I think these are correct but would appreciate help with the parsing......
5a. To fail to understand is comprehended by diplomats (6) - CLOSED? It looks like LOSE (Fail) in CD (Corps Diplomatique) but if that's right I can't see a definition.
12d. Battle site partially cleared in old city for ugly skyscraper (11) - MONSTROSITY
14d. Roughly redesigned crease out of chalk (10) - CRETACEOUS (Of Chalk) I thought it was an anagram of CREASE OUT but I'm a C short, so...