Can't Even Be Bothered to Lie Anymore. posted by Richard Seymour

The US military will continue to pay Iraqi media to publish reports favourable to American forces following an investigation into the controversial practice, the top US general in Iraq said today.

Army Gen. George Casey, commander of US forces there, told reporters in a teleconference from Iraq that the investigation by a Navy admiral ordered by Casey "found that we were operating within our authorities and responsibilities".

Some members of the US Congress raised questions about the payments when it was revealed in December that Iraqi journalists and newspapers were being paid to use articles produced by the military.

Casey said he had not issued an order to halt the payments.

"And, right now, based on the results of the investigation, I do not intend to in the near term," he said.