Within the United States or within a territory or insular possession subject to the dominion of the United States depositions shall be taken before an officer authorized to administer oaths by the laws of the state of Washington or of the place where the examination is held; within a foreign country, depositions shall be taken before a secretary of an embassy or legation, consul general, vice consul or consular agent of the United States, or a person designated by the agency or agreed upon by the parties by stipulation in writing filed with the agency. Except by stipulation, no deposition shall be taken before a person who is a party or the privy of a party, or a privy of any counsel of a party, or who is financially interested in the proceedings.