June 15th, 2006


To the Family of Paul Douglas,



My name is Hugh Williams. I have been a cameraman with CNN for many years, and I worked alongside Paul all over the world. Come to think of it, I can’t even remember all the countries and cities we ran into each other, whether it was freezing cold or roasting hot, or exactly what horrible things were happening at the time in these places. (After many years, these events tend to blend together). I was in Russia, Bosnia, Somalia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Belfast, Haiti...etc all through the 1990’s.

To me, the job we did was full of contradictions. It was exhilarating, and exhausting. Both exciting and terrifying at the same time. A great big unknown adventure. (Thankfully, there were always lots of humorous moments punctuating the sheer terror too). It sounds weird, but without our 'news junkie' colleagues, it was hard to have fun and try to hold it together under these circumstances. I always found a tremendous amount of reassurance when I saw Paul’s big smiling face, or grimace, in one of these far flung places. He was part of the “crew”. The “crew” of international news hounds that would run into each other everywhere. He made me feel less alone. It’s kinda hard to describe. I always admired his professionalism. In his presence, I was less fearful, and I worked harder. I thought, “Wow, CBS is here with the big guns…I better not screw up!” I can’t claim that we were best mates or anything, but we acknowledged each others presence, and I hope he was as happy to see me as I was to see him on those crazy stories. Perhaps he didn’t even realize the effect he had on others. I know that his death profoundly hurt me, and I wanted to let you know why. I hope it helps you to know that Paul had that effect on people.

Please accept my condolences, and those of my colleagues at CNN who knew him and worked with him. He will certainly not be forgotten.

Regards, Hugh Williams

CNN Freelance Producer/Correspondent

Sydney, Australia.

Ph: +61-2-9664-7072
Cell: +61-419-218-732
hugh.williams@cnn.com