Tribune Excerpts

The following article appeared in the November 2005 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune

Macedonia Celebrates Opening of New Embassy
By Virginia Surso

"You've really cleaned up the neighborhood," U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said as he entered the Oct. 26 reception marking the opening of Macedonia's new embassy at 2129 Wyoming Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.

Macedonian Ambassador to the U.S. Nikola Dimitrov greeted Rumsfeld on the steps of the embassy with a wide smile. The two men hugged. Rumsfeld also lives in historic Sheridan-Kalorama Neighborhood. Macedonian Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski was the honored guest. He and Foreign Minister Elinka Mitreva spoke with many in fluent English. Members of the press from Macedonia, the US and Canada were everywhere documenting the event.

Gillian Arlette Milovanovic, America's new Ambassador to Macedonia and Paul Pfeuffer of the State Department were among the guests.

More than 400 persons attended the opening. Ambassador Dimitrov and Zlatko Oncevski, Defense and Military Attaché at the embassy greeted each. Other members of the embassy staff and their families mingled.

The reception also marked the ten-year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Macedonia and the U.S.

At one time the property was the site of the French Embassy, but had stood vacant for nearly 20 years. Under the guidance of architect Ljubisal (Daba) Dabic, it was nearly totally rebuilt following guidelines set by the Washington Historic Preservation Society. Peter Vladimirovic was general contractor.

It was particularly exciting to see the Macedonian flag flying on what is regarded as Macedonian property in the heart of our nation's capital.

A mixed buffet offered Macedonian and American hors d'oeuvres. A full bur was set and waiters strolled through the embassy offering Macedonian wine.