'New strides' in Iraq, Pentagon says
Published: March 12, 2008 at 7:21 AM
WASHINGTON, March 12 (UPI) -- A U.S. Department of Defense report says Iraq has made "new strides" in reconstruction but warns the security situation is "complex."
The report notes the passage of an Iraqi national budget, a law easing restrictions on the participation of former Baath Party members in the political process and provincial election laws as among some of the moves that "represent a significant initial step toward political reconciliation," CNN reported Wednesday.
"New strides have been taken in reconciliation at the national, provincial and local levels, and the Iraqi economy is growing," the report said. "However, recent security gains remain fragile, and sustained progress over the long term will depend on Iraq's ability to address a complex set of issues associated with key political and economic objectives."
On the security front, the Pentagon report noted the work of Sunni tribes with rooting out al-Qaida elements and the cease-fire from Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr with contributing to a 70 percent drop in civilian and military casualties since July 2007.
The Pentagon said the Iraqi economy improved from the rise in the price of oil, noting the Iraqi government added $6.4 billion more to its coffers than U.S. analysts predicted.
About 140,000 U.S. troops will remain stationed in Iraq past July and the Pentagon said any redeployment would remain contingent on maintaining recent security gains.
The report notes the passage of an Iraqi national budget, a law easing restrictions on the participation of former Baath Party members in the political process and provincial election laws as among some of the moves that "represent a significant initial step toward political reconciliation," CNN reported Wednesday.
"New strides have been taken in reconciliation at the national, provincial and local levels, and the Iraqi economy is growing," the report said. "However, recent security gains remain fragile, and sustained progress over the long term will depend on Iraq's ability to address a complex set of issues associated with key political and economic objectives."
On the security front, the Pentagon report noted the work of Sunni tribes with rooting out al-Qaida elements and the cease-fire from Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr with contributing to a 70 percent drop in civilian and military casualties since July 2007.
The Pentagon said the Iraqi economy improved from the rise in the price of oil, noting the Iraqi government added $6.4 billion more to its coffers than U.S. analysts predicted.
About 140,000 U.S. troops will remain stationed in Iraq past July and the Pentagon said any redeployment would remain contingent on maintaining recent security gains.
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This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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