But really, they could have saved themselves the trip.

Iraqi Officials say Civilian Deaths Down a Third in June - The figures, compiled by the interior, health, and defense ministries show 1,241 civilians died in June, compared with 1,951 during May.

U.S. military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Garver says the coalition also keeps track of civilian deaths.

"We have seen a downward trend just as the Iraqi Ministry of Interior put out today. We have seen this trend, but as the surge of operations, Operation Phantom Thunder, just started two weeks ago, we are not yet sure whether our operations are the cause of the decline. We are looking at that very carefully," said Garver. http://voanews.com/english/2007-07-01-voa14.cfm

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The sense that I got from them was I couldn't be more impressed or more proud. And you know the conditions we're under now. This is just beginning to be the hottest part of the year. They're out there operating and frequently billeting, quartering themselves in these JSSs, some of which are pretty rudimentary. And these guys were all over it. They've got tremendous morale. http://www.defendamerica.mil/specials/2007/blog/docs/Bergner_Transcript.pdf

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The Iraqi army is making progress obtaining good leaders and rank-and-file soldiers, as well as developing a more efficient logistics system, a senior U.S. officer serving in Iraq said today.

Senior Iraqi officers visiting training bases report that Iraqi recruits display exuberance and a desire to serve the nation of Iraq, rather than just their tribe or ethnic group, Navy Capt. David Pine, chief of staff for the Joint Headquarters Transition Team Iraq, said today during a teleconference with online journalists and “bloggers.” ...

Members of the Iraqi army “are probably the most professional and disciplined of all the (Iraqi military) organizations,” Pine said. “And, they are all about being Iraqi, not being Sunni or Shiia or Kurd.” http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46706

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Bush cited progress in Anbar province, al Qaeda’s former base in Iraq that was written off by many as lost. “Since then, U.S. and Iraqi forces have teamed with Sunni sheiks who have turned against al Qaeda,” he said. “Hundreds have been killed or captured. Terrorists have been driven from most of the population centers.” http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46827

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Just a few months ago, the idea that Americans could walk around the center of the city would have been unthinkable. U.S. personnel could not move from one heavily fortified area to another without receiving small-arms fire or an improvised explosive device attack.

Times change. A striking illustration of the changing fortunes of Ramadi took place today, when Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, took a walk around downtown. http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46756

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Embedded provincial reconstruction teams, known as EPRTs, are helping teach Iraqi businessmen and local officials how to better function as part of a democratic government.

...One of the primary responsibilities of these teams is refining plans the brigades already have, Lantner said. For example, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team already had planned a micro-loan clinic in Mahmudiyah. The reconstruction team helped make it functional. They also assist Iraqi businesspeople who take advantage of the micro-loans. http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46854

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“Much of the progress we are seeing is the result of the work of our Provincial Reconstruction Teams. These teams bring together military and civilian experts to help local Iraqi communities pursue reconciliation, strengthen moderates, and speed the transition to Iraqi self-reliance.” President George W. Bush http://tinyurl.com/2yje7r

Retired Military Patriot wrote: "Brian Katulis from the Center for American progress really gave it to O'Hanlon on Hardball today and used the word propaganda more than once."

The video is online now: "Is Iraq Making Progress?" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/