The U.S. military is in the process of hiring a public relations firm to help it carry out “information operations” in Iraq, “to counter insurgent misinformation tactics.” An Army public affairs officer said the goal of the work is to communicate “with people in Iraq in as many ways [as] possible what we’re trying to do to help them, and what we’re trying to do to prevent people from using these ruthless roadside bombs that blow up people in streets, in schools, and synagogues.” The one-year contract may be extended for up to three years and cost up to $300 million. “Public affairs executives speaking on background said the contract has elicited a lot of attention from Washington agencies because of its potential size,” reports PR Week, “but that firms with previous experience working in dangerous, high-security environments in Iraq — such as Lincoln Group, The Rendon Group and MPRI — would have an inside track on winning the bid.”

Source; PR Week, August 21, 2008  summarized by www.democracyinaction.org

Here’s an idea, rather than spend $100 million on PR, let’s get the hell out and spend the money on health care for our war veterans!

Roxanne

“The United States is spending more money than ever on private security contractors in Iraq as thousands of troops return home amid steady declines in insurgent attacks.” Over $1.2 billion will have been spent this year on “contractors, who protect diplomats, civilian facilities and supply convoys.”

A Washington law firm “filed a lawsuit yesterday against KBR, one of the largest U.S. contractors in Iraq, alleging that the company and its Jordanian subcontractor engaged in the human trafficking of Nepali workers.” The firm says 13 Nepali men were recruited for kitchen work in Jordan only to have their passports seized upon arrival and “told they were being sent to a military facility in Iraq.”

www.americanprogressaction.org