From: Irwin, William (erwin) Sent: Thu Mar 26 15:36:41 2009 To: 'Chris Gidez' Subject: RE: Response Eanguage for Crude Importance: Normal Asking Donehoo to 1D someone. Kent or someone needs to follow with CRC also. From: Chris Gidez Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 11:27 AM To: Irwin, William (Wirwin) Subject: RE: Response language for Crude Did you get a body to attend yet. Why not send Wayne Berman?? He blends into a crowd well (not). From: Irwin, William (Wirwin) [maiito:Wirwin?pehevroncoml Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 11:26 AM To: Chris Gidez; Robertson, Kent Cc: Adan] Bromberg; Greg Mueller; jbcraig@gmail.com Subject: RE: Response language for Crude Understand. We may end up with two response. One for local screenings and one for the broader world. From: Chris Gidez Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 11:23 AM To: Irwin, William (erwin); Robertson, Kent Cc: Adam Bromberg; Greg Mueller; jbcraig@gmail.com Subject: RE: Response language for Crude Just keep in mind this is not intended solely for DC audiences. Our L-T strategy is to demonize Donziger. This ?lm provides us a great opportunity to do so. CVX-RICO-4875276 From: Irwin, William (erwin) [maiito:erwin?lehevroneom] Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 11:16 AM To: Chris Gidez; Robertson, Kent Cc: Adam Bromberg; Greg Mueller; jbcraig@gmail.com Subject: RE: Response language for Crude We agree with Chris' premise that we should not tread on Berlinger because there has been effort to put some baiance into the documentary. With that in mind even the opening is perhaps a bit harsh for the current climate in WDC. It is important to carefully respond in areas where the ?lm is silent when facts are helpful to Chevron or when there are misstatements. In any communications, we shouid make sure that we recognize that harm has been done, but that Petro Ecuador in charge of the oil ?elds for 19 years -- is the culprit. Give us some time with this, and we wili try to fold these Views into the actual text. From: Chris Gidez Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 9:34 AM To: Irwin, William (erwin); Robertson, Kent Cc: Adam Bromberg; Greg Mueller; jbcraig@gmail.com Subject: RE: Response language for Crude I offer some suggested response language beiow. I don?t think we should go too hard on Berlinger (though not give him a free pass). We should direct our statement mostly at Donziger. With respect to the LOC matter, I see that it is open to the pubhc (though RSVP is required). We ought to send someone, not only to see the ?lm, but to see who is there. I would not be surprised if Donziger, Fajardo or folks from Amazon Watch show tip (or even from the Ecuadorian Embassy). If Donziger or Fajardo show up, we could make the case that using a LOC facility is inappropriate insofar as the screening is being used to advance the interests of lawyers in a private civil dispute. Let me know if you want to discuss. Here is the suggested response?only statement (I have highlighted passages to use if we need short soundbites): The ?lm ?Crude? would never be seen as a balanced depiction of the complex issues associated with the ongoing lawsuit against Chevron in Ecuador stemming from the past involvement of its subsidiary, Texaco Petroleum Company, in an oil production consortium in that country. While the ?lmmaker, Joe Berlinger, may have set outwith the best of intentions, his film is little more than a propaganda tool being used by the plaintiffs? attorneys and the activist groups supporting them to raise support for their campaign against Chevron. Indeed, as we understand it, the key protagonist in the fihn, attorney Steven Donziger, was actually the person responsible for convincing Mr. Berlinger to produce the ?lm, and seemingly CVX-RICO-4875277 facilitated just about every aspect ofit. The ?lm itself deals more with the campaign that Mr. Donziger and his associates wage against Chevron than the plight of the people of the Oriente. In a revealing moment, one of Mr. Donziger?s colleagues admits that he is working on the lawsuit for the primary purpose of enriching his law ?rm, as opposed to helping the people he purports to represent. In another passage from the ?lm, Mr. Donziger is seen belittling the testimony that an indigenous Ecuadorian Indian plans to present at a Chevron shareholder meeting. Elsewhere in the ?lm, Mr. Donziger admits to using pressure tactics against in Ecuadorian judge; something that even Mr. Donziger acknowledges would never be attempted in a US. court. And Mr. Donziger talks about ways in which he can get more money out of Chevron. Mr. Donziger is also seen as whispering in the ear of Ecuador President Rafael Correa, and discussing ways in which he can enlist President Correa?s intervention in the case. In this regard, the ?lm unintentionally but persuasively validates the concerns Chevron has raised that the lawyers behind this lawsuit are employing unethical means to corrupt the judicial process in their pursuit of a lucrative payday at the expense of Chevron and its sharehoiders. What the ?lm does not address in any signi?cant way, however, is the 18 year record of environmental mismanagement of the government?s own oil company, which has exclusively operated the oil ?elds since 1990. As a ?lmmaker and not a journalist, Mr. Berlinger is not held to the normal standards of balance and accuracy expected of the news media. And his ?lm re?ects this. From: Irwin, William (Wirwin) [mailto:erwin??ehevroncom] Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 7:26 AM To: Robertson, Kent Cc: Chris Gidez; Adam Bromberg; Greg Mueller Subject: Response language for Crude Isn't there already some prepared response language for Crude. and if so, can you please provide so I can look at it from a WDC perspective. Given the McGovern hosted showing 3 1 st afternoon at the Library of Congress, we want CVX-RICO-4875278 to be prepared. Chris, same query to you due to time zone ef?ciencies. Adam/Greg, FYI. Bill Irwin Manager - International Government Affairs Policy, Government and l3ubiic Affairs Chevron 1401 Street NW, Suite 1200 Washington DC 20005-2225 Tel 202 408 5854 Fax 202 408 5842 erwin@chevron.com DO NOT read, copy or disseminate this communication unless you are the intended addressee. This communication may contain information that is priviteged, con?dential and exempt from disclosure under applicable iaw. If you are not the intended recipient, you are on notice that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or taking any action in reliance on the contents of the electronically transmitted materials is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please call us (coltect) immediately at 202 408 5800 and ask to speak to the sender of the communication. Aiso, please notify the sender immediately via e-mail that you have received the communication in error. Thank you. CVX-RICO-4875279