Backscratching

From the August 24, 2007 edition of that horrid mainland Canadian imperialist-colonialist newspaper, the National Post:

Danny Williams—he's the man

Re: Williams Secures Hebron Deal, Aug. 22.

In business it is said that sometimes the best deal is the one you don't do. Based on the mutual satisfaction now expressed by both the oil consortium set to develop the Hebron oil development and the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the breakdown of negotiations to develop this oil field over a year ago may just have been one of these times.

Premier Danny Williams has been vilified by the national media for not taking the development deal being offered by the oil consortium just over a year ago. His reason: He had promised that he would not continue on in the long-standing tradition of giving away resources without optimizing the return to the province.

Fast forward just one year later and oil prices remain high, proponents of the Hebron development continue to deliver great value to their shareholders, and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador continues on its path to fiscal independence. While Premier Williams was sharply criticized for his tough negotiating style, I find it refreshing to witness a politician that actually keeps his word.

Ray Dillon, St. John's.