Iraq podcast

with Major Steinar Sveinsson, Public Information Officer for the NATO training mission in Iraq

The work of the Public Information Officer of NTM-I, the NATO Training Mission – Iraq is very diverse and interesting, I can say. We are two at the office, I and the assistant PIO, Portuguese SMSgt. Jose Marinho and every day is filled with new challenges and interesting tasks. I am a part of the ca. 12 man Command Group of the Mission and need to have an overview of all its tasks and projects and be very well informed about what’s going on at all times.

I think I can say that the job can be divided into three different areas, and then again that within these areas my approach is either passive or pro-active, depending on circumstances.

Firstly it’s the intra-organisational level at a wider scale. That is how I am involved in and facilitating the flow of information between NTM-I and higher NATO Headquarters and between NTM-I and other organisations in Iraq, such as the Multi-National Security Command – Iraq which is responsible for the training of the Iraqi Security Forces. The PIO is of course often the Point of Contact that first comes to mind for many when they need information about the Mission. Sometimes, I only have to delegate requests for information, sometimes I have to prepare it more thoroughly myself. When appropriate, when certain events or milestones have occurred I take a proactive stand and distribute information to these intra-theatre organisations.

Secondly, and in some way also connected with the first point, is the work I do with the Iraqis on the local level. If any media events are taking place many organisations and people have to be kept in the loop and lot of coordination takes place. I have coordination meetings with the PIO department of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense at least once a week, to these meetings also come PIO’s from the Iraqi Joint Headquarters, MNSTC-I and others organisations. A real emphasis is laid upon keeping everybody informed about events that are taking place. Often, NTM-I is involved in these events either directly or indirectly. Sometimes the Iraqis are running the show and I am only in a supporting role, and the NTM-I name only in the background, and sometimes the NTM-I name is the main focus and I then again enjoy support from my Iraqi counterparts. Apart from these weekly meetings, we meet more often if need be.

Another part of working with the Iraqis, and something I enjoy very much, is holding courses for them regarding Public Information and Public Relations. During my year here I have held courses at the Joint Staff College at Ar Rustamiyah, as well as for the Iraqi National Security Council. I rely on NATO doctrines and NATO courses and this has every time been a real highlight of my job. Getting the opportunity to go over theoretical issues, participate in conversation with the Iraqis’ on such a level, and answer all the interesting questions that come up is always a lot of fun. Of course when one participates in courses like these and discussion one has the opportunity to discover where the so-called “cultural differences” lie and for my part I can say that it has never provided a problem, but often a very interesting subject for discussion. I also always emphasised that I am teaching through “Western” glasses and encourage the Iraqis to challenge what I say and adapt it to their reality, if possible. I think it’s clear that during courses like these I learn a lot as well, and surely everybody gains from the discussion which takes place.

Thirdly, there is the work I do regarding the outside level, promoting the Mission itself to the public. That is also either passive or active. The NTM-I is a small Mission and its profile is not high. However, it is an important Mission and some 18 NATO nations are represented here. In the countries that send their soldiers here there is always considerable interest in what kind of work is carried out. Distinguished visitors from various countries regularly come and visit the Mission, sometimes bringing media with them. Then I need to help prepare the visit, escort the media and help them in any way possible, within the provided guidelines. Members of many of the nations here send information to their respective Ministries of Defense for publication and often ask me for assistance regarding this. There are regularly media requests about either simple issues or more significant issues, including a visit. These are issues that I have to respond to. Regularly, there are milestone events within the Mission such as a graduation from a NATO organised course, the NATO supported Military Academy or the Joint Staff College, donations of equipment to the Iraqi Army that the Mission coordinates etc. Then I normally prepare a press release that I at the very least have posted on our homepage. If I feel that the event is of interest to inter-theatre audiences, I send the release to them and if I feel that the event is of interest for a wider audience I send the release to all media, Western and Iraqi. It depends on the event how much notice it gets in the media. We have of course had stories that fly across the world, but the golden rule is to get the message out as soon as possible, in a timely manner, so it will be taken seriously.

The job can be very busy at times. Many events that take place and visitors that come are perhaps not anything that is of wider public interest, but important for the Mission and we want to document it and take pictures and write notes. The PIO provides supports for this, takes pictures, makes videos etc. Also, we can say there is a “moral” side to the job, to help people and assist in various ways. All kinds of issues land on my table that wouldn’t strictly qualify as PIO issues but I think I can say also that the fact that I have been here one year now, while the normal tour is 6 months, means that I have certain kind of “institutional memory” which often is good to consult with. I can say for my part that I have enjoyed this year very much and my work here. NTM-I is a Multi-National organisation and we work closely with the Iraqis and it has been a great experience.