US military continues Iraq propaganda operation despite probe

[Barrett808]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US military is continuing a controversial "information operations" program that paid Iraqi newspapers to run favorable stories even as it investigates the program, US defense spokesmen said.

General George Casey has named an unidentified high-level officer to review the program, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.

He said the review will look at policies and procedures governing the program and "whether or not people are performing their duties and responsibilities within those policy and procedure parameters."

Asked whether the program has been suspended in the meantime, Whitman said, "I don't know of any changes."

Lieutenant Colonel Barry Johnson, a military spokesman in Baghdad, said in an email that "MNF-I (Multi-National Forces-Iraq) has not directed that the IO (information operations) program be suspended."

"Any decision in that regard will come as a result of the investigation," he said.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051207/pl_afp/usiraqmilitarymedia