Can someone please translate this guy into plain English for me? Because, seriously, this reads like, well, see for yourself:
The U.S. had to transfer sovereignty precisely so it could stay. This was the only way to get enough legitimacy to fight the insurgents and work on rebuilding. And from those weeks on, the administration was unwavering in its support of the June 30 transfer.
Politically, at least, its constancy is paying off. Since the transfer I've had candid conversations with four senior officials with responsibility for Iraq. They are more cautiously optimistic than at any time over the past year. One puts the odds of a successful outcome at three to one.
Iraq now has a popular government with a tough, capable prime minister. Democratic institutions are emerging, including a culture of compromise. Clerics are now preaching against insurgents. Sistani calls them sinners, and prohibits cooperation.
Thanks, in part, to Bremer's decisiveness, the political transition is going well. It's when you turn to military matters that things look tough.
Well, if THAT's our only problem ... Jeez, why didn't somebody just say so?
Oh, and Muqtada al-Sadr called. He said that's a nice fairy tale, and thanks, but no thanks.