Topic: Iraqi prime minister says violence in Iraq decreasing, despite attacks

Media: The Associated Press
Byline: n/a
Date: 27 August 2006


WASHINGTON_Iraq's prime minister said Sunday that violence was decreasing in
his country, despite daily reports of bloodshed and fighting. Nouri
al-Maliki insisted that his government was making progress in efforts to
combat sectarian clashes between Shiites and Sunnis, and terrorism by Sunni
Arab insurgents.

"The violence is not increasing. We're not in a civil war. Iraq will never
be in a civil war," he said through an interpreter on CNN's Late Edition.
"The violence is in decrease and our security ability is increasing."

On Sunday, a series of bomb explosions left at least 15 people dead and
dozens wounded. That followed 26 killings in dozens of attacks Saturday.
Iraqi officials have said about 3,500 Iraqis died violently last month
nationwide _ the highest monthly tally of the war.

Al-Maliki refused to set a specific timeline for how much longer U.S. troops
would be needed in Iraq. Last week, Republican Rep. Chris Shays, a supporter
of the war who previously opposed withdrawal timetables, said the United
States should consider setting a timeline for troop withdrawals.

"I don't want to commit to a certain time or a certain period, but I want to
have my best efforts to decrease this time to a year or less, or a few
months," Al-Maliki said.