Posted on 09/08/2006 1:56:21 AM PDT by starbase
Since the previous report for May 2006, positive trends have continued. Some concern is expressed due to sectarian violence, however it is stressed that the violence neither constitutes civil war, nor is civil war inevitable.
It looks like they've spent some time making the reports more reader friendly, so if you want to check out the pdf on the link, you might find it's more readable than past reports have been.
Major Governmental Achievements For August 2006
1.) Jul 13, 2006-- Transfer of Muthanna(Province) to Provincial Iraqi Control
2.) Jul 26, 2006-- Prime Minister al-Maliki Addresses Joint Session of U.S. Congress
3.) Jun 8, 2006-- Nomination and Approval of Minister of Defense, Minister of Interior, and Minister of State for National Security Affairs, page 2
4.) Average peak electrical generating output increased 15.8% this quarter to 4,573 megawatts (MW) and continued to increase over the quarter. Iraq averaged 14 hours of power per day this quarter, an improvement of 3 hours per day over the previous quarter., page 3
5.)Crude oil production for the second quarter improved 18% to 2.2 million barrels per day (mbpd)(short of goal of 2.5 mbpd), and exports improved by 20%, to 1.6 mbpd (short of goal of 2.0 mbpd). Also during this quarter, Iraq resumed exports from northern fields for the first time since the autumn of 2005., page 3
6.)Approximately 90% of the Government of Iraq’s revenue comes from oil exports, and higher prices for Iraqi oil continue to somewhat offset lower than desired export volumes., page 3
7.) In some negative news, Shia and Sunni extremists, and rogue members of a group called JAM (Jaysh al Mahdi), are "increasingly interlocked in retaliatory violence and are contesting control of ethnically mixed areas to expand their existing areas of influence.", page 3
8.) However, "Nevertheless, the current violence is not a civil war, and movement toward civil war can be prevented. Breaking the cycle of violence is the most pressing goal of Coalition and Iraqi operations.", page 3
9.) "In the current reporting period the average number of weekly attacks increased 15% over the previous reporting period average, and Iraqi casualties increased by 51% compared to the previous quarter.", direct quote page 3
10.) "Although sectarian violence threatens the effectiveness of the Government of Iraq(sic), terrorists have failed to derail Iraq’s political process, or to widen their political support among the Iraqi people. Polling data continue to show the confidence of most segments of the Iraqi people in the Iraqi Army and their rejection of al-Qaeda’s vision of Iraq’s future.", pages 3,4
11.)"Approximately 277,600 Iraqi soldiers and police have completed initial training and equipping, an increase of more than 14,000 in the three months since the last report.", page 4
12.) 84% of targeted number of Ministry of Defense troops have been trained and equipped.
92% of authorized Iraqi Army battalions have been generated., page 4
13.) "The number of counter-insurgency operations conducted independently by Iraqi forces as a percentage of total combat operations continues to increase steadily." (more detail on page 4)
What's the Long Term Goal?
14.)"To achieve unity, security, and prosperity, Iraq must develop the capacity to deliver government services to its citizens at the national, provincial, and municipal levels. The Government of Iraq must transform the country from a centralized state, with delivery of essential services traditionally controlled by powerful bureaucrats, to a responsive federal government with decentralized control. This change will take time, consistent mentorship, and an emphasis on both promoting transparency and reducing corruption. The Coalition is supporting these efforts at all levels of the Government of Iraq.", pages 8,9
A dropped ball! 15.) "Although there have been some positive developments, delay in the formation of the Government of Iraq resulted in a loss of momentum; rule of law initiatives slowed, which contributed to the growth of crime, corruption, and illegal armed groups.", page 10
Infrastructure Goodies
16.) Cell phone subscriptions up to 7.1 million, page 23
17.) "New projects have “added capacity to provide an estimated 4.2 million people with access to potable water—an increase of 1.2 million people since the May 2006 report—but direct measurement of water actually delivered to Iraqis is not available.”1 Additional projects currently underway should increase infrastructure to provide access to clean water to as many as 5 million more people.", page 24
18.)"There is evidence that Iraqi private sector activity continues to expand. The IMF estimates that non-oil GDP growth in 2006 will be 10%. Various U.S. Government agencies are attempting to spur private sector activity with microfinance loans, bank lending to small- and medium-sized enterprises, capital market development, business skills development, vocational training, investment promotion, business center support, and creation of economic zones.", page 18
Those are some highlights, the rest of the report talks about the security situation and characteristics of the enemy.
God bless our amazing troops and their amazing families, the coalliton troops, and the brave Iraqis who are sacrificing life and limb to build a new future in freedom.
Better ... not that I'm obsessive about correcting trivial spelling errors or anything like that.
bttt
Thanks for the info starbase.
Your posting this is much
appreciated. Hope the September
report is just as positive!
Ahhh..clearly a Rove created mirage of what's REALLY happening over there. There is only death, angst, misery, and depair in Iraq..and it's all because of Bush and Rummy!! (\sarcasm off)
Starbase, thank you.
I dissected this last week, when the media first (mis)reported this report as "GLOOMY" and lied about how it contradicted Bush's view (it didnt).
Good summary.
my blog has more related Iraq information:
http://freedomstruth.blogspot.com/
Good catch! Thanks for the ping.
Thanks starbase! I'll send you a link when I get it up on the blog.
Great work!
I'll wait until it is confirmed my the MSM. (crickets)
(I gotta bump this to the top of my posts)
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