Window closing for Iraqi government

BAGHDAD, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. military commanders in Iraq said the lack of political progress by Iraqi leaders isn't complimenting the stated goals of the troop surge.

U.S. military officials said the Iraqi government isn't seizing the window of opportunity to reach power-sharing agreements provided by the recent decline in violence, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

One commander told the newspaper that "it's unclear how long that window is going to be open," as troop levels are slated to decline in the coming months.

The lack of political progress by the Shiite-led Iraqi government prompted some U.S. military commanders to voice their sympathy for former Sunni rebels who are seeking employment with the Iraqi police.

"They have got to eat," U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Fetter said, referring to Sunni rebels. "There are so many we've detained and interrogated, they did what they did for money."

The U.S. military targeted some of its criticism against the U.S. State Department for its lack of progress expediting reconciliation among Iraqi government officials.

Some U.S. officials in Iraq said the overall stagnation in Iraq could be alleviated by having provincial elections linking the Iraqi central government more closely with communities there, the Post said.