Baron Munchausen]

Yes, this is one of the 'clunky' aspects of the diplomatic part of the game. You automatically gain 'diplomatic contact' with anyone once you meet them, and you must have diplomatic contact in order to cary out any intelligence operation. It would be much, much nicer if you had to take a few turns to establish diplomatic relations when you met a new empire, and if you could carry out intel vs. an 'unknown' empire that you don't have open relations with.