PR squads to counter Taliban 'lies'

Propoganda "hit squads" are being set up in London, Washington and Islamabad to counter the Taliban's anti-coalition statements and put the case for the fight against terrorism.

Teams of 30 media, military, diplomatic and intelligence experts will work round the clock in the latest bid, organised jointly by the British and American governments, to win the public relations war against the Taliban. The aim is to counter immediately false reports of high civilian casualties, American soldiers being captured and Allied aircraft being shot down.

President Bush's adviser, Karen Hughes, said: "Because of the time differences, sometimes those claims are reported for hours while we're asleep in Washington. Much of the world has heard those claims before we respond.

"This also allows us to proactively do a better job of getting our message out to the world about what the war on terrorism is all about."

Based in the Foreign Office, the White House, and another base in Islamabad, the teams will also devise long-term strategies to reinforce the Allied pro-military message, and put out news about mililtary operations. It is hoped this will ensure the Allies speak with one voice about developments, thus avoiding embarrassing gaffes when two officials put out contradictory statements.

Another aim is to make sure key moments in the campaign, such as Tony Blair's "remember 11 September" speech, do not clash with other important events, thus ensuring the best possible media coverage.