_~V0Ppinion Victoria — Give a reporter a document, across the top of which is printed the word “confiden- tial,” and the professional saliva starts flowing. The temptation to fire up the old computer, call up the word processor and start typing becomes even greater when you realize that said confiden- tial document is addressed to the senior execu- tives of one of British Columbia’s forestry giants, Fletcher Challenge Canada. So what, if it’s 14 months old and probably no longer “operative,” as Tricky Dickie used to refer to things which, upon reflection, he’d rather not have said. The immediate reaction is: pick the thing over and let her rip. Confidential memor- anda make for juicy reading, particularly if they re called “Darwin,” implying a fight of the fittest for survival. At this point, responsible journalists part com- pany with those who don’t want to run the risk of letting facts get in the way of a good column. You call your contacts at Fletcher Challenge and ask them about Darwin. Yes, Darwin was written in September of 1990. Its purpose; to impress on the company that any major changes in its financial and business structure must be communicated to the various constituencies in advance. These constituencies include the employees, the shareholders, the government and the public. When the memorandum was prepared by Fletcher’s in-house public affairs staff, the com- pany was facing a bleak future, anticipating a $60 million loss for 1991. That forecast, it tums out, was conservative. Losses will be well over $100 million this year The company could either continue to sustain losses, something I am not too keen on in my own economic endeavors, or seek other solutions, including the liquidation of assets or entering into joint ventures with other investors. The memo does indicate that Fletcher is looking to the USS. for future investment, but then, that’s not very surprising. If they think they can stop losing money by investment in the U.S., they will do so. Apart from that, the only purpose of the memo was to tell Fletcher’s senior executives that whatever action the company would take, it must communicate its intentions in advance. Now, I’ve got to tell you that the boys at public affairs did one hell of a job pulling together all the pieces, right down to the negative responses it warned the company to anticipate. “Bottom-line mentality ... uncaring foreign Facis versus a good siory Owners ... company is stripping assets ... opportu- - nistic company taking advantage of downtum to pursue its ‘real agenda’ ... more union-busting,” are among the comments the memorandum says may come from the public, the employees and the politicians. It should be noted that the memorandum recommended that not only the government but also the then NDP opposition be apprised of the company’s plans. Well, as it turns out, the company bought into the ideas outlined in the Darwin memorandum. Last March, Fletcher Challenge announced that it wants to sell off most of its forestry operations and confine future activity to the pulp sector. But it did so only after informing all the players, including its employees and shareholders, the government, the opposition and the public through the media. : I must say that I was initially somewhat skeptical of the process recommended by the company’s public affairs staff in the memoran- dum. Some of the wording smacked of manipula- tion. When I re-read the document after talking to my Fletcher Challenge contacts, I found my suspicions of manipulation allayed, although some of ‘the phrases, such as “neutralizing negative responses,” aren’t very well chosen. On the other hand, it might be argued that the memorandum was, of course, never intended for the scrutiny of the media. It was an internal _ document addressed to the company’s senior execulives. The reason I deal with the memorandum at all is to point out how the word confidential seems to automatically qualify a document for front-page treatment. I think that the people who prepared the Darwin memorandum did a pretty good job convincing their senior company executives that they cannot and should not confront the public with a terse statement after the fact. Fletcher Challenge may not be the best corpor- ate citizen in British Columbia, but I cannot see anything wrong with how they went about informing everybody of their intentions to down- size, no matter what you may read elsewhere about the Darwin memorandum. As for the company’s plans to divest itself of some B.C. holdings, I’m not surprised. Forestry analyst Jaak Puusepp said at a recent seminar at the Pacific Paper Expo in Vancouver that “the industry could technically be declared bankrupt.” TheReview Wednesday, December 11,1991 — A7 SAANICH PENINSULA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE usiness GENERAL MEETING NO; & CHRISTMAS MIXER ENTRE Thursday, December 12, 5-7 p.m. at “Images” in the Travelidge, Sidney. $5.00/person Cash Bar, Everyone Welcome Donations to the Lions/Review Food Bank Gratefully Accepted APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SERVICES SS VISA xSHELL xMASTERCARD Corner of McTavish & E. Saanich Rd. 656-3939 Pre-Approved for 95% Financing ENJOY THE PRIVACY FROM OF ATTRACTIVE AND AFFORDABLE $7 9,250 CONDOMINIUMLIVING OPEN DAILY WELCOMETO... ME LORD from 12 to 4 p.m. & LADY eVERNMAES 655-0098 Grassroots smash IT’S A FANTASTIC array of comedy, drama, music, song and dance starting Thursday on stage at Parkland School as the Grassroots Theatre Company presents The Best of Grassroots. Open- ing with a “laugh-a-minute love-a-minute” com- edy starring Christina Kuzyk as the damsel in distress, Review columnist Mike Wallberg as the would-be hero and Jeff Dorion as the “man who has business to conduct.” Act Two features a “tour-de-force” called The Songs We Sing fea- turing 19 actors, dancers and singers in a stunning musical docu-drama about what its like to be young in a complex and confusing world. Moving and thought-provoking, Songs deals with the problems of growing up in a world of contradic- tions. It’s written and directed by Doug Bam- brough with “sensitive’’ choreography by Patti Tidquist. Tics are $7 reserved and $5 general, at the door for Thursday to Saturday performances. Showtime is 8 p.m. Call 656-5280, 9-3 Mon.- Thurs. and 9-1 Fridays for reservations. KKK IT’S BUSY TIMES for Santa Claus this year, especially Thursday Dec. 19. If you ride the Number 70 Pat Bay bus from the Saanichton exchange at 7:13 a.m., he’ll be there. Then, Starting at 7 p.m. Santa will make a live appearance for a special phone-in show on Shaw Cable 11. Last week, the merry man said: “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to talk with the kids of the Peninsula.” He’s agreed to take any last-minute gift suggestions during the one-hour appearance. * x * hit opens Thurs. oa x x A WINNING LIBRARY is at North Saanich Middle School this week after the announcement from the Canadian Institute for International Peace and Security that a $500 Peace and Security Bookshelf grant has been awarded to two B.C. schools. The North Saanich librarian will be able to select $500 worth of books and periodicals from a list prepared by the institute. The competi- tion aims to help school libraries develop their collections ion the area of international peace and security. The other winner was in Clearbrook. x *K x TURKEYS AND HAMS will be up for grabs as the Knights of Pythias hold the K.P. Christ- mas Bingo, Thursday, Dec. 19, starting at 7 p.m. Organizer Stan Watling said all money raised will go to charities. Admission to the Knight’s hall on Fourth Street in Sidney is free. * OK ANOTHER QUALITY PROJECT BY THE COTTAGE GROVE GROUP Sparkling Christmas Lights December 6th — January 6th RESTAURANTS As GIFT STORE ENTERTAINMENT For more formation and entertainment schedule please call 652-4422 or 652-5256 (recorded)