Barbara Walters: I want to interview the President and the First Lady

While walking in to meet her for coffee at the lounge of the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, I saw young girls peeping in from a distance, trying to see if their eyesight was failing them, too shy to walk up and introduce themselves. Excited, they were speaking to each other in Arabic, saying, “It’s Barbara Walters!” I smiled to myself, pleased that Walters was recognized by such a young generation of Syrians, who were never officially exposed to American television. I offered to introduce them to her; they declined, and confessed that they would look bad with their poor English. These young girls had grown up, however, at a time when satellite television and the internet were part of day-to-day life in Syria. They instantly recognized the face of Barbara Walters, a strong-minded and determined woman who has claimed a place for herself in the media world, with talent and character, since 1962. She is best known for morning television shows like Today, ABC’s evening news magazine 20/20, on which she worked as co-host for 25 years, “ABC World News Tonight,” and on her daily program “The View.”

Educated in New York, and the daughter of a producer, she first made a name for herself on NBC’s “The Today Show,” as both writer and researcher in 1961. One year later, she became a reporter and host, developing, writing, and editing her own reports and interviews. She then rose from peak to peak with ABC’s 20/20, covering various presidential campaigns and the infamous 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States. In June 2007, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in 2008, released her memoirs, “Audition: A Memoir.” She has interviewed political heavyweights who have left a hallmark on history, like Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, China’s Jiang Zemin, Great Britain’s Margaret Thatcher, Iran’s Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, King Hussein of Jordan, Indira Gandhi of India, and Cuba’s Fidel Castro. She also interviewed Monica Lewinsky in 1999, in a show that attracted 74 million viewers, the highest rating of any journalist interview. Other interviews with “giants” include Hollywood legend Katherine Hepburn and the “king” of pop, Michael Jackson. When asked about Anwar Sadat, Walters replied, “I think Anwar Sadat was a brave man; someone who risked his life and reputation because he had a vision and took charge by trying to promote ways to achieve peace. In his own way, so did Begin. I am extremely impressed with Sadat. I did many interviews with him; including his first interview with American television. I met him before and after Camp David, and also did the first joint interview between him and Begin. I also sadly reported on his funeral. I had a great relationship with the Egyptian President and still have a personal one with Mrs. Sadat.”

It all started several years ago, she recalled, when the king of Jordan was celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary. “While I was there I received an invitation to meet with the First Lady of Syria. I went to Damascus; it was an un-publicized event, for two-days, with no cameras, no interviews. We had a very lovely meeting. I thought that she was charming and intelligent.” She returned to the US, and was asked by Syria’s Ambassador to the UN Bashar al-Jaafari whether she would like to return to Syria for a visit. Walters recalled, “I said yes, but that I could not come as a guest of the (Syrian) government. It was really in a way, an unofficial visit. ABC knew that I was coming. I was told that the president did not want to do an interview at this point. It was unofficial. I saw more of Damascus this time, and I was traveling with a friend who is a businesswoman from New York, who has traveled extensively.” When asked about the city, she noted, “We were impressed by what a lively city Damascus was, especially the Old City, with all the ancient and important religious sites, mosques and churches. I think that some in America think that Syria is a country with nothing but cobblestone streets, and is what we sometimes think of as a third world country. We were impressed by how modern the city was, with the beautiful shops, European brands, and wonderful restaurants. It was a modern and seemingly up-to-date city. We also traveled to Palmyra, and having traveled and seen other ruins; found these ones marvelous.”  Walters had one troubling encounter, however, in the Golan Heights. “We also went to the Golan; I had seen it from the Israeli side. The man in charge of public relations showed us around Qunaytra (the main town in the Golan Heights) and although we could certainly understand the grief and the anger that the Syrians feel, we were given printed information saying that the Israelis had used the Quran as toilet paper. I think that no matter whose side you are on, this kind of extremism is offensive. It’s hard to believe that Israelis or anybody would use the Bible and Quran as toilet paper. To go to that extreme and provoke that kind of anger and hysteria is not the way to move ahead for a peaceful solution.”

Wrapping up, Walters said, “I think that I would like to say something here about your president and first lady, whom I found thoughtful and welcoming. We talked about his father and about (former US Secretary of State Henry) Kissinger’s relationship with the country. I would look forward to coming back to Syria not only because it is such a beautiful, fascinating, and historic country, but because it would also be my pleasure and honor to interview the president, and possibly the first lady. It would be extremely important for Americans to know them better.”