Iraq Today

Several blogs reprinted a list of current conditions Iraq. Initially, the absence of source or citation made me suspicious. However, it's authentic -- a January 6th press release from the State Department -- and includes:

• The port of Umm Qasr has been rehabilitated and reopened to commercial traffic, producing more than $18 million in tariff revenues, with projections of more than $24 million this year.


• More than 100,000 law enforcement officers are on duty.


• More than 62,000 Iraqi armed forces, including army, air force, national guard, and coastal defense units, are serving or training.


• Over 2,405 schools have been rehabilitated, 33,000 secondary school teachers trained and 8.7 million textbooks printed and distributed.


• Twenty-five Fulbright grantees and over 20 Iraqi high school students are studying in U.S. educational institutions.


• Some 110 health clinics have been opened, 2,500 medical staff are being trained, and over 600 medical centers are being equipped.


• Five million children under the age of 5 have been vaccinated against childhood diseases.


• Small loans for entrepreneurs totaling over $33 million are available around the country.


• The Iraq Stock Exchange opened in June 2004 including 44 companies with a market capitalization of over $1.9 billion.


• The Iraqi cabinet includes six women ministers and seven women deputy ministers.


• Twenty-eight women’s centers throughout Iraq (22 now open) offer computer and literacy classes, job skills, and access to information about health care and legal services.


• Iraq has a vibrant and free press—with over 300 newspapers and numerous television and radio outlets.

As Banner of Liberty says, "Not bad for a quagmire."