48 HOURS BEFORE THE FILMING FOR AVOIDING ARMAGEDDON, THE INTERVIEW WAS CANCELLED ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, SAFE WORLD PRODUCTIONS (Thursday, February 12, 2003) We at Safe World Productions are working on an ambitious 8-hour series, called "Avoiding Armageddon," an eight-hour documentary series commissioned by Ted Turner Documentaries, LLC and scheduled to air in the United States on PBS (public television) and around the world beginning in April, 2003. The series, and accompanying book, will closely examine mankind1s development and deployment of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the political, social and cultural components that inform our understanding of these issues. We will take the time to go beyond politics and examine the human elements of conflict and conflict resolution. What impels a young person to take up violence? What can citizens of the world do in their own lives to lessen the danger of Armageddon in our time? These and other issues are explored in depth in this major documentary series. A while back, I read parts of your book "The War on Islam." And, if I recall correctly, you spoke last summer at a local Barnes and Nobles, but I missed it. I believe your perspective is critical to understanding how US foreign policy contributes to the cycle of violence, how our policies and actions are seen by people on the ground in the Arab world, and the shortsightedness of the current "war on terror" being waged by the Bush administration. You seem to be the ideal person to address such issues and that is why we would be extremely honored if you agreed to a brief on camera interview for our series. Unfortunately, we are working under a tight deadline and would like to do this interview sometime in the next week, if possible. Please let me know if you are willing to grant this interview and whether your schedule would permit it next week. I would be happy to call if you tell me a convenient time and number. Thank you for your time and consideration...I look forward to hearing from you soon. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, SAFE WORLD PRODUCTIONS (Thursday, February 13, 2003) Thank you so much for getting back to us. We are thrilled that you are willing to be interviewed. I am trying to coordinate the schedule of 6 interviewees and it is getting very complicated. I will be in touch as soon as I can with the proposal of a date. And we can take it from there. Thank you for informing me of your talk at Temple U. It sounds very interesting, but I am afraid we are just too busy to attend. I wish you the best of luck with that. Thank you for your patience...I will be in touch as soon as I can. We look forward to meeting you soon. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, SAFE WORLD PRODUCTIONS (Friday, February 14, 2003) Would you be available on Tuesday, Feb. 25th for an interview in our Dupont Circle studios? Please let me know...and what times of day are most convenient. I look forward to hearing from you. ENVER MASUD (Saturday, February 15, 2003) Feb 26 at your studio is fine, but first I would like to know: the scope of the interview the participants (I hope it's not like a Lester Holt/Frank Luntz affair). ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, SAFE WORLD PRODUCTIONS (Tuesday, February 18, 2003) Thank you for your response. I am a little confused--I inquired whether you were available on the 25th (Tuesday), but you responded that the 26th is fine. Do you mean the 25th is ok? Please let me know. Because of the weather, I am still snowed in and unable to get to the office. I hope to be there tomorrow and I will send you a little more info on the scope of our project. Rest assured that your interview will be one-on-one with a producer or associate producer, you will not be part of a panel. I will be in touch tomorrow. For my files, could you please send me your telephone number in case I need to contact you. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, SAFE WORLD PRODUCTIONS (Wednesday, February 19, 2003) As for the scope of the interview, we would like you primarily to address the following sorts of issues: What do you think is the source of anti-American sentiment in the Muslim and Arab world?; Do you think there is a perception that we are at war with Islam?; How does US foreign policy contributes to the cycle of violence?; How are our policies and actions seen by people on the ground in the Arab world?; What sort of a Muslim is Osama bin Laden (Islamist? Salafi? or other?)?; What are the sources of resentment of those who consider him a hero? I hope that gives you a good idea. Our show aims to go beyond the news by trying to raise issues that remain in large part unaddressed. We look forward to your perspective on the roles we play in perpetuating the cycles of hatred and violence. Tentatively, would 1 pm work for you on Tuesday? We are at Dupont Circle (directions will follow). ENVER MASUD (Wednesday, February 19, 2003) 1:00 pm Tuesday is fine, so is the scope. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, SAFE WORLD PRODUCTIONS (Wednesday, February 19, 2003) Here are directions for next Tuesday, the 25th. The Studio is at Interface Media: 1233 20th Street, NW (on 20th, between M and N Streets) Washington DC, 20036 If you are coming by metro, get off at the Dupont Circle Stop and take the South Exit (not the Q Street exit to the North). This will put you on 19th Street. Walk down 19th, make a right on N Street and then make a left onto 20th. The main office entrance is on the Lobby Level. After you sign in with the guard, enter the Interface door opposite the guard desk and have a seat by the receptionist. I will meet you there. We are looking forward to it. Please call if you need any further clarification. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, SAFE WORLD PRODUCTIONS (Sunday, February 23, 2003) I am very disappointed to say that we will be unable to do the interview on Tuesday the 25th. We have had a re-structuring at my company and several staff changes. Before we can proceed with any interviews, several internal matters need to be clarified and settled. I am very grateful that you set aside time to speak with us. I am terribly sorry for any inconvenience caused by this cancellation. In the event that we are in a position to re-schedule the interview, I will contact you to check availability. Again, please accept my apologies. And please acknowledge receipt of this message, otherwise I will try to contact you by phone to make sure you know our interviews have been cancelled. |
