Evening star., 1952-03-07
By Katherine N. Brooks

The Yemen Charge d,AnatreS,
Sayed Abdurrahman Ibn Abdus-
samed Abu-Taleb. was host yeS-I
terday at cocktails and a. EutfetI
supper. entertaining In his at
tractive legation on Sixeenth|
{ street. The diplomat recently re-
! turned from Paris where he was
q member OF his country's dele
!. cation to the United Nations
: meetings, and yesterday was his
flrst opportunity TO meet with al
group of members Of the press.
The host stood in the center
hall to greet his guests and wore
the native dress Of an official Of
: his rank. The robe is Of fine black
wool, moderately full and long,
to the ankles. There is shallow
standing collar and the robe isl
! buttoned across the chest and
down to the waist with small gold
Buttons and gold braid loops. The
wide belt is black and heavily
embroidered in gold and trimmed
with fine golden rings and semi
precious stones. In this belt wasl
sstuck q dagger with decorated
: handle. It's sheath, curved up-l
ward at the point. was heavily
embroidered in gold. The long
wide sleeves Of the robe are set
into the body of the garment in
O deep armhole similar to raglan
sleeves. With this official robe
he wore the white turban which
is part Of the costume and around
his neck a scarf of exquiSitely fine
white cashmere with band Of
paisley embroidery. When asked
the religious or official significance
Of the scarf, the reply was that
the wearing Of it depends on the
weather only.
The legation, at 4402 Sixteenth.
Is a block south of the Dominican
Embassy. It is an attractive house.
though not spacious. The drawing
room on the south side Of the
center hall has walls, woodwork
and ceiling of Old Georgetown
blue. In the far corner is baby
grand piano with rich Middle
Eastern embroidered scarf thrown
over it. In this room cocktails and
hors d'ouevres were served as
guests sat about on sofas and in
easy chairs.
The dining room across the hall
was lighted by candles, the soft
flickering light adding sparkle to
the crystal chandelier in the center
of the room. A low mound Of red
and white carnations was In the
center of the table. Delicious rice,
cooked with almonds as they do
in Yemen, lamb prepared after
an Italian recipe and delicious
chicken salad as we have it in this
country were served, along with
other native dishes. The meal was
prepared and supervised by Mrs.
MaShrah. wife of the Attache Of
the legation, who also acted as
hostess for the Charge d'Affaires.
Mrs. Mashrah is a native of the
United States of Italian back
ground. Yesterday she wore an
emerald green changeable silk
blouse, made with standing collar
and three-quarter length sleeves.
q street-length black skirt and an
orchid on her shoulder. Mrs. Mas
hrah is the only woman in the
legation circle. The Charge d'Af-
faireS is a bachelor and wives of
the members of the staff have
not yet come to this country.
The Charge d'Affaires came toI
Washington and took up his duties
in December, 1850. At that time
he did not speak English. He hasl
learned enough to speak easily
though not f1uently, showing beau-
tiful and even white teeth when
he smiles, which is frequently. He
is small of stature, has clear cut
features and a sparkle in his eyes
even through the dark glasses
which he wears.
Since the first Of the year there
are two new members Of the staff,
the Second Secretary. Toufic Cha
maud, and the Chief Accountant
Khalil I. Semoum. When the