RE: 60 Minutes With The Chief

Dear Mr. Arend,

     I have just been made aware about your article in Flying Typers published recently titled "60 Minutes With The Chief " in which you bring up our late father and his accomplishments for MEA and Lebanon during the turbulent times.
     As the children of Salim and Maha Salaam we are honored and proud that even after 20 years since Salim left MEA, there are still distinguished gentlemen such as your good-self who remember him for what he stood for and believed in, and for that we thank you for your kind and sincere words.
    We today still have the same love, dedication, and devotion to MEA that our parents have passed on.
    If you ever happen to be in Lebanon we would very much appreciate letting us know.

Best regards,
Karim Salim Salaam

Dear Karim,

    Thank you for your very kind letter.
    I thought to share this picture of myself (quite a bit younger), your Dad, and our then senior executive editor, Edward Ansel Talbert, in New York City in 1984.
    I recall that we had a glorious table lunch with many hopes and dreams shared amidst hours of lively conversation. That lunch has lived in my heart these past 30-plus years.

Every good wish,
Geoffrey