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Public Relations Attacks
Wednesday, February 20, 2002
By Sally Buzbee
The Associated Press

Pentagon plan may wreck U.S. credibility

WASHINGTON -- AP
The Pentagon is working on a plan to influence public opinion in both hostile and friendly nations to help the war against terrorism -- a still-developing effort that critics say could spread false information at home and abroad.

The Office of Strategic Influence, set up after the Sept. 11 attacks, has come up with proposals including the placing of news items -- false if need be -- with foreign news organizations, a defense official said Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

The office is considering having an outside organization distribute the information so it would not be apparent it came from the Defense Department, the official said.

The Bush administration worries it is losing public support overseas, especially among Muslims who think the United States is hostile toward Islam.
(More: The Tallahassee Democrat News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

Dan