The Real News Network (www.RNNnews.info) has selected Jay Bookman's article "The President's Real Goal In Iraq" as the 1st Annual REAL NEWS STORY OF THE YEAR - 2002. Mr. Bookman is the Deputy Editorial Page Editor for the daily newspaper the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Bookman's powerful article revealed, in a mainstream medium no less, that there was and is much more behind the Bush Administration's publicly stated 'anti-terrorism' reasons for intervening in Iraq.

The Real News Network (RNN) is an independent media organization devoted to informing the people of the world of vital issues that have bearing on their society, environment, economy, and future. RNN conducts original investigative journalism and news media analysis, while amplifying real news stories as they appear in any and all media.

Bookman, a Penn State Journalism/History graduate with over 20 years of journalism experience, methodically investigated military and White House reports and documented that much of what is now being sold to the world as an international 'War on Terrorism' is simply are re-hash of old ambitions of military hardliners not only stated prior to September 11, 2001 but as far back as a 1992 Pentagon document from the first Bush Administration. Bookman argues that 9/11 is now being used to justify even the most wild military aspirations which Bookman fears could have dire consequences for people throughout the world and in the United States.

"This is not really about Iraq. It is not about weapons of mass destruction, or terrorism, or Saddam, or U.N. resolutions," writes Bookman in his in his September 29, 2002 article. "It would be the culmination of a plan 10 years or more in the making, carried out by those who believe the United States must seize the opportunity for global domination," starting with a plan to "create permanent military bases in that country [Iraq] from which to dominate the Middle East, including neighbouring Iran."

According to Bookman, and the military documents he cites, if the powerful architects of these plans "who now hold key positions in the Bush administration" get their way, the Middle East is just the beginning of their "pre-emptive attack against perceived enemies. In essence, it lays out a plan for permanent U.S. military and economic domination of every region on the globe, unfettered by international treaty or concern." In September of 2002 the Bush Administration released their National Security Strategy document/doctrine addressing plans ranging from massive military spending increases to allowing the use of “small” nuclear warheads to a space missile defense system to the need to establish new and extensive military presence’s in Southeast Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Bookman maintains that the current "references to terrorism are misleading," as the same action plans "can be found in much the same language in a September 2000 document by the Project for a New American Century [Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategies, Forces, and Resources for a New Century], a group of conservative interventionists," who acknowledge in their report the true brainchild of today's 'War on Terrorism.' "In broad terms, we saw the project as building upon the defense strategy outlined by the Cheney Defense Department in the waning days of the Bush [Sr.] Administration. The Defense Policy Guidance (DPG) drafted in the early months of 1992 provided a blueprint for maintaining U.S. preeminence," state the authors of the September 2000 document.

Bookman's article and his newspaper the Atlanta Journal-Constitution deserve special recognition for diligently and courageously reporting a story of such vital public interest to the world. It is especially inspiring since The Real News Story of the Year - 2002 appeared in a mainstream medium. One hopes that other mainstream media outlets and journalists will be similarly inspired.

A special Real News Student Journalism Award will be established to honour Jay Bookman. In February of 2004 the 2nd Annual Real News Story of the Year - 2003 will be awarded along with the 1st Annual Real News Student Journalism Award.

To read Jay Bookman's article in its entirety visit www.RNNnews.info , where links to the aforementioned documents can also be found.

For More Information on the Real News Story of the Year, the Real News Student Journalism Award, or the Real News Network contact:
Dr. Paul D. Boin
Media and Communications Scholar / Investigative Journalist
University of Windsor / Real News Network
 pboin@RNNnews.info (519) 253-3000 ext. 2893