US to Release Intelligence Report on Iraq Political Progress
23 August 2007
The Bush administration is expected to release parts of an intelligence report later Thursday that questions whether Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki can overcome sectarian differences in his country.
One congressional official told The New York Times that the report concludes there has been little political progress in Iraq so far, and little hope for political progress in the future. But it also cautions against an early withdrawal from Iraq, and it says American troops have had some success in conquering sectarian violence.
President Bush on Wednesday expressed support for Mr. Maliki and said it is up to the people of Iraq, not politicians in Washington, to decide if the prime minister will remain in power. A day earlier, Mr. Bush had acknowledged "frustration" with the Maliki government and the slow pace of political progress in Iraq.
Mr. Maliki responded Wednesday that the U.S. should not impose timetables on Iraq. He said his country can find other allies besides the United States.
The remarks come ahead of a September deadline for a U.S. report on progress in Iraq. Congress has demanded that Iraq meet certain benchmarks in exchange for continued funding of the war.
Some information for this report was provided by AP .
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