Policy Forum on International Security Affairs
The Policy Forum on International Security Affairs is a neoconservative PR grouping reportedly launched in November 2002 as part of the US government's overseas propaganda activities. Although it is registered in the US the Forums main operations seem to be in the UK where it is registered as a company under the name Policy Forum on International Security Issues. The Policy Forum hosts roundtable discussions which bring together US policy makers and the international press corps. It has also been courting key Arab media in small sessions.[1] As of September 2006 the forum was granted tax exempt status in the US.[2]
According to official filings, the Pentagon reported (on 23 July 2007) its intention to award a 'sole source contract' to the Policy Forum, the purpose of which was 'for technical support and consulting services for public liaison and media outreach services in support of the diplomacy mission including addressing and informing European and Middle Eastern audiences on the challenges facing U.S. National Security policies. The awardee will engage London based European and Arab media in candid discussions on a wide variety of national security issues of interest to senior Department of Defense (DoD) officials.' The contract is for 'a 12-month base period and (4) 12-month option periods.'[3]
The Policy Forum closely coordinates with Eric Edelman, the neocon appointed by Cheney to replace Douglas Feith at the Pentagon. It is run by Devon Gaffney Cross whose name appears on company documents at an address in New York.
Israel Conneciton
Policy Forum has overlapping membership and strong institutional ties with the Israel lobby groups One Jerusalem and Case for Freedom. The interrelationship that is underlined by the fact that, until July 2007, Policy Forum's email account, press@policyforumuk.com, was hosted by the “onejerusalem.org” mail server, according to VisualRoute tracking software.Cite error: Invalid <ref>
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Principals
- Devon Cross - executive director
- Steven Schneier - director
- Allen Roth
Roundtable Speakers
Address
The forum is registered as tax exempt to an address in New York, though strangely its function is said to be 'Housing Development, Construction, Management' at 153 E 53rd ST 49th Flr, New York, NY 10022-4611[4]
Affiliations
Notes
- ↑ Jim Lobe, More on That Meeting in Prague…, Lobelog.com, 14 June 2007
- ↑ [http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organizations/new_york_ny_10022.asp?spg=4
- ↑ Sole Source Notification GovCB Opps ID : ADP11852426910000360 Document Type: Presolicitation Notice FSC Code: R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services, Set Aside: Total Small Business, Solicitation No.: HQ0034-07-P-1090, Source: http://www1.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/WHS/REF/HQ0034%2D07%2DP%2D1090/SynopsisP.html Posted Date: Jul 23, 2007]
- ↑ POLICY FORUM ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY Tax Exempt/NonProfit Organization Information