[PMCarey]

I think we and the Iraqis share many of the same goals. In general:

• We want a peaceful and stable Iraq. They want a peaceful and stable Iraq.
• We want them to take charge of their own affairs. They want to take charge of their own affairs.
• We want to leave as soon as we can. They want us to leave as soon as we can.
• We're willing to shed blood for a free Iraq. They're ...

... ah, there's the million dollar question. Are there enough Iraqis strong enough and willing to fight against those who would take the country back down the road to despotism and terror? This is the big unknown and we're going to find out a lot about Iraqis after June 30th.

[WOSG]

Iraqis ALREADY HAVE SHED BLOOD FOR THE NEW IRAQ.

One Iraqi martyr is the Governing Council President.

There have been over a thousand Iraqi victims and martyrs in the past year, killed by assassination or terrorism.

I dont think there is an unknown here. The claims of 'cowardice' were a misplaced appelation to some green ICDC members trained only for border duty who were sent to fallujah and turned tail. That's a yardstick of training, not of Iraqi courage.