Crocker 'encouraged' by 2008 view for Iraq

BAGHDAD, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker said in an editorial that he was encouraged by the potential for continued positive developments in Iraq for 2008.

In an editorial in the Dubai-based Gulf News Wednesday, Crocker credited the combined surge of Iraqi and coalition forces as well as the Anbar Awakening, a Sunni-led grassroots security movement, with moving the country forward.

Legislative developments, Crocker said, such as a Dec. 27 pension law and an ambitious 2008 budget before the Iraqi Council of Representatives were an indication the central government was increasing its capabilities.

Crocker credited the role of provincial governments, "a completely new phenomenon in post-2003 Iraq," as a key development in community capacity.

The U.N. Mission in Iraq enhanced its mandate and expects to increase its presence in the country for 2008 and the U.N. Chapter 7 resolution in Iraq, mandating military intervention, expires in 2008 as well.

Crocker credited Iraq's neighbors and called for further Arab support to help Iraq regain a foothold in the region, as spill-over from internal conflict threatens the entire region.

"That said, 2008 is going to have its challenges, without question. It's all out there to be dealt with, but moving into 2008, I'm feeling a lot more encouraged than when I arrived in Iraq last March," Crocker said.