by Stephanie Griffith1 hour, 19 minutes ago
The United States has reason to feel "strategically optimistic" about the future of Iraq, Washington's envoy to Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, said, despite rampant sectarian bloodshed.
"Americans should be strategically optimistic about Iraq, even as the continuing difficulties in Iraq will require tactical patience," said Khalilzad, appearing before the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee.
The envoy hailed various "positive developments which give the Iraqi government and friends of Iraq real hope," particularly in the political arena.
"Political progress that has been made in Iraq has created opportunities and put Iraq on the right trajectory," he said.
Khalilzad cited a "tectonic shift" among Iraq's Sunni community, which, after months of boycotting the postwar political process, is now actively involved.
He also noted Iraq's successful elections and the formation of the country's national unity government earlier this year.
Khalilzad conceded, however, that neither Washington nor the Baghdad government had found the answer to "curbing sectarian violence and defeating terrorism."
Among the challenges that persist, he said, are "extremely difficult" security conditions -- especially in Baghdad, which "has become the focal point of terrorist and sectarian violence."
The diplomat also charged that "a few countries, most notably Syria and Iran, appear intent on fomenting instability in Iraq.
"Syria and Iran continue to engage in actions to destabilize Iraq, providing sanctuary, training, arms and financing to the extremists fighting the new government," said Khalilzad.
His remarks to lawmakers came as the White House announced Thursday that Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will meet with US President George W. Bush in Washington on July 25.
"Under Prime Minister Maliki's leadership, Iraq is moving forward with key initiatives, including security, national reconciliation and economic revitalization," the White House said in a statement.
The statement said the president looks forward to discussing "our ongoing partnership against terrorism and our mutual commitment to the principles of democracy," among other agenda items.
Bush paid a surprise visit to Maliki in Baghdad just last month.
Critics on the Senate panel, including Senator Joe Biden, the panel's top Democrat, insisted that progress in Iraq must be measured in more concrete terms, including the delivery of essential services to the Iraqis.
"If the government can't do basic things -- like turn on the lights, provide clean water, make payrolls or supply and sustain the army -- then we'll leave behind a failing state when our troops come home," Biden said.
Meanwhile, violence continued unabated Thursday, with at least 16 people killed throughout Iraq.
In eastern Baghdad, a bomb killed five municipal road sweepers, while 11 people were killed elsewhere in the country. A US military helicopter also crashed southwest of Baghdad.
In a visit to Iraq on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged that militias as well as insurgents were undermining security, but like Khalilzad, he said he was hopeful that a robust political process would eventually help to end the bloodshed.