Iraqi National Congress Support Foundation

The Iraqi National Congress Support Foundation (INCSF} was, a 2004 Government Accountability Office report, stated "was established to provide an organizational structure for Department of State funding" of the Iraqi National Congress activities designed to help topple the Iraqi government. It was, the GAO reported, "incorporated as a nonprofit organization in August 1999 in the state of Delaware."

Between March 2000 and September 2003, the Department of State provided funds including for "planning for the renewal of Radio Hurriah broadcasts" along with other media propaganda operations including television broadcasting. "The funds were provided for several purposes, including establishing new satellite television capability (Liberty TV), newspaper publication, and information collection programs. About $10 million was earmarked for Liberty TV broadcasting activities, which included hiring staff, establishing studio operations, and actual broadcasting," the GAO report stated.

The funding program followed the passage of the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 which was based on the premise that "regime change in Iraq should be the policy of the United States."

"INCSF envisioned radio as a key medium for the dissemination of information to the Iraqi people. It planned to reestablish Radio Hurriah and have a signal receivable in Iraq by early 2001. To expand the area of coverage, INCSF also planned to purchase a high-power transmitter in Iraq. Radio broadcasting was to focus on news, current affairs, and programs dedicated to democracy and human rights," the GAO reported.

However, the plans encountered major hurdles. While the State Department provided $17 million to the INSCF between March 2000 and May 2002,"only limited funding was for Radio Hurriah, largely because an acceptable location for a transmitter could not be found."