RECEIVING LINE Pacific Island Party ìI am an islander. My people came from an island, just a different ocean,î joked U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powellówhose family is from Jamaicaówith guests at Pacific Night 2002, held at the Embassy of New Zealand. The presence of Secretary Powell was an added touch to an already successful evening. More than 500 guestsómany decked out in tropical flowers and other native island gearóattended the festivities, which were postponed last year because of the Sept. 11 attacks. The event was hosted by Pacific ambassadors and representatives of American Samoa, Australia, Fiji, Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu. Highlights of the evening included unique Pacific cuisine and entertainment from a diverse range of performers, including a live Pacific band, a performance by the internationally celebrated cultural group Kahurangi, and pulse-pounding island dances. David Walker, deputy chief of mission for the Embassy of New Zealand, called the event ìa great showcase for the many diverse cultures that mak e up the nations and territories of the Pacific. It was an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of our region as a whole in Washington.î Secretary Powell was joined by an impressive guest list, which, among others, included Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James A. Kelly, Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa) and Rep. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa), both prominent members of the House Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Secretary Powell took time from his busy schedule to express his heartfelt thanks to the Pacific nations for their support of the United States since the Sept. 11 tragedies. He shared with the gathering the message his assistant secretary relayed to him earlier that day: ìWhatever else youíre doing tonight, boss, these are our friends.î The sentiment among the Pacific representatives was mutual. Honoring Lebanon Representatives of the diplomatic community gathered at Le Tarbouche restaurant to toast the heritage and culture of Lebanon. The guests, which included 80 people from the Lebanese-American community, also honored three ambassadors of Lebanese descent: Ambassador of Ecuador Ivonne A-Baki, Ambassador of Paraguay Leila Teresa Rachid de Cowles, and Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Roberto B. Saladin-Selin. The evening also served a greater purpose. The dignitaries assembled to raise money for the church of our Lady of Deliverance in Kfarkatra, Lebanon. Archbishop John Elya of the Catholic Melkites in the United States presented the honorees with plaques of recognition, a tangible acknowledgement of their unwavering support of Lebanon. The archbishop went on to praise the ambassadors and their achievements: ìAn ambassador is the bright face of his or her countryóthe best apple on the top of the basket. We are proud of Lebanon and this evening.î After accepting their awards, each ambassador spoke briefly about their parentsí homeland. Ambassador A-Baki said that her parents are from the Chouf, not far from Kfarkatra. Ambassador Rachid spoke of her heritageóher mother came from Baalbak and her father from Homs, and they journeyed to Paraguay in search of a better life. Ambassador Saladin discussed his parentsí beginnings in Amyoun and the fact that there are several successful people of Lebanese origin in the Dominican Republic. Among the many attendees on the distinguished guest list were Rep. Nick J. Rahall II (D-W. Va.), Rep. John E. Sununu (R-N.H.), Ambassador of Panama Guillermo Alfredo Ford Boyd, and Ambassador of Guatemala Ariel Rivera-Irias. Host and master of ceremonies for the evening, Walid Maalouf, spoke proudly of the success of the evening. ìIsnít it unique to have three ambassadors of Lebanese descent serving at the same time as representatives of their respective countries to the United States of America? The strength of Lebanon lies in the individual efforts of many.î óMaria Tsigas