DIPLOMACY

By ANN BLACKMAN/PRAGUE

When Secretary of State MADELEINE ALBRIGHT jetted into Prague last week, aides were mum about her plans for a meeting with her cousin, DAGMAR SIMOVA, the woman who told the world that Albright's family had Jewish origins. Feelings between the two sides of the family are--well, somewhat strained. At the American embassy in Prague, word was that a visit was tentative. In the end, Albright decided it was best to repair the breach. The two women had a private breakfast in Albright's hotel the morning after she arrived, and later, when Czech President VACLAV HAVEL presented Albright with the country's highest honor at Hradcany Castle, Simova was seated front and center, wiping tears from her eyes. But Albright did not invite Simova to tour the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Pinkas Synagogue with her, even though they share more than a dozen relatives whose names are among the 77,297 Holocaust victims painted on the walls. "I guess she wanted to see it privately," said Simova.

--By Ann Blackman/Prague