My dears, last week a group of Al-Ahram journalists were granted the "Distinguished Media Prize" by the Association for the Development and Enhancement of Woman (ADEW), for exemplary coverage of women's issues. The event was organised in cooperation with the Press Syndicate and involved a wonderful ceremony celebrating these talented individuals. Among those being recognised were Al-Ahram Deputy Editor-in-Chief Aïcha Abdel-Ghaffar, and our dear Ahram Weekly colleague Reem Leila. Other journalists included Amira Doss of Al-Ahram Hebdo, Sa'diya Shoeb and Tahani El- Qai'y from Al-Ahram daily, and Heba Bacha from Nisf Al-Donia magazine. Prizes were handed out by Youth Minister Alieddin Hilal, Head of the National Council for Women Farkhonda Hassan, Chairman of the Board of the ADEW Iman Bibbers, and Dorreya Sharafeddin on behalf of the minister of information. The celebration, which lasted for three hours, took place at Nefertiti Hall, Helnan Shepherd Hotel. For the Weekly team, recognition of our colleague Leila was certainly a high point in the evening. The peak, however, came when Al-Ahram Weekly was recognised for its overall outstanding in the field of women's issues. When one works with passion, my dears, it does eventually pay off. � It seems, my sweets, that my dynamic friend Canadian Ambassador in Egypt Michel de Salaberry has been busy recently -- he organised a farewell party in honour of the Canadian councellor Jean-Philippe Tachdjian, who returns to Canada from his birthplace of Egypt. A galaxy of luminary figures including journalists, diplomats and foreign ambassadors came to bid Tachdjian adieu at the residence of the Canadian ambassador in Zamalek. It was a lovely evening my dears. Golf is fast blossoming in the country. Conrad Cairo recently organised a Golf Tournament -- the day's format being a two-man Texas Scramble. The winning team was that of South African Ambassador Happy Mahlango and Bill Paul, with runners up Khaled El-Serafy, Ahmed Abu- Zeid, Aya Muramatsu and Khaled El-Shazli among others. A prize giving ceremony was held after the dinner celebration, where distinguished guests enjoyed Conrad's fine hospitality after an exciting day in the warmth of the Cairo sun. For interesting reading this week my dears, I recommend a book compiled by my friend, former director of Al-Ahram Bureau in Tokyo Mohamed Ibrahim El- Dessouki entitled T he Korean Nuclear Question. The book addresses the issue of the American-Korean conflict over the alleged possession of the People's Democratic Republic of North Korea of nuclear weapons, which came to the forefront of international politics after the end of the Cold War. Certainly something to pick up for that weekend by the beach.
