The US-led occupation in Iraq has enlisted a British public relations firm to help promote the establishment of democracy in the country.
The firm, Bell Pottinger, based in London, is creating TV and radio commercials that will explain to Iraqis how and why the US is handing over sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government in June. The advertising campaign will begin next week on local and satellite stations in Iraq.
Bell Pottinger, a subsidiary of Chime Communications, has decades of experience. Chairman Lord Tim Bell ran publicity campaigns for former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
The company represented South Africa's National Party in post-apartheid elections, and still represents former South African president F.W. de Klerk.
Earlier this month, Bell Pottinger signed a US$5.6-million contract with the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority. The firm hopes to work for the UN after the June transition to publicize Iraq's first democratic election.
The commercials will carry a "message of participation in the democratic process, and the hope for the future that democracy brings to Iraq," said Michael Pierson, the occupation authority's communication planner.
"We're trying to keep people informed about the process and persuade them to participate in it," Bell said. He declined to provide other details, saying he'd prefer that the spots were viewed by Iraqis first.
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