ABSTRACT
The temper of the Americans is vindictive, like that of all serious and reflecting nations. The broad discussion on perceptions and images establishes the context in which Washington formulates United States (US) national interests regarding Quebec and regarding Canada. Quebec is considered French and is associated with the essentially positive attributes of other French-speaking communities. Ambassador Thomas Enders' statement appears to have signaled or caused no change in US policy or attitudes toward the provinces. From the Washington perspective, security interests are always primary or, put differently, all other interests are anchored in the security interest. In matters of commerce and trade, the interests of Canada as a whole, of Quebec, and of the US would at first glance seem closely parallel. The US views the border broadcasting issue in strictly economic and political terms as a form of Canadian government-manipulated commercial discrimination and also perhaps as a form of government interference in communication.
