As the General said, there are two things which need to happen. And there aren't.

First, political reconciliation. According to the General, after all the if's buts and ands are taken care of, this isn't happening. He implies that it should happen, could happen, but that intransigent elements are preventing that from taking place. I'll be darned.

Second, the Iraqi forces are NOT being trained, or at least not taking over their own security. Ain't going on. Lots of, again, if's ands and buts, whens, that sort of thing, but it's not happening. Lot's of small, tactical, anecdotal victories, no real progress. Entertains the reporters, and the folks at home, I guess. Gives him something to say.

So, what he said, is that when political reconciliation takes place and when the Iraqis become responsible for their own security we'll be able to reduce our forces.

They should not be allowed to give the same press conference more than 8 or 10 times. This one has been going on for about three years.

And, remember, this sort of press conference was predicted, and they'll get more rosy in the "pie in the sky by and by" department as the situation on the ground gets more and more difficult. The September press conferences will be masterpieces of fluff, stuff and nonsense if this is any indication.

Arf