DIPLOMATIC DANCE

BY GAIL SCOTT

Martha Stewart - a Hungarian no-show, competitive canoeing with the Swedes and diplomatic Thanksgivings

Creative Diplomacy When trade became the No. 1 diplomatic job, more economists became ambassadors. When public diplomacy came to the fore, ambassadors became talk show regulars and there was a rush to build showy embassies symbolizing each country's national character. Now, the latest trend is creative diplomacy, forcing diplomats to discover new ways to energize their "team" and get their "brand" into the public psyche.
Swedish Ambassador Gunnar Lund, a selfproclaimed "competitive sports freak," took his staff out on the Potomac for the House of Sweden's First Annual Canoe Race. When Embassy "referee" Colonel Per Nilsson (aka Sweden's air attaché) proclaimed Lisa Svensson's paddlers the fastest, it was the Ambassador who filed a complaint although a traditional Kräftskiva (crayfish party) eased the loss. Aquavit to the rescue!
Hungary's rock guitar-playing András Simonyi, always looking for new ways to remind Americans about Hungary's fight for freedom 50 years ago, has named Zoltán Fehér, his savvy political officer, as the embassy's new "chief creative officer." Fehér designed the Embassy's year-long commemoration for the Hungarian freedom fighters "who first cracked the wall of Soviet oppression," the Ambassador says.

It's A Good Thing Even though Martha Stewart was a no-show, her regular beau Charles Simonyi (no relation to Ambassador Simonyi) was presented Hungary's top Commander's Cross Order of Merit. To celebrate, the Microsoft Word and Excel creator is training for his $20 million ride into space.

The Longest Line Germany's Unity Day, a favorite of many local bratwurst lovers, left some of the more than 2,500 guests with a sour taste in their mouths even though former President George H. W. Bush and hefty Helmut Kohl, Germany's former chancellor, presided. Guests, including ambassadors and VIP's, waited almost an hour to enter the Foxhall Road compound because of extra security before savoring Saxon specialties.

Giving Thanks Thanksgiving, America's most unique holiday, has always been a day for sharing and Washington's top diplomats love joining in, whether they're cooking the turkey or bringing the pies.
Portugal's Cheryl and Pedro Catarino will celebrate their last Thanksgiving here by walking down the road to their Kalorama Circle neighbors Lee and Juliet Folger, who have graciously invited them for the last four Thanksgivings. "They are wonderful about inviting newly arrived ambassadors: the Italians came last year; British Amb. Sir David and Lady Manning, their first year. The first year I took the biscuits and last year, a Portuguese shrimp dish."
India's Kalpana Sen says "It's a day off for me and our cook and I say thanks to my friends who invite us over."
Greek Ambassador Alexandros Mallias bought a cooked turkey last year but will be in the kitchen this Thanksgiving. "Turkey is a Greek tradition at Christmastime with potatoes, never mashed but baked, and no cranberries but raisins in the dressing." This ambassador and his Swiss wife Francois have the Embassy's singles over for their feast. "Of course, we have Greek wine and Francois' homemade ice cream, not the reason I fell in love with her but one of the secrets of my devotion."
Hungary's Nada Simonyi roasts the turkey for an embassy-wide pot luck at his chancery. "The meal is not complicated, so everyone brings something and Chef has the night off."
New Zealand's Ambassador Roy Ferguson and his American wife Dawn celebrate wherever they are in the world. "This year we will have a reunion with the American family branch from Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York and New Zealand family members here. Since Thanksgiving commemorates an historical event of sharing food and peace between two different cultures, I see it as a cornerstone of two of the best attributes of American culture - acceptance of immigrants and sharing of natural bounty."
Afghanistan's Ambassador Said Jawad adds, "I gather my family to catch up, relax and stuff ourselves with traditional Afghan food and the usual American Thanksgiving fare. Thanksgiving reminds me of being back in Afghanistan where all holidays are some sort of feast and an opportunity to reflect on what we are grateful for. Afghans have much to celebrate as we approach the fifth anniversary of the fall of the Taliban."

Do You Know Embassy Row? · The handsome Uzbekistan Embassy at 1746 Mass. Ave., N.W., used to be Canada's. · Croatian artisans remade the former Austrian Embassy at 2343 Mass. Ave., N.W., into their own. · Cameroon's corner mansion at 24th and Mass. Ave., N.W., was originally the Norwegian embassy.

Winning Swedish team celebrates after the House of Sweden's First Annual Canoe Race, organized by Amb. Gunnar Lund. Photo: Swedish Embassy.

Former President George H. W. Bush and former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl at Germany's Unity Day celebration. Photo: Gail Scott.

Hungarian Amb. András Simonyi and his wife Nada flank Charles Simonyi (no relation), the creator of Microsoft Word and Excel, who was awarded Hungary's Commander's Cross Order of Merit. Photo: Gail Scott