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special feature | Ambassadors Directory

2013

Ambassadors Directory THE LATIN AMERICAN DECADE? MAYBE

By Roland Flamini

I

n April, the eighth World Economic Forum on Latin America in Lima, Peru, concluded with a call for the hemisphere to build on its many economic successes, and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) president Luis Alberto Moreno told the assembly that for the next three to five years the region is likely to continue to grow twice as fast as the developed world “at a minimum,” and that in most countries, problems of debt overhangs, hyper-inflation, budget deficits, and economic instability were fading memories of the bad old days.

It’s fair to ask whether this Latin America is the same one that, within memory, faced 35 financial crises in 25 years, was propped up by the World Bank and the IDB, and run by jack-booted generals with the full backing of the United States — because Washington, in its infinite wisdom, considered military regimes the best insurance against the further spread of communism in the region. Or was this some other, recently discovered Latin America that Francisco Pizarro and company had somehow missed?

It’s not that Latin America blossomed overnight into a region of sound finances and financial practices, low inflation, and good governance, with a commodity-driven boom in exports and a robust average growth rate of 4 percent and $170 billion in foreign direct investment in 2012 alone — oh, and the largest oil reserves outside the Middle East. In 2010, Moreno, in an article in the Financial Times, called this the Latin American decade. “Although problems such as drug-trafficking and emigration still dominate and distort public perceptions of Latin America,” he wrote, “over the past 20 years the region has

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undergone a quiet but profound transformation.”

Quiet is right. Aside from the residual impressions of a volatile hemisphere, the transformation in Moreno’s article was overshadowed by economic problems in the U.S. and Europe, turmoil in the Middle East and developments in Asia, and therefore attracted little outside notice — until it became impossible to ignore. Brazil, the second-fastest growing economy in the world, was the most visible example, emerging as an industrial and agricultural powerhouse. But — wrote

The next three to five years the region (Latin America) is likely to grow twice as fast as the developed world... and that in most countries, problems of debt overhangs, hyper-inflation, budget deficits, and economic instability are fading memories.

Inter-American Development Bank president Luis Alberto Moreno

Moreno at the time — “Brazil’s success is echoed, to varying degrees, by most of its neighbors.”

From the start the overall picture has been somewhat uneven, with a few countries lagging behind the rest.

Pedro Burelli, a Venezuelan-born and Washington-based entrepreneur, says earlier macroeconomic reforms, the right policies and sheer luck came together to create Latin America’s economic success. Because conservative Latin American banks had steered clear of investing in the sub-prime market they escaped fairly unscathed from the 2008 economic meltdown,

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Brazil’s “Christ the Redeemer” statue

The Basilica in Quito, Ecuador

and together with some Spanish banks continued to give access to credit. “The local banks kept the region going enough so the progress they had made wasn’t halted,” he says.

At the same time, a spike in demand mainly from China for copper (Chile), iron (Brazil), and other commodities has fueled an export boom.

Increased prosperity has resulted in an emergent middle class (75 million people in the past decade, or roughly a third of the population) with a profound impact on Latin American society, and the establishment of a domestic market. Burelli argues that the absence of military coups and a terrorism threat made security a non-issue, which encouraged investment and reassured the middle class. “After all, being in the middle class means having the ability to think beyond survival,” he says, and volatility creates uncertainty.

The creation of inward wealth has been one of the hemisphere’s achievements over the past decade; the other is its expansion into world markets through the emergence of multilatinas — Latin America’s version of multinational corporations — based in the hemisphere but operating throughout the area and even in countries in the industrialized north that once seemed out of reach. (One example of a major Latin American corporation reversing past trends by investing in the U.S. is the purchase by Chile’s Concha y Toro, the region’s leading wine exporter with sales in 115 countries, of a California vineyard for $200 million.)

All of which began to call into question the old perception of Latin America as “America’s backyard,” implying economic and political dependence. “In 2012, the big theme for Latin America was integration,” writes Sharon O’Neill, senior fellow for Latin American Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. “Going forward … the development and deepening of regional supply chains is one of the best ways

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to boost Latin American global competitiveness,” (for example, in the Union of South American Nations [UNASUR] which brings together Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru — without U.S. involvement).

While this may well be the Latin American decade, 2013 has raised some serious, nagging questions. “The music has stopped, but not forever,” says Hilda Ochoa Brillembourg, a Washington-based investment adviser and CEO of Strategic Investment Group. “There’s no doubt that the Latin American economy has been the source of growth for the region’s middle class. It’s a younger and vibrant continent.” Countries have done well that “put in place good government structures,” she says.

Chile, Colombia, and Peru have been star performers. Brazil is stumbling, Venezuela and Bolivia need to throw out some old fashioned notions. Ecuador had a 6 percent growth rate, but has been a profligate spender, especially on infrastructure.

A drop in China’s growth rate, some consequent slippage in commodity prices, the need to improve schooling standards to have a larger, educated workforce, a determined push for greater inclusion, and an even more determined push to fight crime and corruption are among the common challenges.

In Brazil, urban demonstrations that started as protests against high transportation fares grew into violent dissent at the government’s lavish spending on preparations for next year’s World Cup tournament, and widespread social inequality (the fact that the country has lifted over 30 million of its citizens out of poverty only serves to increase underclass resentment).

And last year Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff triggered international concerns — and U.S. protests — over growing protectionism in the region’s largest economy (and the world’s sixth largest) by saying it will raise tariffs on 100 foreign products, including tires, iron pipes and glass, to protect its industries from foreign competition.

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special feature | Ambassadors Directory

THEIR MEN (AND WOMEN) IN WASHINGTON The complex art of redefining a relationship

By Roland Flamini

Brazilian Amb. Mauro Vieira speaking with Massachussets Gov. Deval Patrick (Flickr)

O

nce a month, a dozen or so ambassadors in Washington meet informally over lunch to discuss current issues of common interest to their respective countries. They are the envoys from South America, who, unlike other regional groups of envoys, share Spanish as a common language, a common cultural heritage, and a common history. (Actually, the ambassador from Brazil speaks Portuguese, but many Brazilians are generally comfortable speaking Spanish.)

These days, most of them have something else in common: democratic systems of government and an interest in integrating their remarkably successful economies. They are also

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ambassadors in Washington at a time when relations between the Western Hemisphere and the United States, the host country, are being reassessed on both sides.

American hegemonic power and unchallenged influence was the old way of doing business in the region. The “new” Latin American diplomacy, reinforced by booming economies, is both more independent and more assertive.

Brazil campaigns for a permanent seat in the U.N. Security Council, based on the argument that the hemisphere has been ignored for long enough; revelations of NSA snooping on Latin American leaders draws strong reactions, including the hitherto unheard of snub from Brazilian

President Dilma Rousseff of “postponing” her October state visit to Washington.

American relations with post-Chavez Venezuela remain strained and Bolivian President Evo Morales said in September that he intends to take legal action against President Obama for crimes against humanity, which is hardly calculated to endear him to Washington. Despite American protests, Ecuador continues to give asylum in its London Embassy to Julian Assange, the man responsible for Wikileaks. More recently, Ecuador was one of the countries mentioned as a possible refuge for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, now ensconced in Russia.

Washington Life asked four Latin American envoys what it’s like to be in the front line of a relationship that can suddenly become thorny.

Being diplomats, their replies were, well — diplomatic, but with occasional hints that behind the polish the course of things did not always run smoothly.

Nathalie Cely, Ecuador’s ambassador, a woman with a cheerful, direct manner, has no hesitation in addressing questions on Assange and Snowden. “We [the Ecuadorian government] don’t see Snowden as a problem in our bilateral relations,” she says. “Our president has spoken to Vice President Biden about our position on Snowden. Ecuador didn’t choose this controversy, it chose us. If Snowden petitions for asylum, Ecuador will consider it, but at the moment he’s in Russia.” Assange, she said,

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sought asylum in the London embassy. “We’re bound by international and domestic law to thoroughly consider any and all applications for asylum we receive on the basis of the likelihood of persecution, not politics.”

Cely, who graduated from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2001, has been Ecuador’s ambassador to Washington since January. A political appointee, she is an economist, a former development minister in the Quito government, and an international consultant on economic development.

Interviewed in the embassy’s spacious residence with its large collection of Ecuadorian art, she said her country and the United States “have a lot of motives for maintaining good relations.” For example, there are about 1.5 million Ecuadorians living in the United States.

At the same time, an organization that grades retirement locations has picked Ecuador as the best place to retire. Bilateral trade is around $12 billion, with Ecuadorian exports including cut flowers, fruit and oil.

Her dealings with the administration work smoothly, she says, “but Congress is a little more difficult.They don’t take the time to understand what’s going on beyond the headlines.” She calls the stalled immigration reforms, “the vital, unfinished business of the United States.”

Cely lights up when she talks about her country’s economic and social progress (although growth has now hit a bump and is down to 1 percent), and about being a woman ambassador in what remains a male world. “It does take longer to be taken seriously,” she says, but soon adds,“Not much longer.”

Her counterpart from Chile, Felipe Bulnes, is a political appointee and a former minister of education in Santiago. A Fulbright scholar with a degree from Harvard Law School, he also left behind a teaching job and a top Chilean law firm with his name on the shingle.

In a September interview he was asked about relations between his country and the U.S. “I couldn’t be happier,” was his reply. “President Obama has visited Chile, and our president

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[Sebastian Pinera] has been to Washington. We’re increasing bilateral trade and Chile has been nominated as a country to join the Visa Waiver program — the first Latin American country to do so. We’ve been working very hard on that.”

Chile is one of the star performers among the Latin American economies, and Bulnes said the growth rate stays level at around 4 percent and exports grew 65 percent between 2010 and 2012, notably wine, fresh fruit and copper. But, copper accounts for around 50 percent of Chile’s exports and any fluctuation in world prices has an immediate impact on the economy. Increasing exports is a Chilean Amb. Felipe Bulnes (right) and his wife Monica Pellegrini government priority, and Chile (Photo by Joseph Allen) has signed 23 free trade agreepreparing the house to receive President Dilma ments with other countries.

Regional integration remains another priority, Rousseff for a much touted state visit, including Bulnes says, noting that in June 2012, Chile, Peru, a rare state dinner at the White House.

Then came Edward Snowden’s revelations of Mexico and Colombia signed a Pacific Alliance Agreement to integrate their economies more wholesale National Security Agency surveillance, deeply (including merging their stock markets) including from theBrazilian president’s own office. and to develop more trade links with the Asia- President Roussef abruptly postponed her trip, and then delivered a scathing rebuke to the U.S. Pacific region.

Early next year Bulnes is scheduled to from the podium of the U.N. General Assembly. leave Washington to return to his old profes- The media called the postponement an unprecsion to represent Chile at the International edented snub. Not so, says Ambasador Vieira.The Court of Justice in the Hague, where Bolivia postponement was a mutual decision. “It doesn’t is demanding access to an area of northern mean that our relations are strained. On the conChile taken by the Chileans in the Pacific trary, the postponement was aimed at preserving War of 1879. “Not that being an ambassador the relationship by preveting a single issue from in Washington hasn’t been a wonderful expe- taking the spotlight.” He added,“We are working rience,” he says. “It helps you understand the very hard to solve this issue.”

Vieira said the bilateral relationship was deep political process; you can read about it, but and long standing, but “our (respective) governyou have to be here to understand it.”

Ambassador Mauro Vieira of Brazil, a career ments do not shrink from taking tough decidiplomat of long standing, has resided in one of sion.” However, he adds, “we are committed Washington’s grandest embassy residences since to realize the full potential of this partnership.”

January 2010. Until early September, he was There were strong common interests, such as

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special feature | Ambassadors Directory

Ecuadorean Amb. Nathalie Cely (Photo by Joseph Allen)

Peruvian Minister of Defense Luis Alberto Otarola Penarand, Peruvian Amb. Harold Forsyth and Sec. of Defense Leon Panetta. (DoD photo Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo)

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economic cooperation, combating transnational crime, human rights and environmental issues.

Bilateral trade was huge in 2011, reaching $67 billion, and Brazilian investment in the U.S. had reached $11 billion. In addition, 2014 soccer World Cup and the Summer Olympics two years later were “serving as catalysts for private and public investments which is shaping our big cities,” says Vieira, who has spent the last two years courting potential U.S. investors.

But Brazil, which has long punched below its real strength, can be a bristly ally even as it leverages its status as the leading economy in Latin America and the eighth worldwide to win a more prominent place in global politics. Brazil is leading a campaign to reform the United Nations centered on a quest to gain a permanent seat in the U.N. Security Council. “The Security Council has to be more representative of the world today,”Vieira says. “It can no longer be a photo of what happened at the beginning of the last century.”

For centuries, Spain colonized Peru and appropriated its mineral wealth. Regular shipments of Peruvian gold, silver and other raw materials were perhaps the Spanish crown’s largest source of income.

Today, the output from Peru’s mines is one of the country’s own major sources of income. Mineral exports to China, the United States and elsewhere totaled $36 billion in 2011, out of total exports of $42.2 billion, or around 60 percent.

Which is one reason why Peruvian Ambassador Harold Forsyth can claim that “Our economy is among the first in the world in terms of growth.” In the past few years Peru, with its 6 percent growth rate, has been another of the star performers of the Latin America’s booming economy. “The climate for investment in the mining sector is very attractive,” Ambassador Forsyth adds.

“Peru has a lot to show the world in that specific area.”

But another booming sector is tourism. According to a 2012 World Bank report, 2.2 million visitors came to Peru in 2010 and the sector is increasing at 25 percent a year. “We have history and we have culture,” says the ambassador. “We are a country with an important past that serves our present and future.”

Ambassador Forsyth, whose wife Marie is a former Miss Chile (they met when he was serving in Santiago), is one of those senior diplomats who has been ambassador everywhere, including China, Italy, Colombia and Bulgaria, but has also managed to have careers as a journalist and a member of the Peruvian parliament. It’s a fair bet, though, that his younger son George is a bigger celebrity back home. He’s a top goalkeeper who has been a member of the Peruvian national soccer team.

The Forsyths moved into their 25-acre hilltop residence in 20ll, at a time when — the ambassador says — “bilateral relations are at their highest point.”

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2013

‘Things are getting better’ Christos Panagopoulos B y J o h n Ar u n d e l

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reek Ambassador Christos Panagopoulos once held a position on his country’s Junior National Polo Team. Swimming frequently keeps his mind alert and vibrant, he says, for managing the diplomatic affairs in Washington of a country that nearly sank into a financial abyss after the 2008 global recession. The 59-year-old envoy spoke with Washington Life about the crisis and his country’s future.

The Greek economy was one of the fastest growing in the Eurozone.

What happened?

We lost about 80 percent of our competitiveness between 2005 and 2009, but since that point we have regained about 75 percent of our productivity.

Has Greece turned the corner?

Yes, I think so. By next year, we’re going to start seeing some growth. It’s not possible to say we are out of danger, but we are already in the recovery process and things are looking much better.

The world’s perception of Greece is that of a beggar to the European Union.

It’s going to take a lot of hard work to reverse that image. Greece is still one of the richest countries in the region, and if you compare us to other countries in the neighborhood, we’re still number one. The Germans gain a few billion euros every year from our tragedy, and they did not spend a penny. They lent us money and they have every reason imaginable to help get us out of this crisis, because if we go bankrupt, they’ll lose everything.

What would change that perception?

Americans who go to Greece discover the real

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Greek Americans there to greet me. Chicago is considered “the second biggest Greek city” because after Athens, it’s the world’s biggest population of Greeks in a city. It’s a very dynamic community that follows very closely our tradition, our values, and our great Hellenic heritage.

Amb. Christos Panagopoulos (Photo by Joseph Allen)

face of Greece, not that which is presented through the economy, which sometimes does not correspond to the reality because they overpaint.They see how friendly people are, the unique environment, the tradition, the history, the cuisine, and above all, that the Greek people like to welcome them.

It is said that the bi-lateral relationship between Greece and the United States is like that of two longtime lovers. Do you agree?

It’s been a love story all the way. We have been together, never in opposing camps. Consider this: We have more or less the same independence dates, 200 years apart, and we have fought together in all the major battles of Europe, the First and Second World Wars and the battles against totalitarianism. What we also have is what I call a “live bridge,” the Greek American community that is in everyday contact between Greece and America.

How many Greek Americans live in the United States?

Nearly 3 million people. They’re spread all over, from Alaska to Chicago, and as Counsel General in Boston and then on the West Coast, everywhere I visited there were

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What makes Greece a special place for Americans to visit?

It’s history and tradition. The fathers of the American federation were inspired by many ideas of ancient Athens. That’s where it all began. The way Americans govern themselves today is where it started 2,500 years ago. The Acropolis in Athens, along with our great philosophers and heritage, are the very basis of Western civilization, democracy, respect of the individual and human rights. If someone wants to call themselves a democratic person, he or she knows where it started. In a sense, today’s values and problems were already debated 3,000 years ago in Athens.

What effect does tourism have in terms of economic impact on the country?

It’s huge.The GDP share is about 15 percent, so you can imagine that during a period in which unemployment is the number one problem, providing jobs, even in high-tourism areas, can be a challenge. There are not many jobs during December, January and February as there are in the summer months. It’s a big, short season.

Is Greece trying to rely less on tourism as an economic driver?

Yes, one can’t live only from services. We have been asked to take measures in a period of a few years, while other countries took decades to reform their economies. It’s very painful for us. But let’s face it.This is not a Greek crisis and we will need help getting out of it.

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special feature | Ambassadors Directory

Elin Suleymanov Azerbaijan

directory Afganistan Eklil Hakimi Sultana Hakimi Embassy: 2341 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-483-6410 Residence: 3208 Cleveland Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

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 Spouse: Etleva Galanxhi Embassy: 1312 18th St. NW, 4th Fl., 20036 Telephone: 202-223-4942 Ambassador:

Amb. Elin Suleymanov and Lala Suleymanov (Photo by Joseph Allen)

Something surprising Americans don’t know about your country/customs/culture/history?

Azerbaijan is one of the most tolerant societies in the world, where different religions and communities, including a 2,500-year-old Jewish community, live in peace and harmony. The world’s first-ever republic with a predominantly Muslim population was established in Azerbaijan on May 28, 1918 and it granted voting rights to women before the United States.

Social event you look forward to every year?

Azerbaijan marks its Republic Day on May 28. We try to make it as festive as possible. Since I am twice as old as my country’s independence, this is a very exciting celebration for me.

How do you like to spend your free time?

My family and I like to travel. Seeing new places and returning to favorites spots makes one appreciate the diversity around us. Perhaps, I should blame my education in geography at the Moscow State University for visiting some 44 of the American states. And of course, if I get a chance, to spend a day reading.

Dish from home you miss the most?

Dolma, the stuffed grape leaves. The Azerbaijani one is special. It is smaller, stuffed with mostly meat and is eaten with yogurt sauce. I am very grateful to my wife Lala for finding time to make the best dolma I have ever eaten outside Azerbaijan.

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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:

Andorra Narcis Casal De Fonsdeviela Embassy: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Fl., New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-750-8064 Ambassador:

Angola Alberto do Carmo Bento Ribeiro Spouse: Maria Odete Ribeiro Embassy and residence: 2108 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-785-1156 Ambassador:

Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador: Deborah Mae Lovell

3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 Telephone: 202-362-5122 Residence: “The Elms,” 4040 52nd St. NW, 20016 Embassy:

(The) Arab League Mohammed Alhussaini Al Sharif Ambassador:

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Iman Alhussaini Al Sharif 1100 17th St. NW, Suite 620, 20036 Telephone: 202-265-3210 Spouse:

Embassy:

Argentina Cecilia Nahon 1600 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-238-6400 Ambassador:

Embassy and Residence:

Armenia Tatoul Markarian Anna Aghumina Embassy: 2225 R St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-319-1976 Ambassador: Spouse:

Australia Kim Beazley Susanna Annus Embassy: 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-797-3000 Residence: 3120 Cleveland Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

Austria Hans Peter Manz 3524 International Ct. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-895-6700 Residence: 2419 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

Azerbaijan Elin Suleymanov Lala Abdurahimova Embassy: 2741 34th St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-337-3500 Residence: 4039 Highwood St. NW, 20007 Ambassador: Spouse:

Bahamas Dr. Eugene Newry 2220 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-319-2660 Residence: 5100 Warren Pl. NW, 20016 Ambassador: Embassy:

Bahrain Houda Nonoo Salman Idafar Embassy: 3502 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-342-1111 Residence: 4646 Hawthorne Ln. NW, 20016 Ambassador: Spouse:

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2013 202-483-4410 3012 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone:

Bangladesh

Residence:

Akramul Qader Spouse: Rifat Sulpana Akram Embassy: 3510 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-244-0183 Residence: 4 Highboro Ct., Bethesda, MD 20817 Ambassador:

Bosnia and Herzegovina Jadranka Negodic 2109 E St. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-337-1500 Residence: 1508 22nd St. North, Arlington, VA 22209 Ambassador: Embassy:

Barbados John Beale Spouse: Leila Mol Beale Embassy: 2144 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-939-9200 Residence: 12 Farmington Ct., Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Ambassador:

Botswana Tebelelo Seretse Spouse: Kgosi Tholego Seretse Embassy: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-244-4990 Residence: 10001 Bent Cross Dr., Potomac, MD 20854 Ambassador:

Belarus Oleg Kravchenko Marina Kravchenko Embassy: 1619 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-986-1604 Residence: 4311 Embassy Park Dr. NW, 20016 Chargé D’Affaires: Spouse:

Belgium Jan Matthysen Spouse: Agnes Aerts Embassy: 3330 Garfield St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-333-6900 Residence: 2300 Foxhall Rd. NW, 20007 Ambassador:

Brazil Mauro Vieira 3006 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-238-2700 Residence: 3000 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

Brunei Darussalam Ambassador: Dato Paduka Haji Yusoff Haji Abdul Hamid Spouse: Datin Mahani Abu Zar Embassy: 3520 International Ct. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-237-1838

Belize

Bulgaria

Nestor Mendez Spouse: Elvira Mendez Embassy: 2535 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-9636 Residence: 1686 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA 22101 Ambassador:

Ambassador: Elena Poptodorova Petrova Spouse: George Petrova Spouse: 1621 22nd St. NW, 20008 Spouse: 202-387-0174 Residence: 3516 Rittenhouse St. NW, 20015

Benin Dr. Segbe Cyrille Oguin Hortense Oguin Embassy: 2124 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-232-6656 Residence: 2201 Sorrel Ave., Potomac, MD 20854 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: Spouse:

Burma

Bolivia Freddy Bersatti Spouse: Rosayda Bersatti Embassy: 3014 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Chargé d’affaires:

Ye Lwin Embassy: 2300 S St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-3344 Residence: 2223 R St. NW, 20008 Chargé d’affaires:

Burundi Angele Niyuhire Simeon Kirabisha Embassy: 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 212, 20007 Telephone: 202-342-2574 Residence: 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 212, 20007 Ambassador: Spouse:

Cambodia Hem Heng Savine Ek Embassy: 4530 16th St. NW, 20011 Telephone: 202-726-7824 Residence: 4500 16th St. NW, 20011 Ambassador: Spouse:

Deborah Mae-Lovell, Antigua and Barbuda

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:

Tatoul Markarian, Armenia

Cape Verde Maria de Fátima Lima da Veiga Spouse: Manuel Veiga Embassy: 3415 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-965-6820 Residence: 6509 Kenhill Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817 Ambassador:

Central African Republic Ambassador:

Kim Beazley, Australia

Stanislas Moussa-Kembe

Embassy: 2704 Ontario Rd. NW, 20009

202-483-7800 1840 Redwood Terrace NW, 20012 Telephone: Residence:

Chad Maitine Djoumbe Naome Darkarim Embassy: 2401 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-652-1312 Ambassador: Spouse:

Hans Peter Manz, Austria WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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special feature | Ambassadors Directory

incoming envoys A few new faces on the diplomatic scene

argentina

Cecilia Nahon

guatemala

Jose Julio Ligorria Carballido

malta

Marisa Micallef

slovak republic

Peter Kmec

China

cyprus

Cui Tiankai

iraq

Ruben Ignacio Rivas

ireland

Lukman Faily

israel

Anne Anderson

mexico

mongolia

Eduardo Medina Mora

slovenia

south korea

Bozo Cerar

Ahn Ho-young

tunisia

Equatorial guinea

Ruben Mangue

norway

Kairat Umarov

paraguay

poland

Fernando Antonio Pfannl Caballero

sweden

Bjoern Olof Lyrvall

uganda

kazakhstan

Kenichiro Sasae

Kaare Reidar Aas

Oliver Wonekha

georgia

Archil Gegeshidze

japan

Ron Dermer

Altangerel Bulgaa

Mokhtar Chaouachi

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El salvador

George Chacalli

uzbekistan

Bakhtiyar Gulyamov

taiwan

Pu-tsung King

Ryszard Schnepf

tanzania

Liberata Mulamula

grenada

Ethelstan Angus Friday

maldives

Ahmed Sareer

rwanda

Mathilde Mukantabana

tonga

Mahe Tupouniua

zambia

Palan Mulonda

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‘Iraq is a Much Different Place Today’ Lukman Faily B y J o h n Ar u n d e l

I

raq’s new Ambassador to the United States Lukman Faily went into selfimposed exile in Great Britain for 20 years because of his disdain for Saddam Hussein. He represents a rising generation of exiled Iraqis who returned home to build a free-market democracy. There, Faily, who is fluent in English, Arabic and Kurdish, was an active leader within the exile community advocating for democracy and rule of law in Iraq. He also served for three years as Iraq’s ambassador to Japan after working in the IT sector. He arrived in Washington with his wife Lameis Faily and their four sons. The new envoy recently sat down with Washington Life to discuss how his country has changed and what lies ahead.

Are IRAQis happier today?

People have a vision of what they want. They have the ability to get to that vision because they no longer have the shackles of dictatorship.

They can think and act freely. They can obtain mobiles and satellite channels with open media coverage to open their minds. They have a democratic system in place which does not inhibit how they think or act in any way.

Is it a much more Westernized place?

It is a much more modern place. Everybody has the latest gadgets and is trying to get their passports and to travel abroad. However, we do have the tremendous impact of the various walls, such as the U.N. sanctions and the battle on terrorism. So, we need to get out of that.

IS Iraq growing again?

Income is up 50 percent, and GDP per capita has increased 500 percent per year.We also have growth of one million new people every year.

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What was it like to be in exile for 20 years? Did you miss your homeland?

Definitely. On the plus side it makes you more aware of what’s going on, so you keep your eyes and ears open more. I was actively involved in the student movements against Saddam at the university and in my youth which kept me attached to my country emotionally.

After 2003 we were able to return. That joy is unimaginable to describe.

What did you find when you returned?

I found an Iraq that was confused about its place in the world, afraid of more dictatorships and frightened by the economic troubles it faced.

Amb. Lukman Faily (Photo courtesy Iraq Embassy)

CAN oil lift the Iraqis out of their $6,000-per-year average incomes?

Oil is our “get out of jail” card. Iraq is rich in oil, in people, in land. It’s up to us to take advantage of one of the greatest resources of petroleum in the world. Oil is also where much of the new investments are taking place — to provide us with funds to build our infrastructure. But we don’t intend to be solely an oil-based economy. We’d like to diversify out of the oil culture and into other businesses.

Does Iran represent a security threat for Iraq?

No, we have never seen Iran as a security threat. We have told all countries that we respect their borders and have embraced world peace. That said, there is still some fear of Iran on our side.

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Is Iraq less marginalized in the post-Saddam world?

There’s no restriction on visas. At the embassy here we ship [an approved passport] within a day or two. We don’t need to get approval from the government for this, so we have the freedom of visitors, we have media freedom, the freedom to open any type of business you want. It’s no longer a police state.

A re wo m en ta k ing m ore prominent roles in the new Iraqi government?

Not to the extent that we as Iraqis would like. Traditionally women have played these roles but we have none now. They have 25 percent representation in Parliament, per our Constitution. There’s no restriction on them. With respect to the development of women historically, Iraq has been much more progressive than even some western countries.

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João Vale de Almeida European Union

Residence: 16833 Harbor Town Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20905

Chile Felipe Bulnes Monica Pellegrini Embassy: 1732 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-785-1746 Residence: 2305 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

China Cui Tiankai 3505 International Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-495-2000 Residence: 2301 S St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

Colombia Carlos Urrutia 2118 Leroy Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-387-8338 Residence: 1520 20th St. NW, 20036 Embassy:

Something surprising people don’t know about you?

I’m afraid of horses, but not of flying.

Charity/cause closest to your heart?

Children’s rights Historical figure you most admire and why?

Prince Henry, the Navigator (Portugal, 15th century) Favorite saying/quote?

“When in a hole, stop digging.”

The top issue on your agenda?

Syria and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership How do you like to spend your free time?

On the beach in Algarve, Portugal Favorite book/author?

“Sonetos” by Luís de Camões (a good translation is available at the University of Massachusetts, Center for Portuguese Studies).

What dish from home do you miss the most when you are away?

“Favas” (a kind of fava bean), fresh grilled fish Which American customs do you enjoy the most?

Their approach to volunteering and charitable causes.

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Embassy:

Croatia Jisko Paro Jasna Paro Embassy: 2343 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite F13, 20008 Telephone: 202-588-5899 Residence: 4871 Glenbrook Rd. NW, 20016 Ambassador: Spouse:

Cyprus George Chacalli 2211 R St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-462-5772 Residence: 2346 S St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

Ambassador:

Amb. João Vale de Almeida (Courtesy EU)

Cecile Diabaté 2424 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-797-0300 Residence: 5111 Broad Branch Rd. NW, 20008 Spouse:

Czech Republic Petr Gandalovic Pavlina Gandalovic Embassy: 3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-274-9100 Residence: 2612 Tilden St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

Comoros Kaambi Roubani 420 E. 50th St., New York, NY 10022 Telephone: 212-750-1637 Ambassador: Embassy:

Congo, Democratic Republic Of Dr. Faida Mitifu Dr. Maurice Shalishali embassy and residence: 1736 M St. NW, Suite 601, 20036 Telephone: 202-234-7690 Ambassador: Spouse:

Congo, Republic Of Serge Mombouli Stella Corine Mombouli Embassy: 1720 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-726-5500 Residence: 10809 Riverwood Dr., Potomac, MD 20854 Ambassador: Spouse:

Costa Rica

Denmark Peter Taksoe-Jensen Gitte Wallin Pedersen embassy and residence: 3200 Whitehaven St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-234-4300 Ambassador: Spouse:

Djibouti Roble Olhaye, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Spouse: Amina Farah Ahmed Olhaye Embassy: 1156 15th St. NW, Suite 515, 20005 Telephone: 202-331-0270 Residence: 10101 Sorrel Ave., Potomac, MD 20854 Ambassador:

Dominica

Meta Shannon Figueres Boggs Spouse: Santiago Felipe Real de Azua Embassy: 2114 S St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-480-2200 Residence: 2324 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008

Hubert John Charles Sylvia Charles Embassy: 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 Telephone: 202-364-6781 Residence: 17639 Charity Ln., Germantown, MD 20874

Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of

Ambassador:

Ambassador:

Ambassador:

Daouda Diabaté

WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

Ambassador: Spouse:

Dominican Republic Embassy:

Aníbal de Castro 1715 22nd St. NW, 20008

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202-332-6280 2930 Edgevale Terrace NW, 20008

Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-588-0101 Residence: 3633 Albemarle St. NW, 20008

Telephone: Residence:

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:

Ecuador

Ethiopia Girma Birru 3506 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-364-1200 Residence: 2209 Wyoming Ave., NW 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

European Union

Nathalie Cely Suárez Alvaro Ivan Hernandez Embassy: 2525 15th St NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-7200 Residence: 2320 Bancroft St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

Egypt

Head of delegation: 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

Fiji

Mohamed Mostafa Mohamed Tawfik Embassy: 3521 International Court NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-895-5400 Residence: 2301 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Winston Thompson Queenie Thompson Embassy: 2000 M St. NW, Suite 710, 20036 Telephone: 202-466-8320 Residence: 1435 Carrington Ridge Ln., Vienna, VA 22182 Ambassador: Spouse:

El Salvador

Finland

Ruben Ignacio Zamora Rivas Embassy: 1400 16th St. NW, Suite 100, 20036 Telephone: 202-595 7500 Residence: 5171 Macomb St. NW, 20016 Ambassador:

Ritva Koukku-Ronde Spouse: Hidde Ronde Embassy: 3301 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-298-5800 Residence: 3001 Woodland Dr. NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Equatorial Guinea Ruben Maye Nsue Mangue Embassy: 2020 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-518-5700 Residence: 4044 27th St., Arlington, VA 22207 Ambassador:

Eritrea Berhane Gebrehwet Solomon Embassy: 1708 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-319-1991 Residence: 7127 16th St. NW, 20012 chargé d’affaires:

Estonia Marina Kaljurand Spouse: Kalle Kaljurand Embassy: 2131 Massachusetts Ambassador:

France François Delattre Spouse: Sophie l’Helias-Delattre Embassy: 2509 Foxhall Road, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20007 Telephone: 202-944-6000 Residence: 2221 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Gabon Michael Moussa-Adamo Brigitte Moussa-Adamo Embassy: 2034 20th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-797-1000 Residence: 1630 Connecticut Ave. NW, 20009 Ambassador: Spouse:

Gambia Alieu Momodou Ngum Aminatta Ngum Embassy: 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 240, 20007 Telephone: 202-785-1379 Residence: 1941 Westchester Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20902 Ambassador: Spouse:

Georgia Archil Gegeshideze 2209 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-387-2390 Residence: 2807 Chesterfield Pl. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

Tebelelo Seretse, Botswana

Germany 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 Daniel Ohene Agyekum Rose Ohene Agyekum Embassy: 3512 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-686-4520 Ambassador: Spouse:

Peter Taksoe-Jensen, Denmark

Greece Christos Panagopoulos 2217 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-939-1300 Residence: 4740 Foxhall Crescent NW, 20007 Ambassador: Embassy:

Grenada Ethelstan Angus Friday 1701 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-265-2561 Ambassador: Embassy:

Constancio Pinto, East Timor

Guatemala Jose Julio Alejandro Ligorria Carballido Embassy: 2220 R St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-745-4953 Residence: 2839 Woodland Dr. NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Guinea Blaise Cherif Cecile Cherif Embassy: 2112 Leroy Pl. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

Nirupama Rao, India WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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Pu-tsung King

Taiwan (Republic of China)

202-986-4300 2948 Edgevale Terrace NW, 20008 Telephone: Residence:

Guyana Bayney Karran Donna Karran Embassy: 2490 Tracy Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-265-6900 Ambassador: Spouse:

Paul Altidor Meghan Altidor Embassy: 2311 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-4090 Ambassador: Spouse:

The Holy See Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano 3339 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-333-7121 Nuncio:

Embassy and Residence:

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:

Historical figure you most admire?

Napoleon, because he was a great military leader and he pulled himself up by his bootstraps.

Social event you look forward to every year?

The Dragon Boat Festival Charity/cause closest to your heart?

Supporting poor children to improve their lives and help them receive a better education.

Dish from home you miss the most?

Peking duck American customs you enjoy the most?

Christmas Eve Top issue on your agenda?

Strengthening Taiwan-U.S. economic relations

Iraq Lukman Faily Ms. Lameis Faily Embassy: 3006 Albermarle St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-742-1600 Spouse:

Ireland Anne Anderson 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-462-3939 Residence: 2244 S St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

Israel

Honduras

Something surprising people don’t know about you?

I have finished 27 triathlons. The last one was the Nation’s Triathlon held in Washington, D.C., on September 8, 2013.

Dino Patti Djalal Rosa Rai Djalal Embassy: 2020 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-775-5200 Residence: 2700 Tilden Ln. NW, 20008 Spouse:

Ambassador:

Haiti

Amb. Pu-tsung King and Tina King (Courtesy Taiwanese Embassy)

Indonesia Ambassador:

Hungary Gyorgy Szapary 3910 Shoemaker St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-362-6730 Residence: 2215 30th St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

Ron Dermer* 3514 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-364-5500 Ambassador: Embassy:

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: Spouse:

Jamaica Stephen Vasciannie Lisa Vasciannie Embassy: 1520 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-452-0660 Ambassador:

Iceland Ambassador: Gudmundur Arni Stefansson Spouse: Jona Dora Karlsdottir Embassy: House of Sweden, 2900 K St. NW, Suite 509 Telephone: 202-265-6653 Residence: 2443 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008

India Nirupama Rao Sudhakar Rao Embassy: 2107 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-939-7009 Residence: 2700 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008

Spouse:

Japan Kenichiro Sasae 2520 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-238-6700 Ambassador: Embassy:

Ambassador: Spouse:

Jordan Dr. Alia Hatoug-Bouran Ishaq Bouran Embassy: 3504 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-966-2664 Residence: 2456 Tracy Pl. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

* Named but awaiting credential at press time

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Kazakhstan Kairat Umarov Embassy: 1401 16th St. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-232-5488 Ambassador:

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:

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 Jeremiah Sulunteh Kabeh Sulunteh Embassy: 5201 16th St. NW, 20011 Telephone: 202-723-0437

Ambassador: Spouse:

Kosovo

Libya

Akan Ismaili Fitore Ismaili Embassy: 1101 30th St. NW, Suite 330/340, 20007 Telephone: 202-380-3581 Ambassador:

Ali Suleiman Aujali Naima M. Bseikri Embassy: 2600 Virginia Ave. NW, Suite 705, 20037 Telephone: 202-944-9601 Residence: 2201 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008

Spouse:

Ambassador: Spouse:

Kuwait Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Spouse: Rima Al-Sabah embassy and residence: 2940 Tilden St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-966-0702 Ambassador:

Liechtenstein Claudia Fritsche 2900 K St. NW, Suite 602-B, 20007 Telephone: 202-331-0590

Ambassador:

embassy and residence:

Kyrgyzstan

Lithuania

Muktar Djumaliev Spouse: Afel Akeneeva Embassy: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-449-9822 Residence: 4101 33rd Rd., Arlington, VA 22207 Ambassador:

Zygimantas Pavilionis Lina Pavilioniene Embassy: 2622 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-5860 Residence: 1112 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA 22101 Ambassador: Spouse:

Luxembourg

Laos Seng Soukhathivong Spouse: Somdy Soukhathivong Embassy: 2222 S St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-6416 Residence: 2222 S St. NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Jean-Louis Wolzfeld 2200 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-265-4171 Ambassador: Embassy:

Macedonia Zoran Jolevski Spouse: Suzana Jolevski embassy and residence: 2129 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-667-0501 Ambassador:

Latvia Andris Razans Spouse: Gunta Razane Embassy: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-328-2840 Ambassador:

Madagascar Velotiana R. Raobelina Spouse: Querry Raobelina embassy and Residence: 2374 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-265-5525 Chargé D’Affaires:

Lebanon Antoine Chedid Nicole Chedid Embassy: 2560 28th St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-939-6300 Residence: 2841 McGill Terrace NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

Malawi Stephen Dick Tennyson Matenje Spouse: Isabel Matenje Embassy: 1156 15th St., NW Telephone: 202-721-0270 Ambassador:

Malaysia Datuk Othman Hashim 3516 International Ct. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-572-9700 Ambassador: Embassy:

Amb.Mohamed Tawfik, Egypt

Maldives Ahmed Sareer 800 2nd Ave., Suite 200 E, New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-599-6195 Residence: 13 River Rd., Apt. 17C, New York, NY 10044 Ambassador: Embassy:

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:

Malta

Winston Thompson, Fiji

Ambassador: Marisa Maria Louise Micallef 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:

François Delattre, France

Mauritania Mohamed Lemine El Haycen Spouse: Laaziza Houzali Embassy: 2129 Leroy Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-232-5700 Residence: 2339 S St. NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Mauritius Somduth Soborum Omila Devi Soborum Embassy: 1709 N St. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-244-1491 Ambassador: Spouse:

Ali Suleiman Aujali, Libya WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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ALPINE DIPLOMACY Don and Megan Beyer at home in Switzerland B y J o h n Ar u n d e l

I

t was a call on his cell phone from the White House that even the most jaded Washingtonian would envy.

Donald S. Beyer Jr. was stuck in traffic when the call came shortly after President Obama’s first inauguration in 2009. “I was told the President wanted us to go overseas, but all they would say was, ‘We hope you like mountains and chocolate,’” Beyer chuckles.“And all I could think was ‘I hope they don’t make chocolate in Afghanistan.’”

After a lifetime of business, community service and public office in his native Virginia, Beyer was tapped by President Obama to serve

as the 47th U. S. ambassador to Switzerland, one of the most plum postings for anyone willing to serve their country overseas.

At that moment, stuck in Washington’s notorious gridlock, the possibility of being transported to a picturesque land of plunging valleys, snowy pastures and rocky mountains for a lifelong hiker could not have been more welcome. Beyer was also credentialed as U.S. envoy to Liechtenstein, the postage stamp-sized principality just over the Swiss border “It was unexpected and such a thrill to be asked,” he said during a recent interview in Switzerland, shortly before returning to Washington after his

four-year tenure.

As a congratulatory gift, his wife Megan bought him a Swiss Army watch for the long hikes he craves. They rented their historic homein Old Town, Alexandria and moved to Bern, Switzerland, with teenage daughters Grace and Clara in tow.

Having been connected to Washington’s power, social, political and philanthropic scenes for decades, the Beyers found no shortage of longtime friends and extended family willing to follow them there. During his four-year appointment, which ended in June, the Beyers logged in hundreds of

Megan and Don Beyer (Photo by John Arundel)

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roland 3 TK

overnight guests, including longtime friends project, and George and Trish from the worlds of politics, media and Vradenburg, co-founders of philanthropy who experienced the Beyers’ USAgainstAlzheimer’s, 46 men and six women join the ranksreceived of the Embassy Row community newly acquired European diplomatic skills honors at a dinner attended by along with traditional hospitality from their Swiss scientists seeking a cure for B y R OLAND F LAMINI native Virginia. that disease.

The family moved into an historic Politico Editor John Harris 30,000-square-foot diplomatic residence, handicapped the 2012 presidential Washington’s complex He was were TheyBr were so “Blumenrain,” perchedpower on agrid. peninsula race 18 andPh.D.s.

Nancy inker, most recently the Spanish ambassador to in South and at the same time overlooking breathtaking Alps the Moroccan, founder of Susan G. Komen for Africa, and—then Sudan. distance part of a secure compound so theAmerican.”

Cure, spoke on progress being The Beyers with Stefan Lippe and Gabriela Lippe-Holst The includes immediatethe challenge, Gil-Casares Bouhlal another which embassy’s consular says, and made towardsucceeded the eradication of (Courtesy photo) “is the fact that the U.S. is looking at Spain of Washington’s high-profile, political offices. breast cancer. “Mr. Jefferson had a through the lens traffic of the Eurocrisis, when there prominent ambassadorial Washington faded to memory as socially broad view of the world, having his generation.

Yes we had protests, butand to Claire and Al Dwoskin, Cynthia Vance are stillwalked a lot ofto opportunities for cooperation.”

— aAziz and Maria Felice Mekouar.

He improve Beyer work each morning past the couples served as diplomat in Europe, Beyer said. not to depose the regime.”

Lu Ann things, Bennett might have been visiting the His to vistas his American is to Mekouar him his Rolodex sort message of majestic you’d findcontacts on a box of says “These forumsleft were a tribute to him.”and was residence, In Sonia Merlyn Johnny’s term joined by others such as first Robert F. broaden the narrative and “look beyond the generous with background information.

“It as Toblerone chocolates. They found the Swiss The Beyers entertained frequently at the ambassador of Kate the Caribbean island of Kennedy Jr. and Michaelman. [headline] story to and things tomost do helps a lotsubsidizing to meet thethe friends of entertainment a friend,” says Saint capital of Bern bepinpoint one of Europe’s residence, meager Lucia from 1997toward to 2000, burning Discussions leaned thethe business of together.”

Well, in business: whose by most post was Berlin, charming For and example? relaxing cities, one barely Bouhlal, budget allowed therecent state department with issue was bananas. her the second term, it’s American diplomacyInwith Beyers hosting there areinstill many Spanish firms investing but who has also served as secretary general of changed over 500 years. personal resources earned from decades in rum.

“When I first about became the serious exchanges theambassador, Swiss banking in the United States.

“Inmodern fact, there more ministry of foreign Compared to more citiesaresuch as Morocco’s the automotive business.

“The affairs. family business banana wars were Swiss the main problem,systems and I industry, U.S. and agriculture companies from Spain doing in hasAnother of Bouhlal’s Zurich or Geneva, the views frombusiness every street always been a greatprojects platformis to foroversee public was lobbying onofCapitol for the poor and the progress climate Hill change.

America than U.S. companies in Spain,” he the construction corner and alleyway of Bern’s Old Town are service,” he said. of a new Moroccan embassy banana farmers in ourhis island,” Johnny Beyer approached position with recalled gravitas, notes.

“They cover infrastructure, energy, which ground has already been broken. breathtaking. Quiet, cobbled lanes are sided for On their first Christmas in Bern, friends recently.

In take the on 1990s, the European unafraid to intractable issues thatUnion other management — Spanish trains with are operating newpiled building is complete he imposed by sandstone arcaded buildings clustered When from alltheover into the 12-bedroom tariffs onhave Caribbean bananas sold ambassadors might shied away from, such in the with United to convert the current embassy on 21st roofs, theStates.” fast-moving River Are slicing intends residence for caroling, holiday revelry and through major like as confronting theU.S. Swiss conglomerates government on bank He wants to deepen contacts with the Street Massachusetts Avenue NW those into Chiquita, through the town. skiing and in the nearby Alps. Not unlike andthat thathad hitallowed Saint Lucia secrecy laws scoresfarmers of U.S. Hispanic Spanish-American community. embassy residence.

The currenttoresidence The and Beyers set out to make their the hosted by the late Ambassador France, hard.

The U.S. retaliated by imposing companies and citizens to hide assets andtariffs cheat “There is an influential Hispanic leadership social mark in Bern. At the ambassador’s on certain European goods and took the case their taxes. that was not there 20 whenofI was residence, perched onyears the ago grounds the Not unlike those hosted by to the a TheWorld Beyers’Trade publicOrganization, diplomacy, thewhere ultimate in New York,” he says.

“We obviously have 19th-century cottage they launched a series of compromise was eventually worked out. “soft power,” earned them high marks en poste. the late Ambassador to France, more common sector the elegantinlunches and with salon this dinners theyofcalled Now Johnny wantsnew to dissuade thethe Puerto “Don Beyer brought energy to job,” Pamela Harriman, their 4th of Rican American population, andconnect it’s easier for us “The Jefferson Forum” to prominent government subsidizing local said Manuel Sager,from the Swiss ambassador as Spaniardstoto Swiss approach the United States Americans intellectuals. “Thomas July parties were legendary. rum makers, giving them anreawakened unfair market to the United States. “He the through them.”

A bachelor, Gil-Casares Jefferson was known to enjoy the company advantage Caribbean rum producers. relationship over in many great ways.

We were simply is fourth ambassador occupy the in Potomac is gracious and imposing —were but “We of the brightest minds, and totolearn as much Pamela Harriman, their 4th of July parties arebyseeking to have a frank open amazed his eagerness to visit everyand nook and residence purpose-built by thesaid Spanish bit of a schlep. as possible from every encounter,” Beyer, alegendary.

Actress Geena Davis and producer discussion on country, this problem Puerto cranny of the climbwith everythe mountain, architect Rafael Moneo.lieutenant governor Quincy Bouhlal is showed in the up happy position of Ricans,” who served as Virginia’s Jones one year, while the she says. and strengthen the U.S./Swiss relationship.”

Another new ambassador who representing a country brighter side of for eight years.relatively

bluegrass band Vincenton & the Dailey entertained Johnny was one of two female chiefs of Beyer made much of Alpine wonders, wants engage diaspora is Mohamed so-called Arab Spring.

The kingdom has mission Liketo the livelythe salons Thomas Jefferson the guests in the embassy’s expansive gardens. “We presented their411,000 credentials on climbingwho 40 peaks and skiing vertical Rachad Bouhlal of Morocco. are averted the the violence in July hosted at Monticello, no topic “There was sacred. made sure housethat waserupted always elsewhere full of Swiss is also climber, her country’s feet. 30.

An She inveterate he alsorepresentative climbed two around 300,000 Moroccan-Americans,” the Arab world by introducing constitutional Terrorism expert Marc Sageman explained enjoying our American style of entertaining,” to the Organization of American Statesand Gran (OAS).

4,000-meter mountains, Das Breithorn Bouhal says. “Iinrecently gave a lunch to get reform, re-defining recent trends global neo-Jihadi terrorism, Megan Beyer said. the power of the monarch A graduate Georgetown University Paradiso, eachofabout 2.5 miles, straight up. Law to know some explored of them the from the ofgreater creating an independent Carol Pensky issues death andOn any given week, such judiciary. friends as“King Russ School, Hopkins “I’mand 62 SAIS now,”(Johns he said.

“And IUniversity think my Washington were VI put himself Roger at the head the Nitze and dying, Dr.area; Craigthey Venter led a charming, tutorial on Mohamed and Norma Ramsey, and of Vicki School of AdvancedmyInternational time in Switzerland made doctor very very well educated, and among them there reforms,” Bouhlal says. “He’s tunedWyatt, in to Studies) the progress of the human genome mapping Sant, Cate Magennis and Steve happy.” her American husband is a USAID

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Kenichiro Sasae Japan

Ambassador: Eduardo Tomas Medina-Mora Icaza Spouse: Laura Perez de Medina-Mora Embassy: 1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW 20006 Telephone: 202 728-1600

Micronesia Asterio R. Takesy Justina Yangilmau Takesy Embassy: 1725 N St. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-223-4383 Ambassador: Spouse:

Amb. Kenichiro Sasae with House Speaker John Boehner (Flickr)

What’s something surprising Americans don’t know about your country/customs/culture/history?

Hello Kitty and I are colleagues. While the Japanese government has chosen me to be Japan’s Ambassador to the U.S., it has also chosen Hello Kitty as Japan’s cultural ambassador.

Your favorite vacation spot in your country?

My favorite place is the foot of Mt. Fuji, particularly Lake Yamanakako. I enjoy going to Kyoto and the hot springs in Tohoku and Hokkaido as well.

Which historical figure do you most admire?

I admire Munemitsu Mutsu, who served as foreign minister in the late 19th century, and Mike Mansfield, former Senate majority leader and U.S. ambassador to Japan. Both men had long-term strategic visions for their countries and the world.

What social event do you look forward to the most every year?

The National Cherry Blossom Festival of course!

How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy hiking in this area. The natural landscapes here are wonderful.

Favorite book/author?

When it comes to American writers, my favorite authors are F. Scott Fitzgerald, J.D. Salinger and Ken Follett.

What dish from home do you miss the most when you are away?

Ramen and okonomiyaki (Japanese style pancakes) Which American customs do you enjoy the most?

Barbecue. Every summer, we host a big Japanese-style barbecue at my residence.

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Embassy:

Nauru Marlene Moses 800 2nd Ave. #400-A, New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-937-0074 Ambassador:

embassy and residence:

Nepal Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma Kalpana Sharma Embassy: 2131 Leroy Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-667-4550 Residence: 2730 34th Pl. NW, 20007 Ambassador:

Moldova Igor Munteanu Angela Munteanu Embassy: 2101 S St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-667-1130 Ambassador: Spouse:

Spouse:

Netherlands

Mongolia Altangerel Bulgaa Embassy: 2833 M St. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-333-7117 Residence: 1021 Iron Gate Rd., Potomac, MD 20854 Ambassador:

Rudolf Simon Bekink Gabrielle Bekink Embassy: 4200 Linnean Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 877-388-2443 Residence: 2347 S St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

New Zealand

Monaco Gilles Alexandre Noghès Spouse: Ellen Noghès Embassy: 4000 Connecticut Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-234-1530 Residence: 2315 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Montenegro Srdjan Darmanovic Spouse: Aneta Spaic Embassy: 1610 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-6108 Ambassador:

Morocco Mohamed 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 Adriano Fernandes Sumbana Embassy: 1990 M St. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-293-7146 Ambassador: Spouse:

Namibia Ambassador:

Caroline Andjaba 1605 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-986-0540 Residence: 10108 Iron Gate Rd., Potomac, MD 20854 Spouse:

Mexico

Martin Andjaba

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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 Hooker Spouse: Miriam Hooker Embassy: 1627 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-939-6570 Residence: 6434 Brookes Ln., Bethesda, MD 20816 Ambassador:

Niger Maman Sambo Sidikou Spouse: Fatima Djibo-Sidikou Embassy: 2204 R St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-483-4224 Residence: 3100 Argyle St. NW, 20011 Ambassador:

Nigeria Adebowale Adefuye Catherine Adefuye Embassy: 3519 International Ct. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-986-8400 Ambassador: Spouse:

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Embassy: 1700 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-833-9860 Residence: 3001 Garrison St. NW, 20008

Norway Kaare Reidar Aas 2720 34th St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-333-6000 Residence: 3401 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20007 Ambassador: Embassy:

Philippines Jose L. Cuisia Jr. Maria Victoria Jose Embassy: 1600 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-467-9300 Residence: 2253 R St. NW 20008 Ambassador:

Oman

Spouse:

Ambassador: Hunaina Sultan al-Mughairy Spouse: Fuad al-Hinai Embassy: 2535 Belmont Rd. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-387-1980 Residence: 2000 24th St. NW, 20008

Poland Ryszard Schnepf 2640 16th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-3800 Residence: 3041 Whitehaven St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

Pakistan Shehrbano “Sherry” Rehman Spouse: Nadeem Hussain Embassy: 3517 International Ct. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-243-6500 Residence: 2343 S St. NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Portugal

Palau Hersey Kyota Spouse: Lydia Shmull Kyota Embassy: 1800 K St. NW #714, 200006 Telephone: 202-452-6814 Residence: 6423 13th St. Alexandria, VA 22307 Ambassador:

Panama Mario E. Jaramillo Elsa Jaramillo Embassy: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-483-1407 Residence: 2601 29th St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

Papua New Guinea Evan Jeremy Paki Embassy: 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 805 Telephone: 202-745-3680 Ambassador:

Paraguay Fernando Antonio Pfannl Caballero Embassy: 2400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-483-6960 Residence: 3238 Broad Branch Terrace NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Qatar Ambassador: Mohamed Bin Abdulla M. Al-Rumaihi Embassy: 2555 M St. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-274-1600 Residence: 4839 Indian Ln. NW, 20016

Romania Adrian Vierita Codrina Eugenia Vierita Embassy: 1607 23rd St. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-332-4829 Residence: 2500 30th St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

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:

Rwanda Ambassador:

Mathilde Mukantabana

Spouse:

1714 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-232-2882 Residence: 1752 Sycamore Embassy:

Peru Harold Forsyth Verónica Forsyth

Ambassador: Spouse:

Ambassador: Nuno Filipe Alves Salvador e Brito Spouse: Rofa Batoreu Embassy and Residence: 2125 Kalorama Rd. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-328-8610

St. NW, 20012

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 Embassy: 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 Telephone: 202-364-6792

Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, Nepal

Ambassador:

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines La Celia A. Prince 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, 20016 Telephone: 202-364-6730 Ambassador: Embassy:

Samoa Ali’ioaiga Feturi Elisaia Maria Lei Sam-Elisaia Embassy: 800 2nd Ave., Suite 400-J, New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-599-6196 Ambassador: Spouse:

Jose L. Cuisia Jr., Philippines

Sao Tome and Principe 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:

Saudi Arabia Adel Al-Jubeir Farah Meshal D. Alfayez Embassy: 601 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-342-3800 Ambassador: Spouse:

La Celia A. Prince, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Senegal Cheikh Niang 2031 Florida Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-0540 Ambassador: Embassy:

Serbia Vladimir Petrovic Adela Antic Petrovic Embassy: 2134 Kalorama Rd. NW 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

Vladimir Petrovic, Serbia WA S H I N G T O N L I F E

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Gyorgy Szapary Hungary

Top issue on your agenda?

Several hundred U.S. companies are operating in Hungary with investments totaling $9 billion. My goal is to find ways of further developing U.S.-Hungarian business opportunities.

Strengthening people-toAmb. Gyorgy Szapary people and cultural ties is (Courtesy Hungarian Embassy) always high on my agenda. In this regard, I am particularly proud of the very successful participation of Hungary at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival this summer.

202-332-0333 4935 Loughboro Rd. NW, 20016 Telephone: Residence:

Seychelles Ronald Jean Jumeau 800 2nd Ave. Suite 400 C, New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-972-1785 Ambassador: Embassy:

Sierra Leone Bockari Kortu Stevens Musu Stevens Embassy: 1701 19th St. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-939-9261 Residence: 4821 Colorado Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

Singapore

Something surprising people don’t know about you?

I fled Hungary after the Soviet army crushed the 1956 revolution and lived for nearly three decades in D.C. working at the IMF. I returned to Hungary in early 1990 after the fall of communism. My two sons were born in Bethesda and live in the U.S.

Ashok Kumar Mirpuri Gouri Mirpuri Embassy: 3501 International Pl. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-537-3100 Residence: 2620 Rock Creek Dr. NW, 20008

Something surprising Americans don’t know about your country/customs/culture/history?

Hungarians won the most summer Olympic gold medals per capita in the world. According to Ernst and Young’s annual ranking, Hungary is one of the top 10 most globalized nations on earth.

Peter Kmec 3523 International Ct. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-237-1054 Residence: 7718 Carlton Pl., McLean, VA 22102

Charity/cause closest to your heart?

Many churches in Hungary were neglected during communism and I have helped restore several that in some ways are tied to my family.

Which historical figure do you most admire?

Charles de Gaulle for his role after World War II in restoring the strength of the French republic and the dignity of a great nation.

Ambassador: Spouse:

Slovak Republic Ambassador: Embassy:

Slovenia Dr. Božo Cerar 2410 California Street NW Washington, D.C. 20008 Telephone: 202-386-6601 Residence: 2412 California St. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

Solomon Islands Collin David Beck Helen Beck Embassy: 800 2nd Ave., Suite 400L, New York, NY, 10017 Telephone: 212-599-6192 Ambassador: Spouse:

Your favorite saying/quote?

“Experience is that wonderful thing that allows you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.”

Historical figure with whom you most identify?

Lajos Kossuth, a great Hungarian statesman, fought for freedom and independence during the revolution against the Habsburgs in 1848 and after it was crushed kept on fighting for his cause.

Dish from home you miss the most?

Szilvásgombóc, a Hungarian plum dumpling dessert.

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South Africa Ebrahim Rasool Roseida Shabodien Embassy: 3400 International Dr. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-232-4400 Residence: 4847 Rockwood Parkway, 20016 Ambassador: Spouse:

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South Korea Ahn Ho-young 2450 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-939-5600 Residence: 4801 Glenbrough Ave., 20017 Ambassador: Embassy:

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 Subhas Chandra Mungra Dharmkoemarie Mungra Embassy: 4301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 460, 20008 Telephone: 202-244-7488 Residence: 7000 31st St. NW, 20015 Ambassador: Spouse:

Swaziland Rev. Abednego Mandla Ntshangase Spouse: Phindile Ntshangase Embassy: 1712 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20009 Telephone: 202-234-5002 Ambassador:

Sweden Bjoern Olof Lyrvall 1501 M St. NW, 20005 Telephone: 202-467-2600 Residence: 3900 Nebraska Ave. NW, 20016 Ambassador: Embassy:

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Ivan Hernandez, Ecuador Amb. Nathalie Cely Jimmy Williams and Melissa Maxwell

Mylene Walden and Rep. Greg Walden

Jane Grunstra, Terese Casey and Sen. Robert Casey

Ambassadors Ball J.W. Marriott, Washington, D.C. | PHOTOS BY KYLE SAMPERTON GLOBAL GATHERING: Ambassadors from more than 30 countries donned the traditional red rose boutonniere in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s 35th annual gathering. The evening featured nearly 250 silent auction standouts — including a dinner with the Canadian Ambassador that went for $6,000 — helping the organization raise $850,000 to find a cure for a disease that affects 400,000 Americans and more than 2 million worldwide. Chaired by Sen. Bob Casey’s wife Terese Casey and Rep. Greg Walden’s wife Mylene Walden, the evening also honored Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Richard Burr and former U. S. Chief of Protocol Capricia Marshall for their efforts to increase awareness about the debilitating illness.

Joshua Walker, Azerbaijan Amb. Elin Suleymanov, French Amb. François Delattre

Sen. Richard Shelby and Annette Shelby

View all the photos at www.washingtonlife.com

Kelly Williams, Michael Steele, Robert Carr and Marcellus Alexander

Michael Beckerman and Jessica Emery

Trinidad and Tobago Amb. Neil Parsan, St. Vincent and The Grenadines Amb. La Celia Prince and Barbados Amb. John Beale

Kalpana Sharma, Nepalese Amb. Shankar Prasad Sharma and Philippines Amb. Maria Cuisia

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Michael Olding and Liechenstein Amb. Claudia Fritsche

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Switzerland Manuel Sager Christine Sager Embassy: 2900 Cathedral Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-745-7900 Residence: 2920 Cathedral Ave. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

Syria Chargé d’affaires: Adel

Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka

Ali Ahmed Alsunaini Spouse: Abir Fahel Embassy: 2215 Wyoming Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-232-6313 Residence: 2833 McGill Terrace NW, 20008

Taiwan (Republic of China) Pu-tsung King Tina King Embassy: 4201 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 20016 Telephone: 202-895-1800 Residence: 3225 Woodley Rd. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Spouse:

Olexander Motsyk, Ukraine

Tajikistan Nuriddin Shamsov 1005 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 20037 Telephone: 202-223-6090 Residence: 4629 2nd St. South, Arlington, VA 22204 Ambassador: Embassy:

Tanzania Liberata Rutageruka Mulamula Embassy: 2139 R St., 20008 Telephone: 202-939-6125 Ambassador:

Thailand Chaiyong Satjipanon Embassy: 1024 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 401, 20007 Telephone: 202-944-3600 Residence: 2145 Decatur Pl. NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Sir Peter Westmacott, United Kingdom

Togo Ambassador: Limbiye Edawe Kadangha Bariki Spouse: Assozimana Balouki Embassy: 2208 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-234-4212 Residence: 1615 Crittenden St. NW, 20010

Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Vietnam 64

Tonga Ambassador: 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

Trinidad & Tobago 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 Mokhtar Chaouachi 1515 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20005 Telephone: 202-862-1850 Residence: 5131 Broad Branch Rd. NW, 20008 Ambassador: Embassy:

Turkey

United Kingdom Sir Peter Westmacott Lady (Susie) Westmacott Embassy: 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-588-6500 Ambassador: Spouse:

Uruguay Juan Carlos Pita Alvariza 1913 I St. NW, 20006 Telephone: 202-331-1313 Residence: 9001 Clewerwall Dr., Bethesda, MD 20817 Ambassador: Embassy:

Uzbekistan Bakhtiyar Turadjanovich Gulyamov Ambassador:

1746 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20036 Telephone: 202-887-5300 Embassy and residence:

Venezuela

Namik Tan Spouse: Fügen Tan Embassy: 2525 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-612-6700 Residence: 1606 23rd St. NW, 20008 Ambassador:

Turkmenistan Meret Bairamovich Orazov Spouse: Irina Borisovna Orazova Embassy: 2207 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-588-1500 Ambassador:

Uganda Oliver Wonekha 5911 16th St. NW, 20011 Telephone: 202-726-7100 Residence: 4000 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20016 Ambassador: Embassy:

Charge d’affaires: Calixto Ortega Rios Embassy:

1099 30th St. NW, 20007 202-342-2214

Telephone:

Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Cuong Ha Hoang Cuong Embassy: 1233 20th St. NW, Suite 400, 20036 Telephone: 202-861-0737 Ambassador: Spouse:

Yemen Abdulwahab A. Al-Hajjri 2319 Wyoming Ave. NW, 200008 Telephone: 202-965-4760 Residence: 4850 Glenbrook Rd. NW, 20016 Ambassador: Embassy:

Zambia Palan Mulonda 2419 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 20008 Telephone: 202-265-9717 Ambassador: Embassy:

Ukraine Olexander Motsyk Natalia Terletskaya Embassy: 3350 M St. NW, 20007 Telephone: 202-349-2920 Residence: 4744 Foxhall Crescent NW, 20007 Ambassador: Spouse:

United Arab Emirates Yousef Al Otaiba Abeer Al Otaiba

Ambassador: Spouse:

Embassy: 3522 International Ct. NW, Suite 400, 20008 Telephone: 202-243-2400

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:

All photos courtesy of embassies, file and Flickr.

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Stuart Holliday

President/CEO, The Meridian International Center

Diplomatic Double Speak “Diplomatic Immunity,” former Portuguese Embassy press and cultural attaché Bernardo Teixeira’s satire of the world of foreign diplomacy, may have been published more than 40 years ago but is still a hilarious read. Few have matched his skill at uncovering the “quivering irrelevancies of diplomatic posture and the incompetence underneath” as diplomats “constantly strive to out-do each other with prestige, international importance, and rank.” Here, a selection of his diplomatic clichés and their true meaning to the initiate:

Cliché: “My country views with alarm …”

Meaning: Someone is putting something over on us but we don’t know what.

Cliché: “Traditional bonds of friendship unite our two countries.” Meaning: We haven’t been at war for the last decade.

Cliché: “The problem should be solved with justice and equality for all parties concerned.”

Meaning: There is only one solution. The one we propose.

Cliché: “Warm personal greetings from the ambassador.”

Meaning: Insincerely yours Cliché: “Unable to accept your kind invitation because of a previous engagement.”

Meaning: We are not accepting your invitation because your parties are not important enough.

Cliché: “The Embassy is very grateful for the Department of State’s kind understanding of this matter, but …”

Meaning: They got it all wrong again!

Cliché: “Without questioning the good faith of your statement, we find it misleading.”

Meaning: We think you are a bloody liar.

Stuart Holliday (Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian) How was your interest in diplomacy sparked?

It started as a family affair and an expression of my own interest in how the world works. My father was a diplomat and I was born at a U.S. embassy in Malawi. I attended the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, was in Naval Officer Candidate School and received a master’s from the London School of Economics.

Your greatest achievements in government?

Serving as special assistant to the president was a great honor. I was responsible for building the administration’s leadership team in foreign policy, defense, homeland security and intelligence. My job as ambassador at the U.N. Security Council was a unique experience at a challenging time. Peacekeeping was a big part of that and I am proud of the work we did to stabilize Sudan, Haiti and Côte d’Ivoire.

What do you consider your greatest achievement at Meridian?

First, it’s a team effort. We have been able to grow our major partnership with the State Department in global leadership development in critical areas – such as entrepreneurship – and as a cultural diplomacy center. We are now more global and work extensively overseas in places like Johannesburg, Dakar, Stockholm, New Delhi, and Beijing. Our cultural diplomacy program is also world class with major partnerships in China, the UAE, and India, among others.

Why is Meridian Ball on Oct. 18 a must-attend event?

Every ball has its own character, and is a constant anchor of Washington civic life. We have tireless ball chairs, and we could not do it without the support and involvement of over 25 embassies that host pre-ball dinners. It will be a magical evening — the South of France meets Washington. (Friday, October 18th, 2013) Charity/cause closest to your heart?

Besides Meridian, the Humane Society Favorite book this year?

“Startup Rising” by my friend Chris Schroeder. It’s the underreported story of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Middle East.

Political figure you most admire?

Winston Churchill for taking the long view.

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Architects of the City Beautiful

America’s top architects adorned the capital with magnificent buildings in the Beaux-Arts style

T

he 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, nicknamed “the White City,” featured magnificent plaster buildings that looked like European palaces, large man-made lagoons and broad Parisian-style boulevards, all of which amazed and delighted the thousands of people who visited there. This spectacular display spawned a wave of enthusiasm for Beaux-Arts architecture which became known as the City Beautiful Movement.

Fortunately, Washington was one of the cities to benefit most, thanks in part to the McMillan Commission established in 1901, to complete implementation of Pierre L’Enfant’s 1791 plan for the nation’s capital.

Washington was just starting to be a real city by 1901. Boss Shepherd, the territorial mayor of Washington, built muchneeded infrastructure for the overcrowded, haphazardly designed District of Columbia, and soon some of his wealthy friends began to buy land and build mansions in the neighborhoods he was improving. One such area was Dupont Circle, which until then had been a marshland and dumping ground.

The effect of the new palatial homes being built there was jarring, and as one local columnist described it, “Everywhere there are superb residences looking out upon fields of red clay and weeds and flanked on either side by shanties.” He went on to say: “When this process is completed in Washington, it will be, among cities, the wonder of the world.” With the influence of the City Beautiful Movement and the brilliant young architects who were hired to

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design imposing residences for the wealthy, Washington indeed fulfilled its promise.

At the turn of the last century, the best and brightest architects attended l’Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, a school started by Louis XIV to train architects and designers to build the palace of Versailles. Pierre L’Enfant attended this venerable institution, as did his father before him. At l’Ecole circa 1900, the students received rigorous training in creating and perfecting new architectural models based on classic Greco-Roman buildings, embellishing them with flourishes of ornamental stone carvings, iron balconies, arched windows, and classic columns and pediments. The style was called Beaux-Arts, and after it appeared at the Chicago World’s Fair, it reached new levels of expression in Washington, where both money and ego were running high. The city was a mecca for nouveaux riches businessmen who came to lobby government officials and network in a social milieu that was easier to break into than New York. With the Gilded Era at its peak, there were plenty of gifted architects available to produce the building style that was in vogue. Later, when the Great Depression took its toll and the era of opulence came to an end, the only buyers for these mansions with gigantic salons and dining rooms were foreign embassies. Massachusetts Avenue, which had been known as Millionaire’s Row, became Embassy Row. Here are four of the brilliant architects, all students of l’Ecole des Beaux-Arts, who left their indelible mark on this city. >>

The Clarence More House

Jules Henri de Sibour Descended from French nobility, de Sibour grew up in the U.S., graduated from Yale, went on to l’Ecole in Paris and then to Bruce Price’s prestigious architecture firm in New York, where he began getting impor tant commissions, especially in Washington. These included, among others, the McCormick Apartment Building at 1785 Massachusetts Avenue NW, the Thomas Gaff House, Jules Henri de Sibour now the Columbian Embassy at 1520 20th Street NW, and the Wilkins House at 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, now the Peruvian Chancery. The house

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he designed for Clarence Moore, a coal and gas magnate from West Virginia, has been described as the purest example of French Beaux-Arts architecture in Washington. At 1746 Massachusetts Avenue, it is now the Embassy of Uzbekistan. De Sibour was prolific and designed office buildings, banks and clubs, as well as the Jefferson Hotel and the Chevy Chase Club.

and now the Inter-American Defense Board.

Totten designed 10 embassy buildings and even more that eventually became embassies, including the Everett House for the man who invented the crimped metal bottle cap, at 1606 23rd Street, now the Turkish Embassy residence. Two of his best examples of Beaux-Arts architecture are the Christian Hauge House at 2349 Massachusetts Avenue, now the Embassy of Cameroon and the Moran House at 2315 Massachusetts Avenue, now the Embassy of Pakistan.

The Edward H. Everett House

George Oakley Totten Jr. You can’t talk about embassies in Washington without marveling at the many splendid works of George Oakley Totten Jr. and the influence of his patron, Mary Foote Henderson, who built a castle for herself on 16th Street NW, when the area was farmland, and then set to work to raise property values in the area. She even lobbied to get the White House moved to her neighborhood. When Congress refused, she offered to build a mansion there for the vice president, but was turned down because it was thought to be too fancy for the second-highest ranking official in the land. She then Franklin MacVeagh hired Totten to build mansions on the land she had purchased, to sell to socialites and embassies. This time her plan worked. Among Totten’s best-known creations is the “Pink Palace” at 2600 16th Street NW, a Venetian palazzo he built in 1909 for Secretary of the Treasury Franklin MacVeagh,

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The Franklin MacVeagh House

Nathan C. Wyeth No relation to the Wyeth family of painters, Nathan C. Wyeth’s catalog of designs in Washington goes on and on, but to name a few, he designed the Gibson Fahnestock House at 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, now the Embassy of Haiti, the Sarah Wyeth House at 2305 Massachusetts Avenue, now the Embassy of Malawi, and Franklin MacVeagh’s second mansion at 2829 16th Street, now the Mexican Cultural Institute, a colossal construction with 26 rooms, that was reputed to have the biggest dining room in the city.

The grand villa Wyeth built at 1125 16th Street for the widow of George Pullman, the inventor of the Pullman sleeping car, was purchased in 1913 by Russia, went through many changes during the turbulent history of Russia vs. the Soviet Union, and is now the Russian Embassy residence.

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White-Meyer House

John Russell Pope When this gifted architect came back to America after 12 years of study abroad, he received many impressive commissions to build private residences up and down the East Coast. He built two mansions on Crescent Place NW, one for Henry White and the other for Ambassador Irwin Boyle Laughlin, that is now Mer idian House International.

The palatial home John Russell Pope he built for wealthy diplomat Robert S. McCormick at 3000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, now the Brazilian Embassy residence, is recognized as one of the finest examples of his own restrained interpretation of Beaux-Arts styling. His use of gently rounded domes, stately measured spaces and Greco-Roman columns resulted in some of the most treasured buildings in Washington, including Constitution Hall, the National Archives Building, the National Gallery of Art’s West Building, and last but not least, the Jefferson Memorial.

Donna Evers, devers@eversco.com is the owner and broker of Evers & Co. Real Estate, the largest woman-owned and run real estate firm in the Washington Metro area, the proprietor of Twin Oaks Tavern Winery in Bluemont, Va., and a devoted student of Washington area history.

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