President Bush understands the importance of conveying America's message to the world. The Office of Global Communications (OGC) was formed in 2002 to coordinate strategic communications overseas that integrate the President's themes and truthfully depict America and Administration policies. Since better coordination of our international communications helps convey the truth about America and the goals we share with people everywhere, the President authorized OGC by Executive Order to communicate American policies and values -- with greater clarity and through dialogue with emerging voices around the globe.

The Office of Global Communications
OGC advises the President and his key representatives on the strategic direction and themes that the United States Government uses to reach foreign audiences. The Office assists in the development of communications that disseminate truthful, accurate, and effective messages about the American people and their government. With State Department Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs remaining at the frontlines of international communications, Global Communications coordinates the work of many agencies and Americans to convey a few simple but powerful messages. These messages are intended to prevent misunderstanding and conflict, build support for and among United States coalition partners, and better inform international audiences.

Countering propaganda and disinformation is an important role for the OGC. In January 2003, OGC produced Apparatus of Lies, a collection on the use of propaganda by Saddam Hussein and his regime. This volume was written to counter misinformation about America, the coalition, and Western intentions in Iraq. This collection helped undermine the use of these distortions during the liberation of Iraq.

In addition, Global Communications helps our government inform audiences about positive news stories . Iraqi children, the women of Afghanistan, the President's HIV/AIDS initiative and Millennium Challenge Account, and freedom in Iraq. Other efforts include telling the stories of torture and brutality in Saddam's Iraq and updates on the liberation of the Iraqi people.

OGC works closely with the communications office of the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and coordinates with public affairs operations at the State and Defense departments, USAID, Justice and Treasury departments, the U.S. military, and America's coalition partners.

America's Message to the World
"This is America's agenda in the world. From the defeat of terror, to the alleviation of disease and hunger, to the spread of human liberty, we welcome and we need the help, advice and wisdom of friends and allies."
-- President George W. Bush, May 31, 2003

The Office assists the President in communicating his message to the world -- dignity, peace and freedom for all people, everywhere. The "non-negotiable demands of human dignity" and the National Security Strategy's focus on peace and freedom are US Government policy, but they are also universal aspirations. As such, they provide a framework for more listening and greater dialogue around the globe, and a framework in which OGC coordinates initiatives on behalf of the President.

As the President says, we value the dignity of all human life. Family, learning and generosity, both here at home and around the world, are central to prosperity and peace for all.

Meanwhile, for security's sake, we seek to defend, preserve and extend the peace. The President's strategy makes clear that peace is defended by fighting terror and tyranny. Peace is preserved with good relations among great powers. And peace is extended by encouraging free and open societies.

And America must always stand for freedom. As the President plainly states, freedom is God's gift to every single person. Freedom is also the one true model for national success. Different circumstances require different methods -- we help societies so they can choose for themselves the rewards of political and economic freedom.

The President's Initiatives
The President understands that reaching global audiences -- especially people who are open to the truth but unsure or critical of some aspects of America -- will take many years, but we must begin to make a difference now.

OGC coordination efforts focus on 1) daily messages, 2) communications planning, and 3) long-term strategy.

1. OGC produces The Global Messenger, a one-page fact sheet sent world-wide to disseminate key points and daily activities on global issues. OGC leads a daily conference call of Administration leaders to coordinate near-term and mid-range communications planning. The office also works closely with the State and Defense Departments to ensure rapid response to allegations and rumors in the war on terror, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Road Map, HIV/AIDS, and the Millennium Challenge Account.


2. OGC helps develop and coordinate mid-range themes and events to support Presidential initiatives, such as his drive for Congressional and U.N. support for disarming Saddam Hussein. OGC has coordinated efforts to reveal the disinformation and propaganda of the Iraqi regime. Working closely with the Pentagon and all relevant agencies, OGC facilitates and coordinates the organization of teams of communicators to be sent proactively to foreign or domestic areas of high global interest and media attention. For example, one such team was stationed in Doha, Qatar during the liberation of Iraq and moved to Baghdad after, and another group worked with the international media in Kabul, Afghanistan for the Loya Jirga. These efforts underscore the ongoing US and coalition commitments to fostering freedom and the non-negotiable demands of human dignity.


3. OGC coordinates government-wide efforts to convey America's message to the world by improving communications about US humanitarian and pro-democracy efforts. Drawing on the President's outreach to Arab and Muslim audiences, OGC is working closely with the State Department to increase our interaction with existing pan-Arab news media. Also, the Office is encouraging efforts to reach Muslim audiences directly via US-supported broadcasting, exchanges, and new products.