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Welcome to the Neighborhood The life of a diplomat can take them to the corners of the world and back. It’s an exciting yet transient life for most (except Djibouti’s dean of the diplomatic corps, Roble Olhaye). Here are our newest neighbors. 
BELGIUM, Dominique Struye
Previously served as Belgium’s permanent representative to NATO. Officially single but his
heart seems to belong to a horsewoman at home. He’s learning to play golf.
BRAZIL, Antonio de Aguiar Patriota
Patriota was previously chief of staff in the foreign ministry. His American wife Tania Cooper
Patriota visits Washington once a month from her UN humanitarian work in Haiti.
FRANCE, Pierre Vimont
A devoted diplomat who doesn’t need much sleep. He’s lived in Washington before: “From
the time I was four until I was eight, I lived here when my father was a diplomat.”
HUNGARY, Frenec Somogyi
Similar spelling to his predecessor but this ambassador doesn’t play rock n roll; he plays
tennis. Married to Andrea Bors Somogyi, their last name is pronounced “SHOW-mo-gee”.
JORDAN, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein
The prince holds a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. from Cambridge
(Christ’s College). He helped establish and then chaired the International Criminal Court.
MEXICO, Arturo Sarukhan
This Fulbright Scholar received his M.A. from Johns Hopkins and was at the UN before
working on presidential candidate Felipe Calderon’s campaign. He is also a great soccer goalie.
MONACO, Gilles Noghes
Most recently Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York,
Noghes will head Monaco’s now official embassy in the US. All of the embassy’s cars are hybrids.
PORTUGAL, João de Vallera
His ambassadorship started here with a bang. Arrived shortly before Portugal’s Smithsonian
“Encompassing the Globe” extravaganza and now holds the presidency of the European Union.
REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS, Andreas Kakouris
While acting as Deputy Chief of Mission, he rode a bike with a sidecar around town. He’s
recently been involved in a heated debate over the province of rare coins found on the island.
SAUDI ARABIA, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir
A media natural, he was the main advisor to Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al
Saud and King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz during the aftermath of 9/11.
SOUTH AFRICA, Welile Nhlapo
Active in the South African Students Organization with the late Steve Biko. Was director of the
Africa Division in the department of political affairs at the United Nations. He is married to Sissy.
SWEDEN, Jonas Hafström
Just arrived from Bangkok, where he was Sweden’s ambassador when the tsunami hit, Häfstrom
has three children with wife Eva. The residence tennis courts will be busy – he loves to play.
THAILAND, Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn
No typical Thai nickname is necessary for this diplomat: just Ambassador Krit. This
international law expert loves to read. His wife Ravewan plays the piano and paints.
UNITED KINGDOM, Sir Nigel Sheinwald, KCMG
Present foreign policy adviser to the prime minister and former secret envoy to Syria, Iran and
Libya. Call him “Sir Nigel” and his wife “Lady (Julia) Sheinwald.” Also a lover of theater
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