-Caveat Lector- >From JPost
US group says Israel is drag on US PR Janine Zacharia Jul. 31, 2002 WASHINGTON - The US must do a better job explaining why it supports Israel if it wants to improve its image in the Arab world, a new report issued by the Council on Foreign Relations says. Figuring out how to improve America's image abroad has taken on a higher priority since September 11 as the US pursues its war on terrorism. The report, completed by an Independent Task Force on Public Diplomacy, says for public diplomacy to be effective it "must be a central element of foreign policy." "This does not mean that the United States should change policies in order to make them easier to sell. But it does mean that the effect of US policy abroad should be fully considered in shaping and communicating it," the report says. Israel, it says, is a "prime example of an unpopular policy that the US should not change merely to curry favor or world audiences. Washington, however, must do better in explaining the motivations behind its policies." "Without casting itself as Israel's special champion, messages should point out that the United States is a democratic country, and that US policy toward Israel and on other issues is heavily influenced by the views of Congress, powerful interest groups, the press, and public opinion generally," the report says. It makes seven specific recommendations on how to market US policy toward Israel including: stressing widespread sympathy for preservation of state of Israel and its security; highlighting decisions by Egypt and Jordan to establish ties; and emphasizing "that the United States is committed to the survival of Israel, while also trying to curb the widespread impression that the United States unconditionally supports Israeli policies." The US should also highlight American support for a viable Palestinian state negotiated on the basis of UN resolutions "and a desire to see an end to Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank soon," it says. The US has taken several key steps in the public diplomacy arena in recent months, including appointing an undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and launching a successful Arabic-language radio station, Radio Sawa. The CFR report recommends the creation of a Public Diplomacy Coordinating Structure led by the president's personal designee to ensure action and coordination at the highest level. Along those lines, the Washington Post reported yesterday that the White House plans to set up a Office of Global Communications to coordinate the administration's foreign policy message and supervise America's image abroad. This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/A/JPArticle/ ShowFull&cid=1027506396500 [ Back to the Article ] Copyright 1995-2002 The Jerusalem Post - http://www.jpost.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A<>E<>R + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Forwarded as information only; no automatic endorsement + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." --- Ernest Hemingway <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
