Diplomats Turn Out for Ball On Oct. 12, more than 500 people enjoyed a spectacular autumn evening in Washington, D.C., while attending the 33rd annual Meridian Ball. This yearís ball provided a memorable evening of fun, good conversation and generous support for one of Washingtonís most important institutions. And as in past years, the diplomatic corps played a central role in promoting the ball. The Meridian Ball raised more than $400,000 to fund Meridianís many programs that include support for foreign diplomats, seminars on global issues, professional exchanges, art exhibits and educational outreach in Washington, D.C., public schools. This yearís ball was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, the U.S. Congress, members of the Bush administration, the Supreme Court and leaders from Washingtonís business and cultural communities. The evening began with dinners at 29 embassies and then the festivities moved to the Meridian Center for desert and dancing. The Washington Diplomat attended a memorable dinner hosted by Chilean Ambassador Andres Bianchi and his wife Liliam Urdinola Uribe at their magnificent residence on Massachusetts Avenue. After a delightful cocktail hour, Ambassador and Mrs. Bianchi escor ted the guests into their elegant dining room for a superb meal. Guests were served cream of olives with goat cheese, citron salad bouquet, Chilean salmon in ginger sauce with a medley of vegetables, a soufflÈ with sugared milk and three exquisite Chilean wines. Special guests included Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, Treasury Secretary Paul OíNeill, former FBI Director Louis Freeh, former Senator Sam Nunn, Congressman John Dingell and the American ambassador to the United Nations, John Negroponte. Guests gathered in the elegant candle-lit garden to listen to brief remarks by Walter Cutler, president of Meridian. "Perhaps at no time in our 40-year history has the need for such understandingóamong countries, among cultures, among religionsóhave been more evident and urgent that it is now," Cutler said. "It has certainly been one of the most painful, difficult and challenging periods in all of our livesÖ. Because of our missionís relevance to what lies beneath these troubled times, we are resolved to carry onóindeed, to strengthenóour services for both the American and international communities, including Washingtonís diplomatic corps." Generous African Neighbors An emotionally moved Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner accepted a check for $5,220 from representatives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and their families on Oct. 1, declaring, "These are the times when you know who your friends are." Three African ambassadorsóAmbassador of Malawi Tony Kandiero, Ambassador of Namibia Leonard Iipumbu and Ambassador of Angola Josefina Pitra Diakiteówere on hand to present the check to the American Red Cross on behalf of the SADC. The money will go to aid the families of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Ambassador Kandiero said he views their "small contribution" as a symbol of "the solidarity with the people of the United States" at the time of this great tragedy. In turn, Linda Mathes, chief executive officer of the National Capital Chapter of the American Red Cross, expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the kindhearted gift. Slovakia Supports United States at Celebration A packed embassy of almost 400 guests sang "God Bless America" at the Slovak National Day celebration on Sept. 25. Slovak Ambassador Martin Butora and his wife Zora hosted the reception to celebrate Constitution Day, the 57th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising, and the Slovak Armed Forces Day. The reception, which followed in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, was a somber mix of celebrating the accomplishments of the Slovak Republic and celebrating its relationship with the United States. "My country has been deeply saddened" by the World Trade Center attack, said Ambassador Butora, "but at the same time we have been impressed by admirable unity and determination of the American people to help the victims and their families and to wage a campaign against terrorism. We feel that this was also a malicious attack against the ideas and values adopted by Slovakia after the collapse of communism in 1989. This is why our public understands the need to punish the culprits of those coward acts. Most people in our country support Slovakiaís participation in this campaign." The group was then invited outside where Jan Surotchak, chairman of the recently founded organization Friends of Slovakia, joined the ambassador in unveiling the wall of honor, which recognizes those individuals, organizations and companies that helped build the new embassy.