Iraqi Kurds Seek U.S. Influence, Get Pro-War Help

"In the past year, the [Iraqi] Kurds have spent more than $3 million to retain lobbyists and set up a diplomatic office in Washington," writes Rajiv Chandrasekaran. "They are cultivating grass-roots supporters of President Bush's war policy," including through the PR firm Russo Marsh & Rogers and its pro-war project, Move America Forward, as was reported previously by the Center for Media and Democracy. "And they are seeking to build an emotional bond with ordinary Americans ... by running commercials on national cable news outlets." In Washington, the Kurdish Regional Government is represented by Qubad Talabani, the son of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Qubad "has more clout than any other Iraqi in Washington because of his ability to call his father," and because Iraqi Kurds hold "enough seats in Iraq's parliament to wield effective veto power over ... legislation sought by the United States." The Kurds retain Barbour, Griffith and Rogers, and credit the lobbying firm with winning $1.4 billion in "oil-for-food money" for the Kurdish Regional Government. Future plans include running "The Other Iraq" TV commercials "on prime-time network television."