FLASH - Quarterly Iraq Progress Report Shows Prodigious Achievements!

US Department of Defense ^ | May 2006 | US Department of Defense

[starbase]

Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq
May 2006
Report to Congress
In accordance with the Department of Defense Appropriations Act 2006
(Section 9010)

Gleaned from the quarterly progress report that is required by Congress, the below information from the May 2006 report (Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq, May 2006) paints a picture of widespread progress.

In Political, Economic, and Military spheres, advances are occuring all over Iraq, and have been for years.

Here's a summary of some information that is in the Department of Defense's May 2006 Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq report, each point is listed along with the page number on which the statistic can be found.

1.) Twelve provinces, containing more than 50% of the population, experienced only 6% of all attacks., pg. 3

2.) That is to say, that half the population never sees violence 94% of the time. Hardly sounds like a descent into chaos, does it?, pg. 3

3.) Far from being a madhouse of fighting, more than 80% of terrorist attacks were concentrated in just 4 of Iraq's 18 provinces., pg. 3

4.) On May 20, 2006 there was a successful Vote of Confidence for the new Prime Minister, his Cabinet, and his Program, pg. 2

5.) This Vote of Confidence was for the government created by the Dec 15, 2005 elections, in which 77% of the people voted., pg. 3

6.) The total number of Iraqi soldiers and police who have completed initial training and equipping is approximately 263,400, an increase of about 36,100 since the last report (Feb 06)., pg. 4

7.) As of May 2006 there were 268 Independent Newspapers and Magazines, 114 Commercial radio stations, and 54 Commercial television stations in Iraq. -graph, pg. 13

8.) There are only 800 qualified, independant judges in Iraq's legal system nationwide, with an estimated need for 1200. However 150 new judges will graduate from a two year training program in 2007, and 150 more judges will then begin the program, working steadily to provide Iraq with the qualified judges a robust legal system needs., pg. 13

9.) Hardly a month goes by without threats or acts of violence targeting judges, however security for judges has been enhanced (housing, security details, etc.) and now attacks on judges are down 47% from May 2005., pg. 14

10.) "The international donor community, apart from U.S. contributions, has pledged $13.5 billion in assistance, much of it in the form of low-interest loans; as of March 2006, more than $3.5 billion had been disbursed."-direct quote, pg. 17

11.) "The Iraqi government continues to make progress in reducing its external debt. Iraq’s high level of Saddam-era debt (approximately $125 billion) precluded it from borrowing abroad and levied an unmanageable burden on its economy. The agreement of Paris Club members (plus Korea) in November 2004 to reduce their claims on Iraq by 80%, combined with similar treatment from non-Paris Club creditors, will help bring Iraq’s debt to sustainable levels. Thus far, Iraq has qualified for a 60% reduction in Paris Club claims and will qualify for an additional 20% reduction after three years of successful performance under the Stand-By Arrangement and successor arrangements. As of May 2006, 17 of the 18 Paris Club creditors had signed such agreements."-direct quote, pg. 19

12.) "There is evidence Iraqi private sector activity continues to expand. U.S. Government agencies attempt 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." -direct quote, pg. 22

13.) There were a total of about 34,000 newly registered businesses in Iraq by March 2006, up from a total of about 25,000 in March 2005. -graph, pg. 22

14.) "More than $1 billion in electricity projects have been completed. An additional $1.1 billion worth of projects will increase transmission stability and add 500 MW of generating capacity."- direct quote, pg. 24

15.) "..as of April 28, 2006, there were 6.4 million cellular telephone subscribers and 1.0 million landline connections. This reflects a 30% increase in cellular subscribers since the last report and more than a 200% increase in telephone access since the end of 2004." -direct quote, pg. 26

16.) In March 2006 there were 4578 actionable tips received from the population by Iraqi security forces. That's 10 times more calls that people were willing to make to the government than the same time a year ago (Mar 2005 had only 483 actionable tips) -graph, pg. 45

17.) "Through U.S. Government-funded water projects, large- and small-scale water treatment facilities have been rehabilitated or constructed, expanding access to potable water for an estimated 3 million people at a standard level of service. More projects planned or under way will provide access to clean water to an additional 5.4 million people at a standard level of service and will also improve the water supply for rural residents." -direct quote, pg. 27

18.) "More Iraqis have access to sewage collection and treatment today than in 2003. More than 5.1 million people have access to sewage service." -direct quote, pg. 27

Finally there's this long blurb about what kind of training the new Iraqi soldiers are receiving, it is well balanced and extensive:

19.) "The basic training system, consolidated under the command of the Iraqi Training Brigade, continues to develop, and training has continued apace. All three Iraqi Training Battalions are now formed and fully operational. This has significantly increased the Iraqis’ ability to train capable soldiers in sufficient quantities for force generation and replacement needs. New recruits continue to attend a 5-week program of instruction at the Kirkush Military Training Base and An-Numiniyah. Upon graduation, they receive additional specialty training. Depending on their military occupational skill assignment, the training varies from three to seven weeks. This specialized training develops infantry, armor, administration, communications, transportation, maintenance, and military police skills, among others. Other training initiatives, such as the Military Intelligence School, the Signal School, the Bomb Disposal School, the Combat Arms Branch School, the Engineer School, and the Military Police School, contribute to the professionalization of the Iraqi Army through teaching diverse soldier specialties necessary to conduct and sustain counter-insurgency operations." -direct quote, pg. 54

The second half of the report is all about the military situation in Iraq (pages 46-62). Who the enemy is (rejectionists, former regime loyalists, al qaida), what patterns their attacks have been trending to, and which enemy performs which actions. If you have an interest in a very detailed (and, of course, unclassified) view of the military situation in Iraq, read the second half of the report starting on page 46.

The last three pages address conditions for withdrawal, and basically say those conditions must not be based on any set timetable, but instead be a reaction to realities on the ground, otherwise ultimate success will be compromised.

In summary, the Report on Progress concludes with this lengthy excerpt:

20.) "Arbitrary deadlines or timetables for withdrawal of Coalition forces—divorced from conditions in Iraq and the region—would be a serious strategic error, as they would suggest to the terrorists, Saddamists, and Rejectionists that they can simply wait to win. No war has ever been won on a timetable, and neither will this one. Lack of a timetable, however, does not mean that the Coalition’s posture in Iraq is static. On the contrary, the Coalition continually adjusts its posture and approaches as conditions evolve and Iraqi capabilities grow.

As Iraqis take on more responsibility for security, Coalition forces will increasingly move to supporting roles in many areas.

As security conditions improve and as the Iraqi Security Forces become more capable of securing their own country, Coalition forces will move out of the cities, provide transition teams, reduce the number of bases from which they operate, and conduct fewer visible missions, but remain postured to assist. Although the Coalition military presence may become less visible, it will remain lethal and decisive, able to confront the enemy wherever it may gather and organize...

Coalition troop levels will increase if necessary to defeat the enemy or to provide additional security for key events, like the recent referendum and elections. But the goal, over time, is to reduce Coalition forces as Iraqis continue to take on more of the security and civilian responsibilities themselves. " -direct quote, pgs. 64,65

[starbase]

As an example of what our media likes to present to us regarding Iraq, check out this representative sample of Old Media bias. In it, the author spews negatives and never offers any details at all, also, she takes pot shots at elected officials and stumps for her preferred candidates! All in a piece ostensibly about the situation in Iraq! A perfect example of the "reporting" we're getting about Iraq. (Everyone rips the piece apart in the comments section)

[Blueflag]

bflr

[Grendel9]

We all know the Drive-By Media are
focusing on the lack of 24 hour/day
electricity in downtown Baghdad.
Anything other than violence
happening anywhere else
is unworthy of their notice.

[Allegra]

Aw, this is really going to hack off the media. ;-)

[starbase]

Aw, this is really going to hack off the media. ;-)

Let's hope so!

[GodBlessUSA]

Excellent Post Starbase! Thank You! I am now printing this out for some misinformed friends ;)

[AliVeritas]

ping

[sono]

Even war opponents such as Gen. Barry McCaffery have reported tremendous progress. Is the MSM truly reporting on the WOT or are they waging their own war - the War on Bush? Some have never gotten over the Election of 2000.

[Flora McDonald]

Most excellent thank you bump!

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.

[armymarinemom]

They have been ignoring it for months. Murtha publicly stated at a town meeting months ago that these reports were not made public. The quarterly reports have been going up and ignored since Oct of 05.

[DrDeb]

EXCELLENT!


btt

[new cruelty]

They will just ignore it.

[Bahbah]

A great pick me up for the spirits for the pre-Independance Day weekend. Many thanks.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

Good news anti-quagmire bttt

[iluvgeorgie]

I think the media is too dumb to frustrate them. If they hear anything positive they'll just twist it into a Bush coverup of something negative. Swines!

[kitkat]

BUMP

[n-tres-ted]

Thanks for posting. I picked up your link on the Day in the Life of the President thread. I'm convinced the war has been won, and the corner is being turned in winning the occupation. The Iraqi government is taking root and may already be strong enough to assure that it will not let go of power to another dictator. But that may still depend on whether Iran's efforts are stopped by effective action. Those roots ought to be strong enough by the time President Bush's term is complete.

[Soaring Feather]

Bumping! Thanks for the work.

[Soaring Feather]

Pinger!!

Troops good news!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Very nice summation of the good news, starbase. If only the MSM knew how to read, and write with any comprehension of what they read.

[MEG33]

Excellent..going to post the link on the Military Monday thread for the Finest..

[Kathy in Alaska]

Spread the good news! The MSM sure is not letting us know.

[MEG33]

This is why I love Free Republic! I can get the real news!

[Allegra]

It's a brand new democracy starting to take hold.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy lunchtime, Allegra. Thanks for your part in helping it take hold. Things settling down?

[Allegra]

Oh, things have been a little wild and wooly lately, but they always ramp up around the Fourth and they're also still smarting from the Zarqawi humiliation.

But the government and the people just keep progressing ahead in spite of the terrorists' nastiness. The terrorists know they're defeated.

They just haven't come up with a graceful way to extract themselves from this without losing face.

Until they do, they'll just keep on getting killed by U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Happy Fourth of July to you!

[Kathy in Alaska]

More good news......thanks for the first hand reporting. Slowly and steadily, forward progress.

[Southack]

"They just haven't come up with a graceful way to extract themselves from this without losing face."

They've lost Liberia, Libya, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq...yet they pathetically fight on in Iraq while the real jihad rages in Sudan, Somalia, and Chechnya...as well as smolders inside Israel...land of the Jews in the Middle-East.

Al Qaeda's in Iraq while Palestinians fight the Jews.

From an Islamic perspective, Al Qaeda would be hard-pressed to lose *more* face. Think about it; Al Qaeda is blowing up the Golden Mosque, blowing up hotels in Jordan, blowing up markets filled with Shi'ia in Iraq, and in general killing Muslims. Al Qaeda kills fewer than two Americans per day worldwide, and almost no Jews...yet kills hundreds of Muslims each week.

Iraq has become a honeypot...a roach motel. Terrorists flock there to outdo each other for Darwin Awards. They check in but they only check out in body bags...as the real jihad rages elsewhere.

It's a thing of great beauty.

[Allegra]

You're right.

Al Qaeda probably would have pulled out of Iraq a while back, but the other places you mention are likely too much of a challenge for them right now.

And with the western media acting as cheerleaders for al Qaeda in Iraq, they figure they'll take the glory where they can get it. The media's giving these terrorists all the free PR they want.

[MEG33]

Hug a soldier and say "Thank You" for me..Have a Safe and Happy Fourth, Allegra.

[Allegra]

Hug a soldier and say "Thank You" for me..Have a Safe and Happy Fourth, Allegra.

I do that every chance I get. And the civilians have all kinds of nice July 4th activities planned for our troops.

Everything except fireworks. We're going to leave those out. ;-)

[MEG33]

;) Good to hear!

[starbase]

And with the western media acting as cheerleaders for al Qaeda in Iraq, they figure they'll take the glory where they can get it. The media's giving these terrorists all the free PR they want.

Interesting point. We all know the domestic effect of "our" media withholding important information from us, but I had not thought that the same action might be attracting terrorists to stay in Iraq longer than they would normally do! Media and propaganda is so powerful in so many different ways. Just recall the "flushed Koran" nonsense that cost 17 people their lives!

One can only dream what all these actions of today would have been like with a supportive media.

[The Mayor]

Excellent, excellent report...

Thank you for posting it..

[starbase]

It's my pleasure. Fourth of July ping for all the Military men and women who make our great country and its successes possible!

[fatima]

Thanks for the ping starbase.Here's a bump.

[starbase]

Thanks for stopping by. What's on the grill for the 4th?

[fatima]

Sweet and Hot Sausage-Hot Dogs for the kids-Hot wings and lots of salads and a watermelon fruit bowl and lots of cold beer.It is hot here.I think it was 92.What is the temperature there?

[starbase]

Here it's about 80. Feels nice, though last week was in the 90's (big temperature swings since Taiwan is a 40 minute flight out to sea). Otherwise they have a big festival in August (or September?) called the Lantern Festival. Everyone sets up little Hibachi grills in front of their house and cooks up all these different treats. I'm celebrating the "grilling" part of July 4th in August, and the "flag waving" part today! :-0

Your feast sounds great!

[fatima]

:) Our third in a week.Big family.What do they cook on the grill.Afraid to ask God bless them.

[starbase]

They grill lots of things. One thing they make is this tube of dough that looks like a corn dog. I asked the lady if there was meat inside and she looked at me like I was crazy. It's really made out of pounded rice flour, then they grill it, there's nothing inside. Would you like to try it?

[starbase]

Oh, and on the grill, don't forget the pig-blood soaked packed rice squares that they fry up! Yum Yum. Though my Taiwanese friends tell me these days they have a lot less real pig-blood in them, it's mostly coloring now. Doesn't it stink when you can't get decent pig-blood rice squares anymore! ;-) Happy Fourth

[fatima]

:)Yuck bump.

[MinorityRepublican]

Bttt

[starbase]

Thanks for the BTTT!

[starbase]

Any idea on what day the August 2006 Report will be out? I'll write up one more thread for that, then I think things will be pretty irreversibly along in terms of progress in Iraq.

[starbase]

Excellent..going to post the link on the Military Monday thread for the Finest..

Thanks for helping to spread this news around. Now this thread is just short of 1000 views, which was my original goal. (Actually my original goal was higher, but I reconsidered that it is a dry government report, so for that, 1000 views is wildly well received!)

I'm planning on writing up the next DoD report due out in August. I'm thinking of ways to try and make it more appealing to read (like a better title, more formating with small quotes that get to the point faster). If anything comes to mind as to ways to make it more appealing, please let me know!

[Flora McDonald]

I was very impressed with this one so you just go ahead and format it anyway you like. It was great.
And don't forget to ping me when the August report is up.

(Maybe they should add the pig blood rice cakes to the menu at G'itmo for a bit of multicultural inculcation.)