Fact Sheet highlights achievements, Iraqi opinions

The Department of Defense issued a document June 25 outlining progress towards completing the five steps President Bush laid out for the realization of a free and democratic Iraq.

Following is the text of the document:

(begin fact sheet)

6/25 DOD Talking Points public opinion on Iraq handover

Despite attempts by terrorists and insurgents to sow instability in Iraq as the June 30 date for transition to sovereignty draws nearer, a recent poll of Iraqis shows many feel positive about their country and their future. Because of the sacrifice and determination of U.S. and Coalition soldiers and the Iraqi people, Iraq has made great progress toward the five steps toward a free and democratic Iraq outlined by President Bush (transcript) . Following are relevant facts on Iraqi views and accomplishments.

Step One:
Hand over authority to a sovereign Iraqi government.

-- On June 30, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) will transfer full sovereignty to Iraq.
-- The Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) will become the ruling body in Iraq.
-- The Iraqi Interim Government will consist of a president, two deputy-presidents, a prime minister and 26 ministries.
-- Control of all 26 ministries has already been turned over to Iraqi ministers.
-- The Iraqi Interim Government will operate under the rules defined in the Transitional Administrative Law, the most liberal basic governance document in the Arab world.
-- On June 8, the U.N. Security Council unanimously endorsed the Iraqi Interim Government and the holding of democratic elections no later than January 2005.

Iraqi snapshot:
-- 80 percent of Iraqis approve of the interim government and 68 percent of Iraqis have confidence in it.
-- 79 percent of Iraqis think the interim government will make things better for Iraq.
-- 84 percent of Iraqis approve of President Al-Yawer; 73 percent approve of Prime Minister Allawi.

Step Two
Help establish the stability and security in Iraq that democracy requires.

-- Iraqi Security Forces are growing. More than 200,000 Iraqis are on duty or in training to protect their country.
-- Iraqi police and Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC) have recently captured several terrorists, including a key al-Zarqawi lieutenant.
-- The ICDC is conducting joint patrols throughout Iraq with other Coalition forces and Iraqi police forces.

Iraqi snapshot:
-- 52 percent of Iraqis say that security is the most urgent issue facing Iraq. This is the lowest number ever for "security." Infrastructure placed second at 22 percent; the first time it has been deemed more urgent than "economy."
-- 70 percent of Iraqis express confidence in the New Iraqi Army.
-- 82 percent of Iraqis express confidence in the Iraqi Police Service.

Step Three
Continue rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure.

-- Estimated crude oil export revenue is more than $6.9 billion for 2004.
-- All 22 universities and 43 technical institutes and colleges are open.
-- Coalition forces have rehabilitated more than 2,500 schools and an additional 1,200 are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
-- All 240 hospitals and more than 1,200 health clinics are open. Health care spending in Iraq has increased 30 times over pre-war levels.
-- An estimated 85 percent of Iraqi children have been immunized.
-- There are now 55,000 Internet subscribers in Baghdad; in 2002 there were 3,000.
-- The number of telephone subscribers, including cell phones, is now more than 1.2 million - more than 45 percent above pre-war levels.

Iraqi snapshot:
-- Infrastructure issues are rising in importance for Iraqis.
-- Infrastructure needs are seen as the second most urgent issue in Iraq after security.

Step Four
Encourage more international support.

-- Thirty-one countries have forces in Iraq.
-- Prime Minister Allawi has written NATO ahead of the upcoming summit in Istanbul, requesting additional international forces in Iraq. After June 30, U.S. and Coalition forces will remain in Iraq and will operate under American command as part of a multinational force authorized by the U.N.
-- Prime Minister Ayad Allawi announced a plan regarding the country's militias. Nearly 90 percent of the 100,000 militia members will transition into new occupations prior to the elections.

Step Five
Move toward a national election that will bring forward new leaders empowered by the Iraqi people.

-- By the end of 2005, Iraqis are scheduled to vote on a new constitution that will protect the rights of all Iraqi citizens regardless of their religion or ethnicity. This is the historic point when Iraq will have the necessary legitimacy for durable self-rule. During this process Iraqis will decide for themselves the exact structure of their permanent government and the provisions of their Iraqi constitution.
-- The U.N. Security Council on June 8 unanimously passed Resolution 1546, endorsing the transition timetable adopted by Iraqis and encouraging other U.N. members to add their support.
-- The international community at large will continue to play a key role in helping Iraq stand on its own feet through actions such as economic assistance, debt relief and continued military support.

Iraqi Snapshot
-- Over 50 percent of Iraqis believe that elections will be free and fair (36 percent believed that there will be minor problems).
-- 75 percent of Iraqis believe that the best guarantee of free and fair elections is the careful watch by international election experts.
-- 64 percent of Iraqis believe that all political parties, regardless of their policies, should be allowed to have access to TV in order to reach voters.
-- Just 13 percent of Iraqis believe that the area where they live is controlled by parties or other organizations that would force their vote.

(end fact sheet)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)