Best daily newspaper or wire-service interpretation of foreign affairs
AWARD YEAR: 1981
AWARD NAME: The Bob Considine Award
AWARD RECIPIENT: David K. Willis
AWARD RECIPIENT AFFILIATION: The Christian Science Monitor
AWARD HONORED WORK: “Soviet Memorandum,” “On the Trail of the A-Bomb Makers”
After 4 1/2 years as Moscow correspondent Willis became London bureau chief of the Monitor and produced two brilliant series. “Soviet Memorandum,” based on his travels in all 15 of its republics, depicted the state of the U.S.S.R. and concluded that the Soviet regime is based on “force and fear” and its relationship with the West “will remain an adversary one.” “On the Trail of the A-Bomb Makers,” under datelines from New York to Karachi, reported that “atomic devices and the ability to detonate them are spreading to volatile areas of the world, where
ambition and insecurities are high. but safeguards low.” Born in Australia, Willis joined the Monitor in 1964.
Citations went to Elizabeth Pond of the Christian Science Monitor for articles on Poland, Germany and Euro-missiles, and to RobertJ. White of the Minneapolis Tribune for coverage and commentary on Central America
Judges: Henry Cassidy, Rosalind Massow, Ansel Talbert.