A meeting with the ambassadors’ wives in Riyadh
During my line of work in the Saudi Navy and as columnist for two Saudi newspapers, Arab News and Alyaum, I had the honor of meeting the ambassadors of the US, the UK, Belgium, France, Norway, Singapore and Canada. The meetings were simple handshakes during social events in Alkhobar, which mostly took place at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce. Everyone knows the duties of an ambassador, but what about the wife of an ambassador?
Last Monday, I had the honor to be a guest at the residence of the French ambassador, hosted by the ambassador’s wife, Maud Besancenot and the Argentinean’s ambassador’s wife, Sabine Farra. Other ambassador’s wives were also there: from Mali — Haidara-Ben Labt, from Turkey — Pinar Gun, from Canada — Susan MacDonald, from Spain — Marisa Perez-Villaanueva, from The Netherlands — Caroline Havers, from Austria — Sigrid Koessler, from Switzerland — Monika Reinhardt, from Ireland — Felicity Heathcote, and India — Asiya Rao and others. The get-together was for casual chatting and I was the one who did most of the talking, but at the end of the gathering I learned many interesting things from the distinguished ladies. For example, I learned about their daily activities in a host country and their way of fast learning of a new language. Indeed, they were all highly educated, intelligent and each one of them spoke several languages. We had interesting conversations about many things, especially about Arab News. They were impressed with its coverage of many issues especially articles about the assignment of women in Shoura Council. They also told me that for them reading Arab News is a daily event and many of the ladies would discuss what was published in Arab News and journalism in general. Some of them asked questions that brought back many memories about my past career in the navy. I remember to this day when I was given the task to hold cultural introductions about Saudi Arabia to many American female employees who were hired to work for a Saudi Navy supporting company in Norfolk, Virginia. One of the ambassadors’ wives questions reminded me of a similar question I was asked from a female engineer who was present at one of my lectures in 1982 — I still remember her name after 32 years, Lynda Givens. The question was about the issues covered by Arab News of reforms regarding the Saudi women. Also, talking to the Indian ambassador’s wife reminded me of a distant uncle who was an unofficial Saudi ambassador to India in the 1950s and 60s, Mohammed Al-Mulhim lived in Bombay and he was of a great help to the Saudi Embassy in the Indian capital and he took care of the all the Saudis and some Gulf states nationals who would come to Bombay for business. He was working hand in hand with the Saudi ambassador without official statues.
Back to that get-together, what I learned is what perhaps not everyone realizes that an ambassador’s wife has many duties and responsibilities toward her country and her host country, besides social networking.
The women have very difficult tasks during their husband’s tours of duty. They have to be mentally ready for assignments to different countries, and they have a duty to adapt quickly to the host country’s social, cultural and political way of life. The ambassador’s wife is the biggest supporter for her husband’s demanding job and is there to support even the embassy staff.
And finally, I would like to say thank you to all the wives of the ambassadors in Riyadh and wish them a pleasant stay in the Kingdom.
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