But what I find most striking about this cable is the hyper-focus on how Goldwyn had created a “postive buzz” that continued after his visit ended. In particular, Goldwyn’s message that the “U.S. views Canada as a valued and reliable energy partner.” was repeatedly said to be “music to their ears”. His message, of course, was directed at Canadian government members of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), and other Canadian energy groups. The cable even gushes that Goldwyn’s statements about U.S. trust in Canada for climate change targets was “immesurably helpful”. This then begs the question, how helpful can it really be to say, “we trust you!”?

In reality, this cable exemplifies how image, presentation, positive press and consequent public perception is at the heart of what the U.S. values in its relationship with other countries. The cable mentions a “well-publicized shut down of Shell’s Albian Sands mine by Greenpeace activists” just before Goldwyn’s arrival. Goldwyn’s suggestions for further research and “more positive news stories”, quoted in the above article is appreciated for its public relations appeal, and in no way responds to activists’ concerns. The “immense success” of Goldwyn’s visit that “has continued to reap positive engagement from Canadian interlocutors” is precisely the postive image that the Canadian energy industry had of its partnership with the U.S.

Finally, the September 23 Globe and Mail article (found here: http://www.capp.ca/aboutUs/mediaCentre/IndustryNews/Pages/Alberta-dirty-Oil.aspx#6nlgEC3LwMqk) resulting from Goldwyn’s interview with Campbell Clark, parallels the cable’s focus on public relations, insisting that the Alberta Clipper pipeline from Canada’s tar sands to Wisconsin is justified in being built for U.S. national security reasons. So in addition to assuring Canadian energy partners of U.S. cooperation, Goldwyn’s visit extended its public relations to the public sphere. The article does not mention any of the biggest concerns put forth by environmentalists, such as the devestation of Alberta’s lands and the greenhouse gas emissions (three times the amount emitted from production of conventional crude oil). The implicit message is, that in the end these complaints don’t really matter. The “positive buzz” in Canada’s energy industry and the government’s energy sector was the real success of Goldwyn’s visit, and the key to their continued cooperation.