<a href="http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2005/tr20050627-secdef3161.html" target="_blank">SUMMARY OF GEN. CASEY'S NEWS BRIEFING OPENING STATEMENT</a>

In the past year, the Iraqis, supported by the coalition, have:
- established an interim government
- neutralized a Shi'a insurgency
- eliminated terrorist and insurgent safe havens across Iraq
- mobilized their security forces to confront the insurgency
- increased the pace of economic development
- conducted the first truly democratic elections in Iraq in decades
- seated a democratically elected National Assembly
- peacefully passed control to the transitional government

The insurgents and terrorists in Iraq have NOT:
- expanded their support base across Iraq
- attracted a broad following
- prevented the growth of Iraqi security forces
- kept their safe haven in Fallujah or reconstituted another one
- sparked sectarian violence
- stopped political and economic development in Iraq

Iraq slowly gets better every day. Recent polls confirm that Iraqis are confident in their government and their security forces. They are optimistic about the future, and they intend to vote in large numbers on the upcoming constitutional referendum in December's elections.

However, there are long-term developmental challenges and much to be done. Iraq's steady progress will be contested.

The Iraqi people make progress every day. They are serious about their future. They are serious about building a government that respects the human rights of all Iraqis. And they are serious about defeating the terrorists and insurgents who are doing their utmost to derail their dreams.

The mission in Iraq will require patience and will, but both the region and the United States will be more secure when Iraq succeeds.

Source: DoD (Transcript)

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

The Army Web team has launched a new historical site about the three day Battle of Gettysburg. The site features an animated battlescape, historical video footage, and profiles of people who served. Visit the new site at www.army.mil/gettysburg.

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