Terrace Multicultural Association president Silvia Morales (left) and
association member Linda Lee met recently to discuss arrangements for
this year’s International Potluck Dinner, scheduled for Feb. 14 at the
Thornhill Community Centre. ; _

| Boo ks For Adults. - —- |

“Dismaying overview”
‘of the CIA, anda ~~
portrait of Augustus

by Andrea Deakin

Bob Woodward is an investigative reporter, best known for his
work on the Washington Post which helped to uncover the
Watergate affair. In the process of gathering information on his
new book, ‘Veil: The Secret Wars of the CIA 1981-1987"
(General:$32.95) he talked to over 250 people, including the recent-
ly deceased former head of the U.S, Central Intelligence Agency,
William Casey himself. Casey always returned his calls. The result is
a compilation of reconstructed conversations, gossip and some
startling revelations and insight which, as Bob Woodward points
out, ‘‘is much closer to journalism than it is to history.”” He quotes
Ken Auletta, ‘‘no reporter can with 100 percent accuracy recreate
events which occurred some time before’’. What he offers, made
more potent by the accumulation of data, is a dismaying overview
of Casey’s administration of the CIA,

Egotistical, sure of what he wanted, Casey frequently chose to ig-
nore the rights of Congress, consultation with the State Depart-
ment, and the warnings of his own department. Woodward men-
tions two occasions when Casey went directly to President Reagan,
ignoring Defense Secretary Alexander Haig. One was a direct re-
quest from King Hassan II of Morocco for U.S. support. On
another occasion Senators Gary Hart and William Cohen were
nearly killed during a visit to Nicaragua when there was a botched
CIA attempt to blow up the Managua airport. Casey dominates the
book, determined to overthrow the Nicaraguan government, devis-
ing misinformation and ways of baiting Libyan leader Moammar
Qaddaffi, funnelling information to Britain during the Falklands
crisis, fully aware, Woodward believes, of all Oliver North was up
to, greeting a convention of OSS veterans, ‘Fellow survivors, thank
God we all are here.”

Alan Massie reconstructs the lost memoirs of Augustus Caesar,
adopted son of Julius, comrade and later foe of Mark Antony,
discriminating patron of both Virgil and Horace, in “‘Augustus”’,
released in paperback by General Publishing at $9.95.

The novel moves with spirit and energy, fueled by the man
himself - humanly flawed, at times doubting, but shrewd, inventive,
generous and often admirable, a complex man living in highly
dangerous and complex times, when Rome stood at a crossroads.
His strength, determination and vision helped to stabilize the city
and he became the founder of the Empire to follow.

The energy, imagination and daring of the young Augustus
makes a lively and passionate first book. In the second book
Augustus is looking back at his accomplishments and his failures,
and at the private sorrows which have afflicted his last years. In
both halves.of the novel Alan Massie has created a perfectly credible
and attractive man. The novel is written with style, a scathing
humour, vitality and color in a fine blend of scholarship and

historical imagination.

Executives and members of the Terrace and District Multicultural Association are currently preparing for this

year’s annual International Potluck Dinner. The event is traditionally held in the Terrace Arena banquet room, but
its increasing level of popularity required a larger building and the 1988 ethnic festival will take place in the Thorn-
hill Community Centre. Members shown here are (back, left to right) Larisa Tarwick, Jane Dickson, Nirmal Parmar,
Silvia Morales, Valerie Erho, (front, teft to right) Elizabeth Murdoch, Manny San Luls, and Adrienne Braid.

Multicultural Association:
A bridge to understanding

Have you ever thought about
how gestures are interpreted dif-
ferently by different cultures?

by Betty Barton

A Portuguese friend of mine,
when she first arrived in
Canada, tried to attract the
milkman’s attention to buy
some milk from his van, As was
a customary beckoning gesture
in Portugal, she raised her arm
straight out to the elbow and
paddled (dog paddle fashion)
with her forearm. The milkman,
misinterpreting the gesture to
mean ‘“‘Go away!’’, quickly ran
to the other side of the street and
thereafter avoided my friend’s
house. ..

The North American manner
of beckoning someone by cup-
ping your hand upwards and

flicking your fingers towards

yourself is considered impolite
in Southeast Asia. There, the

gesture is used only for calling -

the animals. One cups the hand
and fingers upwards to beckon
to a person,

When you speak with a
Ghanaian, and his eyes seem to
wander during the conversation,
he is not being inattentive, but
rather, polite, in Ghanaian
fashion. In Ghana, and many
other non-western countries, it is
impolite to look directly at
another person when speaking
to him.

In Japan, it is proper to belch
after a meal to show one’s ap-
preciation. In Chili, one would
never use a toothpick or put a
finger in one’s mouth, in a
public place. One would also
never stretch, except in the
privacy of your own home.

In Ghana, it is considered
rude to serve a beverage when
the glass is not full to the brim.
In Canada, especially when serv-
ing hot beverages, such as coffee
or tea, it is common to leave
enough room in the top of the
cup to allow the guest to add
cream and sugar.

Also in Ghana, the host or

_hostess feels honored when grac-

ed with a visit from a friend.
Thus, it is the host or hostess,
rather than the guest, who ex-
tends thanks for the visit.

In Indonesia, standing at ease,
with one’s hands clasped behind
one’s back, is an expression of
anger. In Wales, it is considered

an act of defiance or insolence to
put one’s hands on one’s hips
when talking to one’s elders.

In Asia, the head is considered
the most sacred part of the
body, so you would never pat an
adult or child on the head.
Queues or line-ups are not com-
mon practise in Asia, ‘so an
Asian butting into line does not
know he is being rude. —~

These are just a few examples

» of differences in cultures, which
need to be understood in order
for us to communicate clearly.
The Multicultural Association in
Terrace, formed four years ago,

functions as a meeting place for _

Canadians, both indigenous and ~
immigrant, to share their own
customs and better understand

‘others.

Since its inception, the
Multicultural Association has
been active in all aspects of life
in Terrace. It has promoted
English as a Second Language
and hopes to continue encourag-
ing and facilitating English
language training. In addition to
the actual language skills, ESL
courses include information on
cultural adaptation:

Last year, during Multicul-
tural Week held in February, In-

continued on page 23

Kinsmen Club of Terrace

> VALENTINE’S DAY

™

Continental Coiffures
Terrace Totem Ford

PRIZES INCLUDE:
* Hale appointment -

* Champagne tour to dinner

drinks and wine

TICKETS AVAILALE AT

in the alternoon af "Continental Colffures”
* Corsage and koutonniere - supplied by “Central Flowers”
*& Chauffeur driven Ilmosine ~ courtesy of “Totem Ford"

* Dinner at Manuel's - Sovteed prawns St. Jovian, Caesar salad,
Chateau Briand “Bouquettier”, Dessert of Choice, Pre-dinner

* Lave suite at the Desiderata - Champagne and fresh flowers
* Continental brunch - served in the suite the next morning
Prize only os advertised/Must be taken February 13, 1988

Central Flowers & Gifts
Any Kinsmen Member