Cast In a New Light
Court those whose profession it is to garner impressions in the search for news of value and public interest, and who then, in the way of the Fifth Estate, fashion the background mind-set of readers, and you've won half the battle. Marketing and public relations are now inextricably wound up and bonded with the dissemination of news. Make a good impression - all the better, a profoundly good impression - on those news-hawks whose readership responds by fixing second-hand impressions as their own, and you've won the game.It is a game, after all, isn't it? How one presents to the outside world? Yet, when it would seem that a group like OPEC, after all, collectively own and make available 40% of the world's most valued resource, it's puzzling in a way why the effort would be undertaken to change the current impression from that of buzzards on the world body to respecters of the public weal. In the search of which attainment, Saudi Arabia is presenting as a solidly responsible member of the world body.
In contrast, say, to other OPEC members with a somewhat more tarnished reputation, like Iran and Venezuela. Not the countries, necessarily, but the leaders thereof. Whose globally anti-social, imperialist-deploring (in an age where imperialism is a dim vestige of a colonial, resource-greedy past - in the Western world, not necessarily elsewhere in the globe) diatribes seek to belie their own inter-governance reflecting brutally abusive repression.
Led by Saudi Arabia, OPEC's leaders have acquitted themselves downright nobly in publicly asserting that it is their combined intention to continue supplying a needy energy-hungry world with "economical and reliable" oil. The politics of bullying and chauvinistic triumphalism will not be practised by the group as a whole; it will continue to be confined to several of its rather outstanding members.
"Our organization is well-positioned to continue to meet a substantial share of the global petroleum need", according to a closing OPEC declaration at the Third OPEC Summit held in Riyadh. Short-term price volatility is to be avoided under this latest pact, as OPEC seeks to avoid inconveniencing producers and consumers. Does this then mean that the fossil-fuel clique no longer intends to use its clout as an economic and political arm-twist?
To ensure that the world gets the message, roughly one thousand foreign journalists were right royally treated to the inside track. Imagine, rough-hewn, hardtack journalists given the royal treatment; chauffeured about with police escorts, received by dignitaries and royalty, dined sumptuously, their every comfort assured, waited upon by English-speaking courtiers. Free meals and Starbucks coffee, and female journalists garbed in long black abayas - dining alongside their male counterparts. Now that's special privilege.
OPEC is now, by consensus and a little bit of internal strong-arming, to be considered a respectable organization of moderating purpose, a reliable supplier of raw energy with a global conscience. Newly concerned about the potential impact of rising oil prices. Signally, aware of the vital importance of conservation, possible alternative energy sources, and the deleterious impact of global warming caused by man-made pollution; or nature helped along by humankind.
In this new sense of a collective social, environmental, economic responsibility they are now to be recognized as politically active. No other axes to grind but to do their oil-rich best as the ultimate corporate citizens of the world. And to prove they mean business in their line of business they have launched a fund in support of research on the impact on our environment through the use of unbridled energy.
Saudi Arabia has initiated the funding with an impressive initial $300-million, seconded by Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates each tossing in an additional $150-million. That's a new riff on putting your money where your mouth is. But considering the source, pin money. And really, this is a very nice, very kind, very acceptable alternation from how the world has traditionally perceived the business of OPEC.
Returning to the world community, as a gesture of solidarity. "We are committed to the promotion of the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forest", saith the group. Rather ironic, no? The desert yielding untold billions' worth of fossil fuels, embracing the need to bolster the mechanical respiratory utility of the world's forests.
Pollution and antidote.
Life is so livable, things are just so downright pleasant when everyone sees fit to be nice.
Labels: Environment, Middle East, Political Realities
posted by Pieface @ Monday, November 19, 2007
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