The Ambassadors Directory: Your indispensable guide to Embassy Row
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Our exclusive guide to the Diplomatic Corps hen the Venetians sent the first permanent representatives to other capitals in the 1400s — had they but known it — they were laying the foundation for today’s vast global diplomatic network that underpins the international order. A network that continues to expand as new nations emerge and empires fragment into independent states. Of the 21 ambassadors who presented their credentials to President Barack Obama this summer, on July 30 and September 19, a third represented nations that had no embassy in Washington as recently as two decades ago. These included the ambassadors of Latvia and Tajikistan, both former components of the Soviet Union; Bosnia and Herzegovina, once part of a unified Yugoslavia; and the Slovak Republic, until 1993 the southern half of Czechoslovakia.
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Yet in some ways, it’s plus ça change in the diplomatic world, inasmuch as some key aspects of embassy business would be familiar to a 15th-century Venetian envoy. Ambassadors still march on their stomachs; receptions and dinners are a mainstay of diplomatic activity. The Venetians introduced cryptology to prevent spies from reading their communications before they reached home. Embassy couriers took a week to carry dispatches from Paris to Venice, with the ever-present danger of being intercepted en route and their messages falling into the wrong hands. Today, embassy computers deliver messages instantaneously, but as the U.S. State Department knows to its cost, the danger of interception is as real as ever. In the minds of many, a 17th-century English diplomat’s description of what an ambassador does still rings true. Sir Henry Wotton once described an ambassador as “an honest gentleman sent to lie abroad for the good of his country.” Sir Henry would have known. He was England’s ambassador to Venice for nearly 20 years.
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incoming envoys A few new faces on the diplomatic scene
President Barack Obama swears in Micronesian Amb. Asterio R. Takesy. All told 52 new diplomats, including those pictured below, have begun new postings, and 23 were recently sworn in. For those not pictured here, see shaded listings in the directory. (Photos courtesy of each embassy)
Mohammed Alhussaini Al Sharif Arab League
Elin Suleymanov azerbaijan
Nathalie Cely Ecuador
Andris Razans Latvia
Joseph Cole malta
Rudolf Simon Bekink Netherlands
Ashok Kumar Singapore
Jorge Arg眉ello Argentina
Felipe Bulnes chile
Claudio Bisogniero italy
Jeremiah Sulunteh Liberia
Asterio R. Takesy Micronesia
Sherry Rehman Pakistan
Ram贸n Gil-Casares SPAIN
Hans Peter Manz Austria
Petr Gandalovic Czech Republic
Stephen Vasciannie Jamaica
Jean- Louis Wolzfeld Luxembourg
Rachad Bouhlal Morocco
Mohamed Bin Abdulla Al-Rumaihi Qatar
Sir Peter Westmacott United Kingdom
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THeir Men (and women) in washington 46 men and six women join the ranks of the Embassy Row community By ROLAND FLAMINI
Amb. Ashok Kumar Mirpuri of Singapore and his wife Gouri
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A
n ambassador’s life tends to be divided into neat segments of about four years, each beginning with the ceremony of presenting credentials and ending with the nearchaos of packing up a household and wondering how on earth one managed to accumulate so much clutter in such a short time. Then it’s on to the next stop in the moving village that career diplomats inhabit until the day when — sadly the limousine waiting outside the conference hall or opera house is for someone else. This summer (in June and August) an exceptionally large group of new ambassadors presented their credentials to the president at the White House to begin what is reckoned one of the most challenging and hectic diplomatic appointments at any time, but especially in these days of economic and political anxiety. Ambassadors to Washington tend to be returnees — diplomats who have worked in their respective embassies here on their way up the ladder. But Ambassador Ashok Kumar Mirpuri of Singapore, who arrived with his wife in August, is a rare first-timer, with no previous experience of working in the United States. His prior ambassadorial posts were in Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia. “[Washington] is a power capital, and that’s a great challenge for any diplomat coming in,” he says.
More so in his case because: “Everything is new to me.” His highly popular predecessor, Chan Heng Chee, a fixture in Washington for 17 years, must surely be a hard act to follow, but Kumar sees that as a plus. “Ambassador Chan built a very, very good relationship with Washington, and all the doors are open; my job is to build on that,” Kumar says. An ambassador’s first job is to cultivate the bilateral relationship which Kumar characterizes as “not cordial, but good.” He calls America and China “two great powers misunderstanding each other” — which can be an irritant in U.S. dealings with other countries in the region. “But we have always been open with the United States about being engaged in Asia,” he says. Kumar wants to extend beyond the Beltway American public awareness of Singapore and all that it has to offer. “The government knows about Singapore, but the man in the street doesn’t. Singapore is a business incubator,” he explains, “but education, the arts and culture are different areas of the Singapore story.” By contrast, Spain’s ambassador, Ramon Gil-Casares, arrives already familiar with both New York and Washington, having spent part of his boyhood in the nation’s capital (his father was Spanish permanent representative to the Organization of American States). He served in the Spanish consulate in New York and worked briefly for the German Marshall Fund in Washington. Six years as senior foreign policy and defense adviser to Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar (a close Bush ally in the Iraq conflict) made him thoroughly familiar with
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Ambassador of Spain Ramon Gil-Casares
Ambassador of Morocco Mohamed Rachad Bouhlal
Washington’s complex power grid. He was most recently Spanish ambassador to South Africa, and then Sudan. The immediate challenge, Gil-Casares says, “is the fact that the U.S. is looking at Spain through the lens of the Eurocrisis, when there are still a lot of opportunities for cooperation.” His message to his American contacts is to broaden the narrative and “look beyond the [headline] story and pinpoint things to do together.” For example? Well, in business: there are still many Spanish firms investing in the United States. “In fact, there are more companies from Spain doing business in America than U.S. companies in Spain,” he notes. “They cover infrastructure, energy, management — Spanish trains are operating in the United States.” He wants to deepen contacts with the Hispanic and Spanish-American community. “There is an influential Hispanic leadership that was not there 20 years ago when I was in New York,” he says. “We obviously have more in common with this sector of the American population, and it’s easier for us as Spaniards to approach the United States through them.” A bachelor, Gil-Casares is the fourth ambassador to occupy the residence purpose-built by the Spanish architect Rafael Moneo. Another relatively new ambassador who wants to engage the diaspora is Mohamed Rachad Bouhlal of Morocco. “There are around 300,000 Moroccan-Americans,” Bouhal says. “I recently gave a lunch to get to know some of them from the greater Washington area; they were charming, very well educated, and among them there were
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18 Ph.D.s. They were so Moroccan, and at the same time so American.” Bouhlal succeeded another of Washington’s high-profile, socially prominent ambassadorial couples — Aziz and Maria Felice Mekouar. He says Mekouar left him his Rolodex and was generous with background information. “It helps a lot to meet the friends of a friend,” says Bouhlal, whose most recent post was Berlin, but who has also served as secretary general of Morocco’s ministry of foreign affairs. Another of Bouhlal’s projects is to oversee the construction of a new Moroccan embassy for which ground has already been broken. When the new building is complete he intends to convert the current embassy on 21st Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW into the embassy residence. The current residence in Potomac is gracious and imposing — but a bit of a schlep. Bouhlal is in the happy position of representing a country on the brighter side of the so-called Arab Spring. The kingdom has averted the violence that erupted elsewhere in the Arab world by introducing constitutional reform, re-defining the power of the monarch and creating an independent judiciary. “King Mohamed VI put himself at the head of the reforms,” Bouhlal says. “He’s tuned in to his generation. Yes we had protests, but to improve things, not to depose the regime.” In Sonia Merlyn Johnny’s first term as ambassador of the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia from 1997 to 2000, the burning issue was bananas. In her second term, it’s rum. “When I first became ambassador, the banana wars were the main problem, and I was lobbying on Capitol Hill for the poor
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Ambassador of Pakistan Shehrbano “Sherry” Rehman
banana farmers in our island,” Johnny recalled recently. In the 1990s, the European Union imposed tariffs on Caribbean bananas sold through major U.S. conglomerates like Chiquita, and that hit Saint Lucia farmers hard. The U.S. retaliated by imposing tariffs on certain European goods and took the case to the World Trade Organization, where a compromise was eventually worked out. Now Johnny wants to dissuade the Puerto Rican government from subsidizing local rum makers, giving them an unfair market advantage over Caribbean rum producers. “We are seeking to have a frank and open discussion on this problem with the Puerto Ricans,” she says. Johnny was one of two female chiefs of mission who presented their credentials on July 30. She is also her country’s representative to the Organization of American States (OAS). A graduate of Georgetown University Law School, and SAIS (Johns Hopkins University Nitze School of Advanced International Studies) her American husband is a USAID officer currently serving in Kosovo. On another level from bananas and rum, Johnny notes that Saint Lucia, as a signatory of the Caribbean Basic Security Initiative, receives “considerable U.S. support” in fighting drug trafficking and organized crime. And in July, Saint Lucia became the 100th nation to sign the Proliferation Security Initiative aimed at tracking down and blocking the illicit transfer of weapons of mass destruction. Oh, Saint Lucia has also just been voted the best honeymoon destination, she adds proudly.
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the voice of palestine The PLO’s resident spokesman lacks full diplomatic credentials but speaks effectively on behalf of his people By CHUCK CONCONI
M
aen Rashid Areikat, the chief representative of the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s (PLO) general delegation to the United States, says there is much greater understanding and sympathy for his people’s cause in this country than when he first arrived here in 1980. “It was tough to say you are a Palestinian then. It was a challenge to be understood,” he says. “That has changed.” Sitting at his desk in his new but not yet furnished office on Wisconsin Avenue in upper Georgetown, Areikat, who is the PLO’s official representative, says: “In the three years that I’ve been in Washington, I tell staff and friends that although we are not fully an embassy and the United States does not accept Palestine as a sovereign state, I feel equal to and just as important as many who are fully recognized.” Areikat, 52, is tall and imposing with graying hair and a degree of intensity about him.While not officially an ambassador because of the lingering Israel/Palestine conflict, he is a force in Washington nonetheless. He measures what he says carefully and isn’t as widely known as other envoys because he spends less time attending receptions and dinners and prefers to focus more on the political demands of his position. Areikat notes that he is becoming a more active player on the social scene because that is where so much business is conducted. His mission’s location “gives us independence,” he says, leaning forward on his desk to make a point. “We have control of the building and can host different activities here. This is an address for people who want to know more about us.” The four-story structure in Georgetown is much larger than the previous office
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in Dupont Circle where the PLO was Maen Rashid headquartered on one floor and the air Areikat was permeated by cooking odors from a nearby restaurant. The new headquarters is considerably larger and boasts an open expanse of space in the entrance area where it is possible to comfortably host receptions. At present, the room is empty and is devoid of furnishings except for large photos of the late Yasser Arafat and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. There is also a dramatic picture of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Areikat and his wife, Jumana, have been more active hosting social events in their McLean home where they live with their three sons: Rashid, 14; Saif, 12; and Amr, 8. Recently they held a dinner to honor legendary Washington journalist Helen Thomas, who is of Lebanese Rûm/Melkite descent.The couple also has held a number of receptions and dinners for the Palestinian-American community. Born in Jericho, Areikat has spent a considerable amount of time in the United States. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and his master’s in management from Western International University, also in Arizona. He completed a training course in good governance at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. His understanding of America fits in with his mission to promote “the just struggles” of Palestinians for independence and freedom. “I am in a country that represents independence
and freedom,” he explains. “I try to reach out to the Americans, whom I believe are very sympathetic people. And I think there is a profound acceptance of Palestinians’ rich culture and heritage here. I don’t fully blame U.S. officials or the media or anyone for being ignorant of the Palestine issue. The official positions taken by the United States do not reflect the sympathy and support among Americans for the Palestinian people. “Those who get to know us understand that we are a proud people, proud of our culture and of our heritage,” Areikat says. “They will realize when they meet us that we have the same objectives: living with dignity, aspiring to obtain a good education and to provide prosperity to all our families and country.”
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Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-238-6400
Armenia Tatoul Markarian Spouse: Anna Aghumina Embassy: 2225 R St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-319-1976 Ambassador:
y Susie Westmacott CIA Director David Petraeus with Lad tmacott and United Kingdom Amb. Sir Peter Wes
Australia
2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Fl., New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-750-8064
Eklil Hakimi Sultana Hakimi Embassy: 2341 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-483-6410 Residence: 3208 Cleveland Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Angola
Spouse:
Alberto do Carmo Bento Ribeiro Spouse: Maria Odete Ribeiro Embassy and residence: 2108 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-785-1156 Ambassador:
African Union Amina Salum Ali Ali Mansour Vuai Embassy: 2200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-293-8006 heAd of delegation: Spouse:
Albania Gilbert Galanxhi Etleva Galanxhi Embassy: 1312 18th St. NW, 4th Fl., 20036 Telephone: 202-223-4942
Antigua and Barbuda Deborah-Mae Lovell 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 Telephone: 202-362-5122 Residence: “The Elms,” 4040 52nd St. NW, 20016 Ambassador: Embassy:
Ambassador:
(The) Arab League
Spouse:
Ambassador: Mohammed Alhussaini Al Sharif Spouse: Iman Alhussaini Al Sharif Embassy: 1100 17th St. NW, Suite 620, 20036 Telephone: 202-2653210
Algeria Abdallah Baali Yasmina Baali Embassy: 2118 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-265-2800 Residence: “The Elms,” 4040 52nd St. NW, 20016 Ambassador: Spouse:
Argentina
Kim Beazley Susanna Annus Embassy: 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-797-3000 Residence: 3120 Cleveland Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Bangladesh Akramul Qader Rifat Sulpana Akram Embassy: 3510 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-244-0183 Residence: 4 Highboro Court, Bethesda, MD 20817 Ambassador: Spouse:
Austria Ambassador:
Hans Peter Manz
Embassy: 3524 International
Court NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-895-6700 Residence: 2419 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008
Barbados John Beale Leila Mol Beale Embassy: 2144 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-939-9200 Residence: 12 Farmington Court, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Ambassador:
Azerbaijan Elin Suleymanov Lala Abdurahimova Embassy: 2741 34th St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-337-3500 Residence: 4039 Highwood St. NW, 20007 Ambassador: Spouse:
Spouse:
Belarus Oleg Kravchenko Spouse: Marina Kravchenko Chargé D’Affaires:
Bahamas
Saudi Arabian Amb. Adel AlJubeir, Tom Donilon and Kuwaiti Amb. Sal em Al-Sabah
Jorge Argüello Spouse: Erika Grinberg Argüello
Andorra Narcis Casal De Fonsdeviela
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Houda Nonoo Salman Idafar Embassy: 3502 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-342-1111 Residence: 4646 Hawthorne Ln. NW, 20016
Ambassador
Ambassador:
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Bahrain Ambassador: Spouse:
Embassy:
Afganistan
Ambassador: Cornelius Alvin Smith Spouse: Clara Smith Embassy: 2220 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-319-2660 Residence: 5100 Warren Pl. NW, 20016
EMBASSY AND Residence:1600 New
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no Ambassador of Portugal Nu and tein rns Be Brito, Stuart Aziz Mekouar
Hampshire Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-244-4990 Residence: 10001 Bent Cross Dr., Potomac, MD 20854
Brazil Mauro Vieira 3006 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-238-2700 Residence: 3000 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008
Simeon Kirabisha 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 212, 20007 Telephone: 202-342-2574 Residence: 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 212, 20007 Spouse:
Embassy:
Ambassador: Embassy:
Brunei Darussalam Dato Yusoff bin Haji Abdul Hamid Spouse: Datin Mahani Abu Zar Embassy: 3520 International Court NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-237-1838 Ambassador:
Hortense Oguin 2124 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-232-6656 Residence: 2201 Sorrel Ave., Potomac, MD 20854 Spouse:
1619 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-986-1604 Residence: 4311 Embassy Park Dr., NW 20016 Embassy:
Belgium Jan Matthysen Spouse: Agnes Matthysen Embassy: 3330 Garfield St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-333-6900 Residence: 2300 Foxhall Rd. NW, 20007 Ambassador:
Belize Nestor Mendez Spouse: Elvira Mendez Embassy: 2535 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-9636 Residence: 1686 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA 22101 Ambassador:
Benin Dr. Cyrille S. Oguin Ambassador:
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Embassy:
bolivia
Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova Petrova Spouse: George Petrova Spouse: 1621 22nd St. NW, 20008 Spouse: 202-387-0174 Residence: 3516 Rittenhouse St. NW, 20015 Ambassador:
chargé d’affaires : Freddy Bersatti
Rosayda Bersatti 3014 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-483-4410 Residence: 3012 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Spouse:
Embassy:
Bosnia and Herzegovina Jadranka Negodic Embassy: 2109 E St. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-337-1500 Residence: 1508 22nd St. North, Arlington, VA 22209 Ambassador:
Botswana Tebelelo Seretse Kgosi Tholego Seretse Embassy: 1531-1533 New Ambassador: Spouse:
Burkina Faso Seydou Bouda Adele Bouda Zougmore Embassy: 2340 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-5577 Residence: 6338 16th St. NW, 20011 Ambassador:
Cambodia Hem Heng Savine Ek Embassy: 4530 16th St. NW, 20011 Telephone: 202-726-7824 Residence: 4500 16th St. NW, 20011 Ambassador: Spouse:
Cameroon Joseph Foe-Atangana Spouse: Veronique Foe Biloa Embassy: 1700 Wisconsin Ave NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-265-8790 Residence: 2825 Normanstone Dr. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Canada Gary Albert Doer Ginny Devine Embassy: 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 20001 Telephone: 202-682-1740 Residence: 2825 Rock Creek Dr. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Spouse:
burma Ambassador : Than Swe
Cape Verde Maria de Fátima Lima da Veiga Spouse: Manuel Veiga Embassy: 3415 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-965-6820 Ambassador:
Embassy: 2300 S St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-3344 Residence: 2223 R St. NW, 20008
Burundi Ambassador:
Angele
Niyuhire
Amb. of Canada Gary Doer and Sen. Susan Collins WA S H I N G T O N L I F E | O C T O B E R
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Residence: 6509 Kenhill Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817
Residence: 4871 Glenbrook
Congo, Democratic Republic Of
Central African Republic
Dr. Faida Mitifu Dr. Maurice Shalishali embassy and residence: 1736 M St. NW, Suite 601, 20036 Telephone: 202-234-7690 Ambassador: Spouse:
Stanislas Moussa-Kembe Embassy: 2704 Ontario Rd. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-483-7800 Residence: 1840 Redwood Terrace NW, 20012 Ambassador:
Congo, Republic Of Serge Mombouli Spouse: Stella Corine Mombouli Embassy: 1720 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-726-5500 Residence: 10809 Riverwood Dr., Potomac, MD 20854
Rd. NW, 20016
Cyprus Pavlos Anastasiades Maria Antonpoulou-Anastasiades Embassy: 2211 R St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-462-5772 Residence: 2346 S St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Ambassador:
Chad Maitine Daoumbe Naome Darkarim Embassy: 2401 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-652-1312 Residence: 16833 Harbor Town Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20905 Ambassador: Spouse:
Costa Rica Meta Shannon Figueres Spouse: Santiago Felipe Real de Azua Embassy: 2114 S St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-480-2200 Residence: 2324 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008
Felipe Bulnes Spouse: Monica Pellegrini Embassy: 1732 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-785-1746 Residence: 2305 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Côte d’Ivoire, republic of Daouda Diabaté Cecile Diabaté Embassy: 2424 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-797-0300 Residence: 5111 Broad Branch Rd. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
China
Spouse:
Zhang Yesui Chen Naiqing Embassy: 3505 International Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-495-2000 Residence: 2301 S St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Croatia
Colombia Carlos Alfredo Urrutia Valenzuela Embassy: 2118 Leroy Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-387-8338 Residence: 1520 20th St. NW, 20036
Comoros
Spouse:
Telephone:
202-588-5899
Kaambi Roubani Embassy: 420 E. 50th St., New York, NY 10022 Telephone: 212-750-1637 Ambassador:
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Czech Republic
Aníbal de Castro 1715 22nd St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-6280 Residence: 2930 Edgevale Terrace NW, 20008 Embassy:
Petr Gandalovic Pavlina Gandalovic Embassy: 3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-274-9100 Residence: 2612 Tilden St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
East Timor Constancio Pinto Gabriela Pinto Embassy: 4201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 504, 20008 Telephone: 202-966-3202 Residence: 1220 East West Hwy., Apt. 1522, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Ambassador: Spouse:
Denmark Peter Taksoe-Jensen Gitte Wallin Pedersen embassy and residence: 3200 Whitehaven St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-234-4300 Ambassador: Spouse:
Ecuador
Djibouti Roble Olhaye, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Spouse: Amina Farah Ahmed Olhaye Embassy: 1156 15th St. NW, Suite 515, 20005 Ambassador:
Nathalie Cely Suárez Alvaro Ivan Hernandez Embassy: 1050 30th St. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-465-8120 Residence: 2320 Bancroft Ambassador: Spouse:
Telephone:
202-331-0270 Residence: 10101 Sorrel Ave., Potomac, MD 20854
Rosa Djalal and Indonesian Amb. Dino Djalal
Ambassador:
Ambassador:
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Jisko Paro Jasna Paro Embassy: 2343 Massachusetts Russian Ave. NW, Amb. Sergey Suite F13, Kislyak with 20008
Dominican Republic Ambassador:
Ambassador:
Chile
Ambassador: Hubert John Charles Spouse: Sylvia Charles Embassy: 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 Telephone: 202-364-6781 Residence: 17639 Charity Lane, Germantown, MD 20874
2012
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Dominica
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
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AMBASSADORS’ WIVES PLAY A KEY ROLE Responsibility, charm and discretion – but no pay B y roland flamini
“I
n the first year I went to everything I was invited to, and it was exhausting,” recalls Veronica Sarukhan. “But after that first year, you become more selective about which invitations to accept. It’s a learning curve.” Sarukhan is not by nature a compulsive partygoer, but social activity is a key component of her job as the unpaid, senior volunteer at the Embassy of Mexico in Washington. In other words, she’s the wife of Mexico’s long-time ambassador, Arturo Sarukhan. Much has changed in the diplomatic community but not the role of the ambassador’s wife, which remains as important, complicated, undefined, and often unappreciated as it has always been. Consider this: A newly appointed ambassador can expect to be thoroughly briefed by his government prior to taking up a new foreign posting; but for his spouse, it’s like walking into an unfamiliar room and having to find the light switch in the dark. Most ambassadors’ wives “learn the job as they go along,” Mary Mel French, President Bill Clinton’s former chief of protocol, wrote in her book “Conduct of Diplomacy.” They rely “on their own wits and good judgment.” It’s most challenging for first-timers, but a new posting tests even experienced professionals. “You’re literally thrown in the deep end, and you don’t know what to expect,” Yvonne Moore, wife of New Zealand Ambassador Mike Moore, comments about arriving in Washington, her first-ever embassy posting. In due course, she says, “you learn to pace yourself.” But Rima Al-Sabah, wife of Kuwaiti
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Ambassador Rima AlSalem AbdulSabah, wife lah Jaber Alof Kuwaiti Amb. Salem Sabah, recalling Al-Sabah her arrival in the Distr ict shortly before 9/11, says, “We were familiar with diplomatic life and with living in the United States, but my first year in Wa s h i n g t o n was a whirl of meeting new people, both Americans and other foreign diplomats, getting our children settled into school and making a comfortable home for our family.” For a job requiring no formal preparation, acquired through the happenstance of marriage, and offering no remuneration, the list of responsibilities is daunting: support a busy husband with a high-caliber, politically sensitive assignment; manage a large household with a sizeable staff (a newly arrived ambassador’s wife recently had to discharge the chef, and her personal staff and bring in a new team); plan and be hostess at formal dinners and large receptions; remember everyone’s name; have your president or king as a house guest; entertain the head of state of the host country — and if possible get chummy with his wife; deliver the occasional speech standing in for your husband; and, of course, raise a
Veronica Sarukhan and Mexican Amb. Arturo Sarukhan
family, perhaps even increasing it while on the job; and possess an iron constitution. Moore says Washington is known in diplomatic circles as “the 40-pound posting.” Why? “On average that’s the extra weight you can expect to put on” from its relentless social whirl.
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“This was not a social whirl for its own sake,” wrote former British ambassador Sir Christopher Mayer (of fond memory) in his memoir, “D.C. Confidential.” “It was a means of meeting as many movers and shakers as possible, as rapidly as possible. The higher the quality of your contacts — your network — the more effectively you can operate in Washington.” Few hostesses reflect this job description better than Al-Sabah, whom Politico called “arguably D.C.’s most popular hostess.” When the Al-Sabahs received President George W. Bush and wife Laura at their residence it was a coup. American presidents very rarely set foot in a Washington embassy, firstly to avoid showing favoritism, but also because they would in effect be stepping on foreign soil, embassies being extra-territorial. Sarukhan has traveled to Mexico with both Laura Bush and Michelle Obama. “President and Mrs. Obama know me by first name,” she says. “And so did the Bushes.” It’s impossible, she says, to be blasé about the experience, and she keeps boxes of souvenirs and mementos from her Washington posting with her husband “for my daughters, when they grow up.” One way in which the diplomatic comYvonne Moore, wife of ambassador of New Zealand Mike Moore
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munity has changed is the growing number of female ambassadors. The result is more male spouses, but, with few exceptions, they tend to stay at home to pursue their own careers. Ambassadors’ wives who have professions of their own, on the other hand, often put them on hold to be with their husbands. Back home in Indonesia for example, Rosa Rai Djalai, wife of Ambassador Dino Patti Djalai, is a dentist; she trained at Columbia University. But her practice was left behind when she moved to Washington. All of which unfolds in an environment that is something of a gilded cage. For instance, in the course of a year, as many as 5,000 guests will have been entertained by the ambassador and his wife in the “public” salons of the British Embassy residence. The range and variety of visitors is remarkable. In June, Sophie L’Hélias Delattre, the French ambassador’s wife, acted as guide for a group of children from a Capitol Hill Montessori school when they visited the embassy. Earlier this year, the Moores hosted a group of students from New Zealand who were finalists in an international problemsolving competition. Their project was entitled, “Why We Need Bees.” But many social events in any embassy are fundraisers for the many Washington charities and foundations that besiege ambassadors and their wives to act as hosts, particularly in the larger embassies. The demand can be overwhelming, AlSabah says, “and it’s never easy to choose. Generally, my husband and I try to choose a cause that speaks to the heart, situations where a million dollars can make a difference.” Adds Sarukhan: “A lot of our charity events have
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Sophie L’Hélias-Delattre and Amb. of France François Delattre and
to do with Mexico, or Latin America or the Hispanic community — that’s a no-brainer — but some of it is also personal.” Perhaps one of the biggest tests of will is to be at the heart of a community marinated in political gossip and not join in — at least in public. Discretion is supposed to be second nature to these wives. The video made by the spouses of the British and German ambassador to the U.N. addressed to the English wife of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, urging her to use her influence to halt the violence in Syria is an extremely rare breakout of the mold. “I cheered their nerve quietly, but at the same time I hope it doesn’t become a trend,” reflects one ambassador’s wife who prefers to remain anonymous. And in a more general comment, not related to the tape, Al-Sabah says, “I have no wish to confuse matters by offering personal opinions on political issues.” That, she explains “is for my husband to do.”
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Placido Domingo, Susan Lehrman and Amb. of China Zhang Yesui
Pl. NW, 20008
Egypt Mohamed Mostafa Mohamed Tawfik Embassy: 3521 International Court NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-895-5400 Residence: 2301 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
El Salvador Francisco Roberto Altschul Fuentes Spouse: Melinda Delashmutt Altschul Embassy: 1400 16th St. NW, Suite 100, 20036 Telephone: 202-265-9671 Residence: 5171 Macomb St. NW, 20016 Ambassador:
Equatorial Guinea Ambassador: Purificación Angue Ondo
2020 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-518-5700 Residence: 4044 27th St., Arlington, VA 22207 Embassy:
Eritrea Ghimai Ghebrmariam Azeb Ghebremariam Embassy: 1708 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-319-1991 Residence: 7127 16th St. NW, 20012
Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-364-1200 Residence: 2209 Wyoming Ave., NW 20008
European Union João Vale de Almeida Spouse: Ana Jara de Carvalho Embassy: 2175 K St. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-862-9500 Residence: 2534 Belmont Rd. NW, 20008 head of delegation:
Ambassador: Spouse:
Estonia Marina Kaljurand Spouse: Kalle Kaljurand Embassy: 2131 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-588-0101 Residence: 3633 Albemarle St. NW, 20008
Fiji Winston Thompson Spouse: Queenie Thompson Embassy: 2000 M St. NW, Suite 710, 20036 Telephone: 202-466-8320 Residence: 1435 Carrington Ridge Lane, Vienna, VA 22182 Ambassador:
Ambassador:
Ethiopia Girma Birru Embassy: 3506 International Ambassador:
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1941 Westchester Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20902
France François Delattre Sophie l’Helias-Delattre Embassy: 4101 Reservoir Rd. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-944-6000 Residence: 2221 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Georgia
Spouse:
Temuri Yakaboshvili Yana Framer Embassy: 2209 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-387-2390 Residence: 2807 Chesterfield Place NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Gabon
Michael Moussa-Adamo Brigitte Moussa-Adamo Embassy: 2034 20th Amb. of Liechtenstein St. NW, 20009 Claudia Fritsche and Ambassador:
Germany
Spouse:
Telephone:
Dennis Wholey
202-797-1000 Residence: 1630 Connecticut Ave. NW, 20009
Gambia Alieu Momodou Ngum Spouse: Aminatta Ngum Embassy: 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 240, 20007 Ambassador:
Finland Ambassador: Ritva Koukku-Ronde Spouse: Hidde Ronde Embassy: 3301 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-298-5800 Residence: 3001 Woodland Dr. NW, 20008
Telephone:
202-785-1379 Residence:
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Peter Ammon Marliese Heimann-Ammon Embassy: 2300 M St. NW #3, 20037 Telephone: 202-298-4000 Residence: 1800 Foxhall Rd. NW, 20007 Ambassador: Spouse:
Ghana
Ambassador: Francisco Villagrán de León Spouse: Donna Sue Eberwine Villagrán Embassy: 2220 R St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-745-4953 Residence: 2839 Woodland Dr. NW, 20008
Nuncio: Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano Embassy and Residence: 3339 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-333-7121
Daniel Ohene Agyekum Spouse: Rose Ohene Agyekum Embassy: 3512 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-686-4520
Greece Christos Panagopoulos 2217 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-939-1300 Residence: 4740 Foxhall Crescent NW, 20007
Guinea Blaise Cherif Cecile Cherif Embassy: 2112 Leroy Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-986-4300 Residence: 2948 Edgevale Terrace NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Honduras Jorge Ramon Hernandez-Alcerro Spouse: Mariza Veiga Embassy: 3007 Tilden St. NW, Suite #4M, 20008 Telephone: 202-966-2604 Residence: 5312 Portsmouth Rd., Bethesda, MD 20816
Ambassador: Embassy:
Grenada
Guyana Bayney Karran Spouse: Donna Karran Embassy: 2490 Tracy Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-265-6900 Ambassador:
Haiti
Gillian Margaret Susan Bristol Embassy: 1701 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-265-2561
Paul Altidor Spouse: Meghan Altidor Embassy: 2311 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-4090
Ambassador:
Ambassador:
Guatemala
The Holy See
India Nirupama Rao Sudhakar Rao Embassy: 2107 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-939-7000 Residence: 2700 Macomb St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Ambassador:
Ambassador:
Residence: 2443 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008
Hungary Gyorgy Szapary 3910 Shoemaker St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-362-6730 Residence: 2215 30th St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:
Indonesia Dino Patti Djalal Rosa Rai Djalal Embassy: 2020 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-775-5200 Residence: 2700 Tilden Lane NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Iraq Jabir Habeb Jabir 3421 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-483-7500
Ambassador:
Iceland Ambassador: Gutmundur Arni Stefanffon Spouse: Jona Dora Karlsdottir Embassy: House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Suite 509 Telephone: 202-265-6653
Embassy:
Ireland Michael Collins Marie Collins
Ambassador: Spouse:
Amb. of Ireland Michael Collins, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Maria Collins with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the ambassador’s residence (Photo by Niall Carson PA Wire/Press Association via AP Images)
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Residence:
Kosovo Akan Ismaili Fitore Ismaili Embassy: 1101 30th St. NW, Suite 330/340, 20007 Telephone: 202-380-3581 Ambassador: Spouse:
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan Muktar Djumaliev Spouse: Afel Akeneeva Embassy: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-449-9822 Residence: 4101 33rd Rd., Arlington, VA 22207 Ambassador:
2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-462-3939 Residence: 2244 S St. NW, 20008 Embassy:
Israel Michael B. Oren Sally Oren Embassy: 3514 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-364-5500
Yoriko Fujisaki Embassy: 2520 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-238-6700 Residence: 4000 Nebraska Ave. NW, 20016 Spouse:
Ambassador: Spouse:
Italy Claudio Bisogniero Laura Denise Noce Benigni Olivieri Bisogniero Embassy: 3000 Whitehaven St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-612-4400 Residence: “Villa Firenze,� 2800 Albemarle St. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Jordan Dr. Alia Hatoug-Bouran Spouse: Ishaq Bouran Embassy: 3504 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-966-2664 Residence: 2456 Tracy Pl. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Spouse:
Jamaica Stephen Vasciannie Lisa Vasciannie Embassy: 1520 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-452-0660 Ambassador: Spouse:
Japan Ambassador:
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Ichiro Fujisaki
Kazakhstan Erlan A. Idrissov Nurilla A. Idrissova Embassy: 1401 16th St. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-232-5488 Residence: 2910 Edgevale Terrace NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Latvia Andris Razans 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-328-2840 Ambassador: Embassy:
Lebanon
Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Spouse: Rima Al-Sabah embassy and residence: 2940 Tilden St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-966-0702 Ambassador:
Jane Cafritz and Amb. of Hungary Gyorgy Szapary
2222 S St. NW, 20008
Laos Seng Soukhathivong Somdy Soukhathivong Embassy: 2222 S St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-6416 Ambassador: Spouse:
Antoine Chedid Nicole Chedid Embassy: 2560 28th St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-939-6300 Residence: 2841 McGill Terrace NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Lesotho Eliachim Molapi Sebatane Spouse: Lois Anne Sebatane Embassy: 2511 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-797-5533 Residence: 7013 Loch Lomond Dr., Bethesda, MD 20817 Ambassador:
Liberia Ambassador:
Jeremiah Sulunteh Spouse:
Amb. of Belgium Jan Matthysen and Angnes Aerts
Kenya Elkanah Odembo Absalom Spouse: Aoko-Midiwo-Odembo Embassy: 2249 R St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-387-6101 Residence: 10201 Serrel Ave., Potomac, MD 20854 Ambassador:
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Kabeh Sulunteh Embassy: 5201 16th St. NW, 20011 Telephone: 202-723-0437
Libya Ali Suleiman Aujali Naima M. Bseikri Embassy: 2600 Virginia Ave. NW, Suite 705, 20037 Telephone: 202-944-9601 Residence: 2201 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Liechtenstein Claudia Fritsche 2900 K St. NW, Suite 602-B, 20007 Telephone: 202-331-0590 Ambassador:
Chargé D’AffaireS: Ahmed Sareer
Malawi Ambassador: Stephen Dick Tennyson Matenje Spouse: Isabel Matenje Embassy: 2408 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-721-0270
Malaysia Othman Hashim Spouse: Rohayazam Kamaruzaman Embassy: 3516 International Court NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-572-9700 Ambassador:
Fathimath Athifa Embassy: 800 2nd Ave., Suite 200 E, New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-599-6195 Residence: 13 River Rd., Apt. 17C, New York, NY 10044 Spouse:
Mali Al Maamoun Baba Lamine Keita Spouse: Therese Keita Embassy: 2130 R St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-2249 Residence: 2131 R St. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
embassy and residence:
Embassy: 2017 Connecticut Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-462-3611 Residence: 4501 29th St. NW, 20008
Marshall Islands Charles Rudolph Paul Embassy: 2433 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-234-5414 Residence: 3212 Brooklawn Terrace, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Ambassador:
Mauritania Mohamed Lemine El Haycen Spouse: Laaziza Houzali Ambassador:
Maldives
Malta Ambassador:
Lithuania Zygimantas Pavilionis Spouse: Lina Pavilioniene Embassy: 2622 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-5860 Residence: 1112 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA 22101 Ambassador:
Joseph Cole
Israeli Amb. Michael Oren (second from left) with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Celebrate Israel Parade (Photo by Seth Wenig/AP)
Luxembourg Jean-Louis Wolzfeld 2200 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-265-4171 Residence: 3131 Connecticut Ave. NW, Apt. 2701, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:
Macedonia Zoran Jolevski Suzana Jolevski embassy and residence: 2129 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-667-0501 Ambassador: Spouse:
Madagascar Velotiana R. Raobelina Spouse: Querry Raobelina embassy and Residence: 2374 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-265-5525 Chargé D’Affaires:
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Delicious Diplomacy The State Department’s new culinary initiative showcases food as a means to engage the world
A
s anyone who knows me will tell you, I love food. I enjoy cooking food almost as much as I love eating it. I have been told that I make a mean apple pie and I will put my mole up against any other served inside the Beltway. I take pleasure in tasting new flavors and discovering and sharing recipes as well as preparing and presenting meals for family and friends. In my professional life, I have also come to appreciate the unique power of food. As U.S. chief of protocol, I look for every opportunity to engage foreign dignitaries and advance Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power.”With that goal in mind, I recently launched the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership. Whether you live in the United States or Uganda, China or Chile, food matters. It can unite, excite, express respect and simply bring joy. As most do, I learned the importance of food during my childhood, when it created a powerful bond within my family. As a firstgeneration American, I grew up in a home that was more diverse than most in my neighborhood. Food was a central focus at almost every gathering, and we regularly entertained families of different ethnicities and nationalities. My Mexican grandmother’s wonderful tamales and my father’s spit-roasted Croatian lamb showed guests who we were and from where we came. It was an honor to help either one of them prepare a meal, and although I was very young, I learned not only the nurturing impact of food, but also how it could be used to express one’s cultural heritage or to demonstrate an appreciation for the culture of others. In 1993, I followed Hillary Rodham Clinton to the White House where we learned that the way in which the White House prepared and served food for the nation’s most important visitors truly mattered. As food
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B y C A P R I C I A P E N AV I C M A R S H A L L
When I became chief of protocol, I saw an opportunity to use food as a diplomatic tool to showcase American creativity and excellence for foreign leaders. Negotiation and diplomacy are hard and sometimes divisive, but food can unite. Through the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership, I seek to elevate the role of culinary engagement in America’s formal and public diplomacy efforts. Without adding a new line item to the federal budget, this initiative is designed to enhance all of the efforts within the office of protocol. As a major part of the initiative, we assembled the American Chef Corps, a network of gifted chefs from across the country who will work with the state department to utilize the unique power of food to engage the world. These masters of the kitchen can create a memorable meal at an official function for foreign leaders, engage people in other nations during their travels, or host visiting culinary leaders when they come to the United States.They can blog, tweet and participate in video conferences to share the American culinary experience with nations around the globe. Our chefs will foster Capricia Penavic Marshall cross-cultural exchange, promote mutual underlovers, we embraced the standing, and share opportunity to showinvaluable knowledge case the best of American about the importance of cuisine wholeheartedly. sustainability, nutrition The first lady set out to American Chef Corps members Bryan Voltaggio and the global effort to bring a new style of food of Volt, Vikram Sunderam of Rasika and Rasika West End, and Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia combat food insecurity. preparation and presentaWe share a bit of tion that communicated a ourselves with each truly American culinary style. Along with the and every meal we serve and I look forward to White House Executive Chef Walter Scheib and Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, we prepared exploring the power of food to communicate, and served creative, innovative and forward- form lasting bonds, and bridge cultural divides. Capricia Penavic Marshall is United States chief thinking meals that honored the best of Amerof protocol. ican cooking.
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2012
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Ambassador of Singapore Ashok Mirpuri and Cambodian Amb. Hem Heng Carrie and David Marriott Nepalese Amb. Shankar Sharma and Kalpana Sharma
Sen. Bob Casey and Christopher Broullire
Sen. Max Baucus and Melodee Hanes
Reiko Hirai, Everett Greenstreet, Maki Fukami and Mamiko Hirai wl sponsored
Ambassadors ball Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. | PHOTOS BY tony powell
Veronica Valencia Sarukhan and Mexican Amb. Arturo Sarukhan
Nations United: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society raised $850,000 for 400 of its worlwide initiatives and research at this evening of glamour and giving. Maltese Amb. Joseph Cole, ambassador of Liechtenstein Claudia Fritsche and Mexican Amb. Arturo Sarukhan were among the world respresentatives who mingled with the Washington social set, including CBS News’ Nancy Cordes, Sens. Chris Coons and Robert Casey, Rep. Terry Lee and NMSS National Capital Chapter President Chris Broullire. The generous crowd bid on stand-out auction items from tickets to “The Late Show with David Letterman” to 10-week-old puppies and watched a performance by Devi Dance Theater from The Sutradhar Institute. Optimistic Outlook: The celebration roused guest emotions as they processed President Barack Obama’s statements regarding the recent attacks on the U.S. Consulate in Libya, but the FDA’s approval of a new medication for those with relapsing forms of MS offered a silver lining.
Fred Upton and Heather Podesta
View all the photos at www.washingtonlife.com!
Kevin and Judy McCarthy
Antonia Gore, Gouri Mirpuri and Vicky Cuisia
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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2012
Rene Augustine, Carrie Marriott and Marci Brand
| washingtonlife.com
Annie and Chris Coons
Anita McBride
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Amb. La Celia Prince and Omani Amb. Hunaina Al-Mughairy
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Embassy: 4000 Connecticut Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-234-1530 Residence: 2315 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008
Montenegro Srdjan Darmanovic Aneta Spaic Embassy: 1610 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-6108 Ambassador: Spouse:
Telephone:
202-293-7146
Namibia Martin Andjaba Caroline Andjaba Embassy: 1605 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-986-0540 Residence: 4509 W St. NW, 20007 Ambassador: Spouse:
Nauru Marlene Moses 800 2nd Ave., #400-A, New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-937-0074 Ambassador:
embassy and residence:
Morocco Rachad Bouhlal Fatiha Bennani Embassy: 1601 21st St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-462-7980 Residence: 9109 Clewerwall Dr., Bethesda, MD 20817 Ambassador: Spouse:
Mozambique Amélia Matos Sumbana Spouse: Adriano Fernandes Sumbana Embassy: 1525 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20036
Nepal Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma Spouse: Kalpana Sharma Embassy: 2131 Leroy Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-667-4550 Residence: 2730 34th Pl. NW, 20007 Ambassador:
Ambassador:
Ellen Noghes and Amb. of Monaco Gilles Noghes
2129 Leroy Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-232-5700 Residence: 2339 S St. NW, 20008 Embassy:
Mauritius Somduth Soborum Spouse: Omila Devi Soborum Embassy: 1709 N St. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-244-1491 Ambassador:
Mexico Arturo Sarukhan Spouse: Verónica Valencia-Sarukhan Embassy: 1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 20006 Telephone: 202-728-1600 Residence: 4925 Loughboro Rd. NW, 20016 Ambassador:
Micronesia Ambassador:
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Asterio R. Takesy
Justina Yangilmau Takesy Embassy: 1725 N St. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-223-4383 Spouse:
Netherlands Ambassador:
Rudolf Simon
Bekink 4200 Linnean Ave. NW, 20008
Embassy:
Nicole Chedid and Amb. of Lebanon Antoine Chedid
Moldova Igor Munteanu Angela Munteanu Embassy: 2101 S St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-667-1130 Ambassador: Spouse:
Mongolia Khasbazaryn Bekhbat Gerelmaa Jamsran Embassy: 2833 M St. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-333-7117 Residence: 1021 Iron Gate Rd., Potomac, MD 20854 Ambassador: Spouse:
Monaco Gilles Alexandre Noghès Ellen Noghès
Ambassador: Spouse:
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Chairman of the American Red Cross Bonnie McElveenHunter and Ambassador of South Africa Ebrahim Rasool Telephone:
877-388-2443 Residence: 2347 S St. NW, 20008
New Zealand Michael Kenneth Moore Yvonne Moore Embassy: 37 Observatory Circle NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-328-4800 Residence: 27 Observatory Circle NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Nicaragua Francisco Campbell Miriam Hooker Embassy: 1627 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-939-6570 Residence: 6434 Brookes Lane, Bethesda, MD 20816 Ambassador: Spouse:
Niger Maman Sambo Fidikou Spouse: Fatima Djibo-Sidikkou Embassy: 2204 R St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-483-4224 Residence: 3100 Argyle St. NW, 20011 Ambassador:
Ambassador: Wegger Christian Strömmen Spouse: Rev. Dr. Cecilie J. Strömmen Embassy: 2720 34th St. NW, 20008 Telephone 202-333-6000 Residence: 3401 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20007
Oman Hunaina Sultan al-Mughairy Spouse: Fuad al-Hinai Embassy: 2535 Belmont Rd. NW, 20008 Telephone 202-387-1980 Residence: 2000 24th St. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Nigeria
Pakistan Ambassador: Shehrbano “Sherry” Rehman Spouse: Nadeem Hussain Embassy: 3517 International Court NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-243-6500 Residence: 2343 S St. NW, 20008
Papua New Guinea Chargé d’affaires:
Elias Wohengu Spouse: Relvie Wohengu Embassy: 1770 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 805 Telephone: 202-745-3680
Maciej Pisarski Spouse: Beata Kubokova Embassy: 2640 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-3800 Residence: 3041 Whitehaven St. NW, 20008
Portugal Nuno Filipe Alves Salvador e Brito Spouse: Rofa Batoreu Embassy: 2012 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-328-8610 Residence: 2125 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Qatar Mohamed Bin Abdulla M. Al-Rumaihi Embassy: 2555 M St. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-274-1600 Residence: 4839 Indian Lane NW, 20016 Ambassador:
Paraguay Rigoberto Gauto Estela Espinola-Gauto Embassy: 2400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-483-6960 Residence: 3238 Broad Branch Terrace NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Romania Adrian Vierita Codrina Eugenia Vierita Embassy: 1607 23rd St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-4829 Residence: 2500 30th St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Harold Winston Forsyth Mejía Spouse: María Verónica Sommer Mayer Embassy: 1700 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-833-9860 Residence: 3001 Garrison St. NW, 20008
Philippines Jose L. Cuisia Jr. Maria Victoria Jose Embassy: 1600 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-467-9300 Residence: 2253 R St. NW 20008
Russian federation Sergey I. Kislyak Natalia M. Kislyak Embassy: 2650 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-298-5700 Residence: 1125 16th St. NW, 20036 Ambassador: Spouse:
Ambassador:
Hersey Kyota Lydia Shmull Kyota Embassy: 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 300, 20006 Telephone 202-452-6814 Residence: 6423 13th St. Alexandria, VA 22307 Spouse:
Norway
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
Spouse:
Peru
Ambassador:
Adebowale Adefuye Spouse: Catherine Adefuye Embassy: 3519 International Court NW, 20008 Telephone: 202.986.8400
Mario E. Jaramillo Elsa Jaramillo Embassy: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-483-1407 Residence: 2601 29th St. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Ambassador:
Palau
Ambassador:
Panama
Spouse:
Rev. Dr. Cecilie Strommen and ambassador of Norway Wegger Strommen
Poland chargé d’affaires :
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2012
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special feature | ambassadors directory
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines La Celia A. Prince Embassy: 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 Telephone: 202-364-6730 Ambassador:
Samoa Ambassador:
Ali’ioaiga
Feturi Elisaia Spouse: Maria Lei Sam-Elisaia Embassy: 800 2nd Ave., Suite 400-J, New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-599-6196
Amb. of Russia Sergey Kislyak and Natalia Kislyak
Seychelles Ambassador: Marie
Louise Cecile Potter Embassy: 800 2nd Ave. Suite 400 C, New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-972-1785
Sierra Leone Bockari Kortu Stevens Musu Stevens Embassy: 1701 19th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-939-9261 Residence: 4821 Colorado Ave. NW, 20008
Ovídio Manuel Barbosa Pequeño Spouse: Leopoldina Pequeño Embassy: 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 300, 20036 Telephone: 202-775-2075 Residence: 3024 Covington St., Fairfax, VA 20151 Ambassador:
Rwanda James Kimonyo Marie Murekatete Embassy: 1714 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-232-2882 Residence: 1752 Sycamore St. NW, 20012 Ambassador: Spouse:
Saudi Arabia Adel Al-Jubeir Farah Meshal D. Alfayez Embassy: 601 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-342-3800 Ambassador: Spouse:
Saint Kitts and Nevis Jacinth Lorna Henry-Martin Spouse: Michael Martin Embassy: 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 Telephone: 202-686-2636 Residence: 1016 Laurel Leaf Pl., Potomac, MD 20854 Ambassador:
Saint Lucia Sonia Merlyn Johnny 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 Telephone: 202-364-6792 Ambassador: Embassy:
Senegal Cheikh Niang 2031 Florida Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-0540
Solomon Islands Collin David Beck Helen Beck Embassy: 800 2nd Ave., Suite 400-L, New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-599-6192 Ambassador: Spouse:
Ambassador: Spouse:
Singapore Ashok Kumar Mirpuri Gouri Mirpuri Embassy: 3501 International Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-537-3100 Residence: 2620 Rock Creek Dr. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Sao Tome and Principe
Residence: 2412 California St. NW, 20008
South Africa Ebrahim Rasool Roseida Shabodien Embassy: 3400 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-232-4400 Residence: 4847 Rockwood Parkway, 20016 Ambassador: Spouse:
Spouse:
Slovak Republic
South Korea Choi Young-Jin Heewon Lee Embassy: 2450 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-939-5600 Residence: 4801 Glenbrough Ave., 20017 Ambassador: Spouse:
Ambassador:
Peter Kmec Embassy: 3523 International Court NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-237 1054 Residence: 7718 Carlton Pl., McLean, VA 22102
Ambassador: Embassy:
Serbia Vladimir Petrovi 2134 Kalorama Rd. NW 20008 Telephone: 202-332-0333 Ambassador: Embassy:
Slovenia Ambassador:
Roman Kirn Spouse: Jovana Kirn Embassy: 2410 California St. NW, 20008 Telephone:
202-386-6601
Eva Hafström and Amb. of Sweden Jonas Hafström
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Former California State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez with Canadian Amb. Gary Doer and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/AP)
South Sudan Akec Khoc Aciew Khoc 1233 20th St. NW, Suite #602, 20036 Telephone: 202-293-7940 Ambassador: Embassy:
Spain Ramón Gil-Casares 2375 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-452-0100 Residence: 2350 Foxhall Rd. NW, 20007 Ambassador: Embassy:
Sri Lanka Jaliya Wickramasuriya Priyanga Wickramasuriya Embassy: 2148 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-483-4025 Residence: 2503 30th St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Sudan Dr. Emad Altohamy Maha Abdo Embassy: 2210 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-338-8565 chargé d’affaires: Spouse:
Suriname
Switzerland
Subhas Chandra Mungra Spouse: Dharmkoemarie Mungra Embassy: 4301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 460, 20008 Telephone: 202-244-7488 Residence: 7000 31st St. NW, 20015 Ambassador:
Swaziland
Adel Ali Ahmed Alsunaini Spouse: Abir Fahel Embassy: 2215 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-232-6313 Residence: 2833 McGill Terrace NW, 20008
Sweden Jonas Hafström Eva Hafström
| OCTOBER
Taiwan (Republic of China) Jason Yuan Maggie Yuan Embassy: 4201 Wisconsin Ave. NW Telephone: 202-895-1800 Residence: 3225 Woodley Rd. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:
Tajikistan Nuriddin Shamsov 1005 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-223-6090 Residence: 4629 2nd St. South, Arlington, VA 22204 Ambassador: Embassy:
chargé d’affaires:
Ambassador:
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
Manuel Sager Spouse: Christine Sager Embassy: 2900 Cathedral Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-745-7900 Residence: 2920 Cathedral Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Syria
Rev. Abednego Mandla Ntshangase Spouse: Phindile Ntshangase Embassy: 1712 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-5002 Ambassador:
Spouse:
Embassy: House of Sweden, 2900 K St. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-467-2600 Residence: 3900 Nebraska Ave. NW, 20016
Tanzania Mwanaidi Sinare Maajar Spouse: Shariff Maajar Embassy: 1232 22nd St. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-939-6125 Ambassador:
Thailand Ambassador:
2012
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Chaiyong Satjipanon
Embassy: 1024 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 401, 20007 Telephone: 202-944-3600 Residence: 2145 Decatur Pl. NW, 20008
Togo Limbiye Edawe Kadangha Bariki Spouse: Assozimana Balouki Embassy: 2208 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-234-4212 Residence: 1615 Crittenden St. NW, 20010 Ambassador:
Tonga Sonatane Tu’akinamolahi Taumoepeau-Tupou Spouse: Amelia Latuniua Ahome’e Embassy and residence: 250 E. 51 St., New York, NY, 10022 Telephone: 917-369-1025 Ambassador:
Trinidad & Tobago
57
special feature | ambassadors directory
Dr. Neil Parsan Lucia Mayers Parsan Embassy: 1708 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-467-6490 Residence: 7530 17th St. NW, 20012 Ambassador: Spouse:
Tunisia Tarek Amri Radhia Garba Amri Embassy: 1515 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20005 Telephone: 202-862-1850 Residence: 5131 Broad Branch Rd. NW, 20008 Charge d’Affaires:
Actress Nicole Kidman with Italian Amb. Claudio Bisogniero and Laura Bisogniero
Spouse:
Turkey Namik Tan Spouse: Fügen Tan Embassy: 2525 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-612-6700 Residence: 1606 23rd St. NW, 20008 Ambassador:
Turkmenistan
Actress Nicole Kidman with Italian Amb. Claudio Bisogniero and Laura Biso gniero Ambassador: Meret Bairamovich Orazov Spouse: Irina Borisovna Orazova Embassy: 2207 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-588-1500
Uganda Perezi K.Kamunanwire Carolyn Hubbard-Kamunanwire Embassy: 5911 16th St. NW, 20011 Telephone: 202-726-7100 Residence: 4000 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20016 Ambassador: Spouse:
Ambassador of Bahrain Houda Nonoo
Lady (Susie) Westmacott 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-588-6500 Spouse:
Embassy:
Uruguay Juan Carlos Pita Alvariza Embassy: 1913 I St. NW, 20006 Telephone: 202-331-1313 Residence: 9001 Clewerwall Dr., Bethesda MD, 20817 Ambassador:
Uzbekistan Ilhomjon Nematov Spouse: Gyulasal Nematova embassy and residence: 1746 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-887-5300 Ambassador:
Ukraine Olexander Motsyk Spouse: Natalia Terletskaya Embassy: 3350 M St. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-349-2920 Residence: 4744 Foxhall Crescent NW, 20007 Ambassador:
Venezuela Angelo Rivero Santos Embassy: 1099 30th St. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-342-2214 Residence: 2443 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Charge d’affaires:
United Arab Emirates Yousef Al Otaiba Spouse: Abeer Al Otaiba Embassy: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, 20008 Telephone: 202-243-2400 Ambassador:
United Kingdom Ambassador:
58
Sir Peter Westmacott
Vietnam
Embassy: 1233 20th St. NW, Suite 400, 20036 Telephone: 202-861-0737
Yemen Adel Ali Ahmed Alsunaini Spouse: Antesar Ali Abodinya Embassy: 2319 Wyoming Ave. NW, 200008 Telephone: 202-965-4760 Residence: 4850 Glenbrook Rd. NW, 20016 Charge d’affaires:
Zambia Bernard Kangwa Jayne Dorothy Awongo Kangwa embassy and Residence: 2419 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-265-9717 charge d’affaires: Spouse:
Zimbabwe Machivenyika Mapuranga Shupikai V.D. Mapuranga Embassy: 1608 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-332-7100 Residence: 7116 Helmsdale Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817 Ambassador: Spouse:
Nguyen Quoc Cuong Ha Hoang Cuong
Ambassador: Spouse:
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
| OCTOBER
2011
| washingtonlife.com