http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/18/clarity-on-pipeline-decision-from-north-of-the-border/
January 18, 2012, 7:21 pm
Clarity on Pipeline Decision, From North of the Border
By JACKIE CALMES
For White House reporters covering President Obama's controversial decision on Wednesday to reject, for now, the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, it helped to have a colleague reporting from the Canadian prime minister's office.
Reporters routinely complain that so-called readouts from the White House providing information on Mr. Obama's private calls or meetings with foreign leaders are mostly information-free. Wednesday's 31-word example — on Mr. Obama's call to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a pipeline supporter, about his decision — was more cryptic than most. But what really made it stand out was the contrast with the Canadian version that preceded it in Ottawa.
First, the Canadian readout:
"Earlier this afternoon, Prime Minister Stephen Harper received a phone call from Barack Obama, president of the United States. President Obama informed the prime minister of his administration's decision to turn down TransCanada's application to build and operate the Keystone XL pipeline.
"The president explained that the decision was not a decision on the merits of the project and that it was without prejudice, meaning that TransCanada is free to reapply. Prime Minister Harper expressed his profound disappointment with the news. He indicated to President Obama that he hoped that this project would continue given the significant contribution it would make to jobs and economic growth both in Canada and the United States of America.
"The prime minister reiterated to the president that Canada will continue to work to diversify its energy exports."
(That final paragraph amounts to a veiled threat in diplomatic-speak – Mr. Harper's message that Canada will sell its tar sands oil somewhere regardless, probably China.)
And now, the White House readout:
"President Obama called Prime Minister Harper to personally convey his administration's decision on the Keystone pipeline. The president also reaffirmed the close alliance and friendship between the United States and Canada."
comments follow
January 18, 2012, 7:21 pm
Clarity on Pipeline Decision, From North of the Border
By JACKIE CALMES
For White House reporters covering President Obama's controversial decision on Wednesday to reject, for now, the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, it helped to have a colleague reporting from the Canadian prime minister's office.
Reporters routinely complain that so-called readouts from the White House providing information on Mr. Obama's private calls or meetings with foreign leaders are mostly information-free. Wednesday's 31-word example — on Mr. Obama's call to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a pipeline supporter, about his decision — was more cryptic than most. But what really made it stand out was the contrast with the Canadian version that preceded it in Ottawa.
First, the Canadian readout:
"Earlier this afternoon, Prime Minister Stephen Harper received a phone call from Barack Obama, president of the United States. President Obama informed the prime minister of his administration's decision to turn down TransCanada's application to build and operate the Keystone XL pipeline.
"The president explained that the decision was not a decision on the merits of the project and that it was without prejudice, meaning that TransCanada is free to reapply. Prime Minister Harper expressed his profound disappointment with the news. He indicated to President Obama that he hoped that this project would continue given the significant contribution it would make to jobs and economic growth both in Canada and the United States of America.
"The prime minister reiterated to the president that Canada will continue to work to diversify its energy exports."
(That final paragraph amounts to a veiled threat in diplomatic-speak – Mr. Harper's message that Canada will sell its tar sands oil somewhere regardless, probably China.)
And now, the White House readout:
"President Obama called Prime Minister Harper to personally convey his administration's decision on the Keystone pipeline. The president also reaffirmed the close alliance and friendship between the United States and Canada."
comments follow
