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Source: According to a December 11, 2005 ''New York Times'' article<ref>Jeff Gerth, [http://wetfeetwww.internshipprogramsnytimes.com/InternshipDetail2005/12/11/politics/11propaganda.asp?InternshipID=23678 WetFeet: html "The Internship Search EngineMilitary's Information War Is Vast and Often Secretive," (11/8/2004)]''New York Times'', accessed June 14December 11, 2005; [http:.<//wwwref>, Iraqex's "stated purpose was to provide support services for business development, trade and investment in Iraq.arabbankersThe company's earliest ventures there included providing security to the military and renovating buildings.org/shared/content/storyIraqex also started a short-lived online business publication.jsp?_event=view&_id=445502_c_sU127360_s_i176770 same information] " The ''Times'' also found reported on the 2004 partnership between Iraqex and Rendon. Together they "won a $5 million Pentagon contract for an advertising and public relations campaign to 'accurately inform the Iraqi people of the Coalition's goals and gain their support.' Soon, the [[Arab Bankers Association of North AmericaIraqex]] websitechanged its name to Lincoln Group. It is not clear how the partnership was formed; Rendon dropped out weeks after the contract was awarded," the ''Times'' wrote.
==Scope of "Services"==In reference to the September 27, 2004, Agence France Presse article [http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/09/27/d40927050357.htm "Iraq businesses upbeat despite security fearsChristian Bailey,"] which stated that an executive at Iraqex was "a US firm involved in a range of activities from manufacturing construction materials to `providing logistics/Lincoln, told '' for US forces ...", O'Dwyer'Pinto Beanss'' his company [http://pintobeanshad] established four offices in Baghdad and other outposts, including an additional operation in Basra.iblogsHe said Iraqex began handling PR work for private entities in sectors like manufacturing and finance within the country last year and has established close ties with 300-400 members of the Iraqi media.com/2005/12/02/white-house-claims-it-wants-answers-on-iraq-propaganda-scandel/ commented] December 2, 2005: "
:"Odd in this articleThe company, that included in which submitted a proposal of $5.5 million for the list first year of services Lincoln Group (Iraqex) that they are providing is 'logistics for US forces'. When was the last time that a simple sweeping PR firm provides logistical support? Further, what construction materials are they manufacturing, and are there even more hidden contractsadvertising contract, and or secret operations associated with them? The claim of providing US troops with Logistical support has a certain air of AUTHORITY, and makes one wonder if we are looking at something more along beat five other firms. A contracting officer for the lines of a company created as political pay back for a host of Bush Cronies, including perhaps various members of military did not disclose the World Intelligence Community when we look briefly at competitors" to ''O'Dwyer's'' "or an email address to this website or in an e-mail to the resume of another losing bidders." [Lincoln Grouphttp://www.odwyerpr.com/members/archived_stories_2004/september/0930iraq.htm+%22Christian+Bailey%22&hl=en On Christian Bailey,] board member''O'Dwyer's'', [[Andrew Garfield]]September 2004. Available by subscription only."</ref>
SW: update
'''Iraqex''' (Iraqex LLC) was "formed with the backing " of Lincoln Asset Management Group (The [[Lincoln Group|Lincoln Asset Management Group]] ), "with the assistance of a cadre of investors, to pursue private sector opportunities in [[Iraq]]. Iraqex brings a unique combination of expertise in collecting and exploiting information; structuring transactions; and mitigating risks through due diligence, legal strategies and security. Iraqex has developed subsidiaries and private equity investments in Iraq spanning commercial real estate, manufacturing, metals, transportation, and communications," its website states. <ref>[http://www.lincolngroup.com Lincoln Group] website.</ref> "Iraqex recently [2004] won a three-year contract to provide all Public Relations, outreach, and media monitoring & analysis for [[Coalition Provisional Authority|Coalition Forces ]] across Iraq. This includes:
*Providing Strategic Counsel
"This is the PR challenge of the decade: how to alter Iraqis' perceptions of the Coalition Forces. We've been given wide latitude and urged to be creative in the approaches we take. We also have a good budget and use of the Coalition's assets across Iraq.
"Iraqex benefits from strong relationships in Iraq, the U.S. and internationally. In Iraq, it has cultivated relationships with the Iraqi national government, municipalities, tribal leaders, prominent families, and the business community. Iraqex has a thriving network of offices from Basra in the South to Zakho in the North and has worked with over 300 Iraqi journalists. In the U.S., Iraqex partners enjoy select relationships in Congress," the [[Bush administration]], [[Overseas Private Investment Corporation]] (OPIC), [[Export-Import Bank of the United States]], and the [[U.S. Department of State]].<ref>Marie-Thérèse Abou-Daoud, [http://www.arabbankers.org/shared/content/story.jsp?_event=view&_id=445502_c_sU127360_s_i176770 Job announcement: Vice President, Operations - Iraq,] [[Arab Bankers Association of North America]], December 3, 2004.</ref> ==Scope of "Services"==In reference to a September 27, 2004, Agence France Presse article<ref>[http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/09/27/d40927050357.htm "Iraq businesses upbeat despite security fears,"] Agence France Presse (''The Daily Star''), September 27, 2004.</ref> which stated that Iraqex was "a US firm involved in a range of activities from manufacturing construction materials to 'providing logistics' for US forces ...", the ''Pinto Beans'' Blog commented December 2, 2005:<ref>[http://pintobeans.iblogs.com/2005/12/02/white-house-claims-it-wants-answers-on-iraq-propaganda-scandel/ "White House claims it wants answers on Iraq propaganda scandal,"] ''Pinto Beans'' Blog, December 2, 2005.</ref> :"Odd in this article, that included in the list of services Lincoln Group (Iraqex) that they are providing is 'logistics for US forces'. When was the last time that a simple PR firm provides logistical support? Further, what construction materials are they manufacturing, and are there even more hidden contracts, and or secret operations associated with them? The claim of providing US troops with Logistical support has a certain air of AUTHORITY, and makes one wonder if we are looking at something more along the lines of a company created as political pay back for a host of Bush Cronies, including perhaps various members of the World Intelligence Community when we look briefly at the resume of another [Lincoln Group] board member, [[Andrew Garfield]]." ==Contracts==In September 2004, the major [[public relations]] contract for the [[Multi-National Corps-Iraq]] was awarded to Iraqex, a "business clearinghouse company formed specifically to provide a swath of services in the war-torn country." The Washington DC-based Lincoln Alliance Corporation, a "business 'intelligence' company that handles services from 'political campaign intelligence' to commercial real estate in Iraq," set up Iraqex last year. Iraqex has four Iraq offices, including in Baghdad and Basra. Iraqex will develop video and print publications, purchase TV and radio time, and oversee public affairs and advertising for MNC-I, to ensure "that the [[Coalition Provisional Authority|Coalition]] gains widespread Iraqi acceptance of its core themes and messages."<ref>]http://www.odwyerpr.com/members/washington_report/2004/1118iraqex.htm On Iraqex,] ''O'Dwyer's'', September 2004. Available by subscription only.</ref> Iraqex subsequently changed its name to Lincoln Group, after its holding company, Lincoln Alliance Corporation. Lincoln Group has a $6 million, 3-year PR contract for the U.S. -led Multi-National Corps-Iraq, for which it "develops video, audio and print products to support MNC-I initiatives." It also published [the] ''[[Iraq Business Journal]]'', a "monthly publication on contract opportunities, life in Iraq and classifieds." The publication recently interviewed [[Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani|Grand Ayatolla Ali Al-Sistani]], who said foreign investment is acceptable, as long as the investor is not with the [[occupation forces in Iraq|"occupation forces"]] or taking "advantage of any instability." Lincoln Group is still looking for interns.<ref>[Department http://www.odwyerpr.com/members/0316iraqex.htm On Iraqex,] ''O'Dwyer's''. Available by subscription only.</ref> ==Iraqex 2004==In the fall of State2004, [[Christian Bailey]] formed a Lincoln subsidiary, called Iraqex. The UK's ''Independent'' reported in December 2005 that Iraqex "seems to have formed a partnership with another American PR firm called [[Rendon Group|Rendon]], famous in Washington for having promoted [[Ahmed Chalabi]] and his [[Iraqi National Congress]]."<ref>Andrew Buncombe, [http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article333629.ece "So, just who is Christian Bailey? A 30-year-old Oxford graduate with no public relations experience has been handed a $100m contract by the Pentagon - to plant false stories in Iraqi papers,"]''The Independent'' (UK), December 17, 2005.</ref>
==Iraq Base Camp==
The "company's base at Camp Victory (within Baghdad International Airport) and Erbil in the Kurdish North." [http://www.arabbankers.org/shared/content/story.jsp?_event=view&_id=445502_c_sU127360_s_i176771Job search includes background information on Iraqex] , Arab Bankers Association of North America, December 3, 2004; accessed August 9, 2007.</ref>
==Contact Detailsinformation==
'''United States'''<br>
Iraqex<br>
*URL http://www.iraqex.com will bring up the Iraqex website, but immediately redirects to the [[Lincoln Group]] website.
==Resources and articles=====References===<references/> ===External articles===*[http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/09/27/d40927050357.htm "Iraq businesses upbeat despite security fears,"] Agence France Presse, September 27, 2004: "[[Paige Craig]], executive vice president of Iraqex, a US firm involved in a range of activities from manufacturing construction materials to 'providing logistics' for US forces, disagreed with the general view that the security situation was deteriorating. ... 'People think it's getting worse because they only pay attention to foreigners (who are being taken hostage and often executed). But it's definitely more secure now than it was' a year ago, he told AFP."*[http://www.prwatch.org/node/2950 "Iraq: Advertising the Best Intentions,"] ''PR Watch'', September 30, 2004.*John McCaslin, [http://washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20041006-125542-5370r "Inside Track: Risky Affairs,"] ''Washington Times'', October 6, 2004: " For his end of the bargain, Uncle Sam will provide office space, supplies and e-mail service, along with living space, health care and dining facilities for the firm's employees while in Iraq."*Bilmon, [http://billmon.org/archives/001900.html "Blowback,"] ''Whiskey Bar'', June 12, 2005.*Garance Franke-Ruta, [http://www.prospect.org/weblog/archives/2005/11/index.html#008474 "The Lincoln Group's Partisan Staffers,"] ''TAPPED'', November 30, 2005. *[http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=914257&ct=1656447 "Lincoln Group Staffed by Conservative Political Operatives,"] ''The Progress Report'' ([[Center for American Progress]]), December 1, 2005. re [[Jonathan Blessing]] and [[Brian Swift]] ====[[Lincoln Group: External Links|External articles on the Lincoln Group]]==== ===External resources=======Websites====
*[http://www.lawksalih.com/ Lawk Salih: "Latest news and updates on Iraq and the reconstruction efforts."]
*[http://wetfeet.internshipprograms.com/InternshipDetail.asp?InternshipID=23678 WetFeet: "The Internship Search Engine,"] last updated November 8, 2004.
===Job Announcements===*[http://www.arabbankers.org/shared/content/story.jsp?_event=view&_id=445502_c_sU127360_s_i176771 About Iraqex Announcement for Chief Operating Officer] and [http://www.arabbankers.org/shared/content/story.jsp?_event=view&_id=445502_c_sU127360_s_i176770 Vice President Operations], Arab Bankers Association of North America (ABANA) website, December 3, 2004. ===About Iraqex===
*[http://www.arabo.com/links/,199,225,218,209,199,222/,212,209,223,199,202/,206,207,227,199,202/ Iraqex], ''ababo.com'', undated: "Iraqex has developed a number of businesses in Iraq spanning commercial real estate, manufacturing, metals, transportation, and communications Tel +964 790 137 4965 Baghdad +964 780 101 9240 Basra."
*[http://www.iraqbusinessjournal.com/index_files/Page7655.html Advertisement: "IRAQEX: Iraq Business Exchange,"] ''[[Iraq Business Journal]]'', undated. See box in upper righthand corner of page: Iraqex "is pursuing investments and developing joint ventures with local businesses in Iraq. Iraqex staff travel and operate freely throughout the country. We take a very aggressive approach and immerse ourselves in the social, political, and business environments of the varied provinces and cities across Iraq. Our participation in the social, political, and business events of the country provides us with unique insight and understanding of the situation. We rely on a vast group of locals who assist us in security, due diligence, negotiations, relationship building, and other tasks vital to the development of secure, sustainable business." URL: www.iraqex.com.
===Articles & Commentary=Job Announcements====*[http://www.thedailystararabbankers.net/2004org/09shared/27content/d40927050357story.htm "Iraq businesses upbeat despite security fears,"] ''Agence France Presse'', September 27, 2004: "[[Paige Craig]], executive vice president of jsp?_event=view&_id=445502_c_sU127360_s_i176771 Iraqex, a US firm involved in a range of activities from manufacturing construction materials to 'providing logistics' Announcement for US forces, disagreed with the general view that the security situation was deteriorating. ... 'People think it's getting worse because they only pay attention to foreigners (who are being taken hostage Chief Operating Officer] and often executed). But it's definitely more secure now than it was' a year ago, he told AFP."*[http://www.prwatcharabbankers.org/node/2950 "Iraq: Advertising the Best Intentions,"] ''PR Watch'', September 30, 2004.*John McCaslin, [http://washingtontimes.comshared/functionscontent/printstory.phpjsp?StoryID_event=view&_id=20041006-125542-5370r "Inside Track: Risky Affairs,"445502_c_sU127360_s_i176770 Vice President Operations] ''Washington Times'', October 6, 2004: " For his end Arab Bankers Association of the bargainNorth America (ABANA) website, Uncle Sam will provide office spaceDecember 3, supplies and e-mail service, along with living space, health care and dining facilities for the firm's employees while in Iraq2004."*Bilmon, [[httpCategory://billmon.org/archives/001900.html "Blowback,"Public relations firms]] ''Whiskey Bar'', June 12, 2005.*Garance Franke-Ruta, [http[Category://www.prospect.org/weblog/archives/2005/11/index.html#008474 "The Lincoln Group's Partisan Staffers,"Fake News] ''TAPPED'', November 30, 2005. *[http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=914257&ct=1656447 "Lincoln Group Staffed by Conservative Political Operatives,"] ''The Progress Report'', December 1, 2005. re [[Jonathan BlessingCategory:Iraq-US relations]] and [[Brian SwiftCategory:Iraqi media]]
