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DIRECTORY
EXCEPTIONALENVOYS
Former Chief of Protocol Selwa S. (“Lucky”) Roosevelt’s short list of the most
outstanding ambassadors to serve in Washington over the past 50 years
Jose Maria Areilza, Count of Motrico, (right), was the Spanish
ambassador assigned to Washington just as relations with Spain were
being normalized following the rupture in bilateral relations after the
Spanish Civil War. I was a young reporter writing a column about
Washington society, with emphasis on the diplomatic corps. Thus I had
a chance to observe the way this extraordinary man wooed the movers
and shakers of the capital. He and the Countess entertained with great
elegance after refurbishing the embassy on 16th Street NW and creating a beautiful
ballroom. Their New Year’s Eve party became the most prized invitation in Washington.
Cordial diplomatic relations between the United States and Spain were gradually restored
and much of it was due to this brilliant and dedicated diplomat. He brought some
outstanding junior diplomats with him as well, such as Luis de Pedroso (left), who later
became the Count of Madan as well as Spanish ambassador to the O.A.S.
British Ambassador Sir Antony Acland (pictured here with me when I
was chief of protocol during the Reagan years) was a handsome
widower. All the great hostesses vied for his attention, but later he
married the adorable Jenny and together they were an exceptional
couple that represented the very best of Britain. I will never forget the
ball they gave at the embassy in my honor. After his tour of duty in
Washington he returned to the U.K. and became the Provost of Eton at
the time when Prince William and Prince Harry were students there.
TURKEY
AMBASSADOR: Serdar
Kılıç
Sinem Kılıç
EMBASSY: 2525 Massachusetts
Ave. NW 20008
TELEPHONE: 202-612-6729
RESIDENCE: 1606 23rd St. NW, 20008
SPOUSE: Zeliha
TURKMENISTAN
AMBASSADOR: Meret
Bairamovich Orazov
Irina Borisovna Orazova
EMBASSY: 2207 Massachusetts
Ave. NW 20008
TELEPHONE: 202 588 1500
SPOUSE:
TUVALU
Aunese Makoi Simati
Sunema Pie Simati
EMBASSY: : 800 Second Ave., Suite
400D, New York, NY, 10017
TELEPHONE: 212-490-0534
AMBASSADOR
SPOUSE::
UGANDA
AMBASSADOR: Oliver
Wonekha
16th Street NW 20011
TELEPHONE: 202-726-7100
RESIDENCE: 4000 Massachusetts
Ave. NW, 20016
EMBASSY: 5911
UKRAINE
Ambassador of France Emmanuel de Margerie, known as “Bobbie,”
was the epitome of French panache with a pixie sense of humor. I
relied so much on him when I was chief of protocol, because he saw
me through two visits of President François Mitterand of France. He
needed all his skills as a diplomat to handle both a 10-day state visit
taking us from Washington to San Francisco, with several stops in
between, as well as a trip to New York to celebrate the centenary of
the Statue of Liberty (which had been given to the U.S. by France). I will always be grateful
to Bobbie for his astuteness and diplomatic skills and will always remember his incredible
charm. Hélène de Margerie was a perfect match for her husband—a talented hostess and
delightful company.
Another Spanish ambassador, Antonio Oyarzabal, and his beautiful
American wife, the former Beatrice Lodge (daughter of John Davis
Lodge, onetime U.S. ambassador to Spain, Switzerland and Argentina)
were very special to me because I had been at her debut and their
wedding. They were very popular and also experts in their roles as
ambassador and châtelaine of the Spanish embassy.
Count Wilhelm Wachtmeister of Sweden was dean of the diplomatic
corps during my time in the State Department and I relied upon him
through many very delicate negotiations with the diplomatic corps. I
could always depend on Willie’s wisdom and discretion. He was the
perfect diplomat and his wife, Ulla, a consummate hostess noted for
the wonderful smorgasbord that was a mainstay of their many
glamorous parties.
AMBASSADOR: Valerii
Chalyi
Liudmyla Mazuka
EMBASSY: 3350 M St NW 20007
TELEPHONE: 202349 2944
RESIDENCE: 4744 Foxhall
Crescent NW, 20007
SPOUSE:
UNITEDARABEMIRATES
AMBASSADOR: Yousef
Al Otaiba
Abeer Al Otaiba
EMBASSY: 3522 International
Court, NW, Suite 400, 20008
TELEPHONE: (202) 243-2400
SPOUSE:
UNITEDKINGDOM
AMBASSADOR: Sir
Peter Westmacott
Lady (Susie) Westmacott
EMBASSY: 3100 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW 20008
TELEPHONE: 202 588 6500
SPOUSE:
URUGUAY
AMBASSADOR: Carlos
Alberto
Gianelli Derois
EMBASSY: 1913 I St NW, 20006
TELEPHONE: 202-331-1313
RESIDENCE: 9001 Clewerwall
Dr., Bethesda MD, 20817
UZBEKISTAN
AMBASSADOR: Bakhtiyar
Gulymov
Selwa S. (“Lucky”) Roosevelt served as chief of protocol of the United States from 1982 to 1989.
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