Pentagon report: Iraq democracy still on track: Evaluation of Iraq cites progress, omits withdrawal date for U.S. troops

MSNBC, via AP, Updated: 4:36 p.m. ET July 21, 2005

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon told Congress Thursday that Iraqi insurgents are failing to derail the move toward democracy but remain "capable, adaptable and intent" on carrying out lethal attacks aided by a continuing inflow of foreign terrorists.
Its 23-page report — the most comprehensive public assessment yet by the military establishment of progress in Iraq — was more than a week overdue. In it, the Pentagon cited progress on political, economic and security fronts. But it did not say how soon Iraqi security forces will be sufficiently trained to defend the country without the direct assistance of American troops.
U.S. officers have developed a method of calculating the combat readiness of the approximately 76,700 Iraqi Army troops, but the Pentagon said it "should not and must not" publicly disclose specific data.

NOTE: The Pentagon Report, "Report to Congress: Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq" is available via defenselink.mil.