BOTH THE BBC AND ITN HAVE DESCRIBED THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES TODAY AS "INDEPENDENT" WHEN REPORTING ITS CONCLUSIONS ON IRAQ THAT SUPPORT
BUSH AND BLAIR'S CAMPAIGN FOR WAR.

BUT THIS IS WHAT THE INSTITUTE SAYS ON ITS OWN WEBSITE:

"The Institute raises money as follows: research is supported by a wide range of international bodies and foundations which fund programmes and fields of study (35%). Membership income is received from both Individual Members and Corporates (25%) ... The Institute accepts no general support funding from Governments, but does receive funding for the organisation of meetings and for research from Government departments." ...

"The Institute has 3,000 members drawn from the government, business and academic C)lites of over 100 countries. Its current roster of around 200 Corporate and Institutional Members includes some 55 research centres and institutes, 25 media organisations, 35 government ministries and agencies and 40 commercial organisations along with numerous military staff colleges and university departments. The wide range of business interests represented include finance and investment, international banking, insurance, computing, shipping, infrastructure development, automobile production, management consulting, gas and oil, power generation and transmission, aerospace and defence, major media outlets and telecommunications."

AND THE AUTHOR OF THE INSTITUTE'S REPORT ON IRAQ IS JOHN CHIPMAN, A BILDERBERG GROUP ATTENDEE. DOES ALL THIS SOUND LIKE AN "INDEPENDENT" ORGANISATION TO YOU?

ITS WEBSITE GOES ON:

"Because of its network, international reach, and high-level contacts with governments throughout the world, the IISS, more than any other institute of its kind, has tremendous 'convening power', and regularly brings together ministers and government officials from different countries in order to discuss problems that divide or unite them. Indeed, the Institute's increasing 'paradiplomatic' activity has made it an actor in discreet international relations." ...

"Journalists and commentators who work to improve the public's understanding of international relations rely heavily upon our publications programme. Our network of members is a vibrant international constituency of individuals and corporations expert in strategic issues.Over time, the Institute's name has been associated with the generous epithets: 'authoritative', 'canny', 'influential' and 'effective'."

I associate it with another: bollocks.

David

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