Hello kcsd12-ga:
Thank you for your question, it is quite an interesting project, I
enjoyed researching the very interesting country of Albania.
Sadly the current Ambassador to Albania just passed away from a heart
attack. Joseph Limprecht was the ambassador for nearly three years. He
assumed the post in September of 1999.
Source: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2002/10319.htm
Fortunately there are many resources on the Internet to aid you in
preparing your project. A good place to start is the Department of
State.
http://www.state.gov/www/obc/pubs/protocol.html
The above link was written to aid the new ambassador, prepared by the
Overseas Briefing Center in Washington DC. The text describes in great
detail everything from proper and improper ways to address foreign
diplomats, to who to invite. Details on formal and informal dinner
arrangements and even the manner in which invitations are delivered:
“A common way to extend an invitation to a formal event and/or
official function is through official stationary cards followed by a
telephone call. Increasingly, however, the invitation is extended over
the phone, and a card is sent as a reminder.”
Seating arrangements are often delegated to the post’s Protocol
Officer.
“One may wish to consult the post's protocol officer for advice in
creating a guest list and seating arrangement. The number of guests,
their names and positions, the purpose of the party, and the shape and
number of tables are but a few of the details which need to be
addressed. Guidelines for seating and service follow, but keep in mind
that they may be adapted to each event.”
If the Ambassador’s staff does not include a Protocol Officer, this
guide offers this advice:
“After the guest of honor and the host(ess) or co-host(ess) are
seated, the arrangement goes by rank, gender, and nationality. As a
general rule, couples sit across the table from each other, not
side-by-side.”
The U.S. and Albania had no diplomatic relations between 1946 and
1991. Since Albania removed restrictions on religious and political
activity and in 1991 ,the United States reestablished diplomatic
relations.
A good place to start in learning about your new fictional post to
Tirana would be at the State Department again.
http://www.state.gov/www/background_notes/albania_9903_bgn.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/albania/culture.htm
The above links gives you a good profile of the people, government and
economy of Albania.
The State Department also publishes Country Commercial Guides for most
countries, I have found them invaluable in their ability to help me
understand a country’s political and economic climate. Here is the
CCG for Albania:
http://www.usatrade.gov/website/ccg.nsf/ShowCCG?OpenForm&Country=ALBANIA
Here is the key officer list for the Tirana post:
http://www.foia.state.gov/mms/KOH/keypostdetails.asp?post=0&letter=A&id=1
Whom to invite. A good question that needs a diplomatic answer (pun
intended).
The Albanian ministry of Information’s website
http://depinf.gov.al/english/default1.htm
has a list of the President and his cabinet members. I would start my
invitations from this list .
You may wish to contact the Embassy in Tirana, perhaps the staff may
be able to give you pointers that I have not covered. Here is the
contact information:
Street Address: Tirana Rruga Elbasanit 103
Mailing Address: AmEmbassy Tirana, Department of State, Washington,
D.C. 20521-9510
Telephone: [355] (4) 247-285 thru 89
Fax: [355] (4) 232-222
Another contact, this one from the Organization for Security and
Co-operation (OSCE):
Caterina Artelli
Spokesperson
Press and Public Information Office
Address: Rr. Donika Kastrioti, Vila 6 Tirana Albania
Tel.: +355-4 23 59 93 ext. 123
Fax: +355-4 23 59 94
E-mail: oscepress@icc.al.eu.org
I hope this will get you started in the right direction for your
project. Please ask for a clarification should you need any more help.
Regards,
Colin
Google search terms used:
Embassy protocol
Embassy “dinner protocol”
Albanian government |
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