I was deeply saddened by the news I heard yesterday morning. The death of ABC's news anchor Peter Jennings of lung cancer. I couldn't claim to be a friend of his, but I met him a number of times, and I can say that I genuinely liked this charismatic gentleman and felt a personal loss on hearing about his death.
To his wife, Kayce, I wrote the following:
Dear Mrs. Jennings,
It was with great sorrow that I heard the sad news about the passing away of your husband. May his soul rest in peace.
I was homored to personally meet with your nhusband in three different occasions in the past two years. I have visited him once in his office at ABC in New York, had dinner with both of you at Toni Toma's house in Damascus, and met him once here in Washington, D.C.
Peter Jennings was larger than life; he was a man of great integrity and had a strong impact on whoever he would meet. We, in the Arab World have always admired his fairness and objectivity, and never failed to realize his deep commitment to humanity and the profound sense of justice and care that always radiated from him.
Peter Jennings was the very first to open an office of a major U.S. TV channel in the Arab World, this is just single achievement among a long series of achievements and successes he has accomplished.
Please accept my deepest condolonces and sympathy to you and your family.
Sincerly,
Imad Moustapha
