In April, 2003, The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) was established to fulfill the role of a transitional government in Iraq. The CPA’s mission was to help Iraqis build four foundational pillars for their sovereignty: Security, Essential Services, Economy, and Governance. During the fourteen months of its existence, the CPA needed to ensure that it communicated news of its progress toward Iraq becoming a fully sovereign nation.
Gordon C. James Public Relations was hired to oversee the establishment and operation of a media center within the walls of the palace that served as CPA headquarters. During a five month period in early 2003, GCJPR staff members spent over 5 months in Baghdad operating the Presidential Palace Studio, which was used for outreach to Western and Pan-Arab television media from February to July 2004.
In addition to heading up the Presidential Palace Studio, GCJPR staff toured Iraq extensively with Ambassador Bremer, organizing the Ambassador’s interactions with the Iraqi people. During this time, GCJPR worked closely with the US Military and the Iraqi Interim Government as part of the CPA’s strategic communications operations.
Major GCJPR projects while in Iraq included advance planning for the signing of the Tal, Iraq’s Declaration of Independence, and the “100 Days to Sovereignty” countdown to the transfer of power from the United States to the official Iraqi interim government.
On June 28, the CPA achieved its primary goal of transitioning sovereignty to the nation of Iraq. On that historic date, GCJPR helped organize a secret ceremony where Ambassador Bremer handed over sovereignty. Immediately following the hand-over ceremony, GCJPR personnel escorted Ambassador Bremer to the Baghdad International Airport for his departure from the country. Once this momentous occasion occurred, GCJPR personnel handled the official swearing-in ceremony for the new Iraqi government.
At the end of our assignment, GCJPR had successfully shared news of the CPA’s progress with the world through the international media center. GCJPR staff also were also a part of history, having helped transition sovereignty from the transitional government to the country and the people of Iraq.