Somewhere, USA: What is morale like for those men and women in Iraq?

Jim Wilkinson: Hello everyone. Lets get started.

On the question of morale, I have had the chance to accompany General Franks on several occasions into Iraq as he visited the troops, and I can tell you that the forces in the field are proud of their accomplishments and they continue to serve with distinction. Their morale is strong, they believe in their Commander in Chief and their mission, and they know that much tough work lies ahead.

________________________________________________

Anchorage, Alaska: Jim, everything we're hearing in the news seems to be bad, bad and more bad for the effort to generate civil society in Iraq. Can you tell us if anything is going RIGHT over there? What are one or two key developments that have occurred?

Jim Wilkinson: Glad you asked this question. The media tend to focus on isolated events in Iraq and they miss the big picture. For example, many Iraqis already have more power, clean water and basic services than they had under the tyrannical Saddam Hussein regime. On the humanitarian assistance front, there has not been the predicted humanitarian crisis because Coalition nations have aggressively provided assistance --- including food, shelter, medicines and other help. On the security front, our forces typically conduct more than 2,000 patrols in Iraq a day -- and these patrols include Iraqi policemen who are back to work. For example, in the last 24 hours, Coalition forces conducted 2,595 patrols and arrested 264 individuals for criminal activities. One final point is that Saddam Hussein released thousands of Iraqi criminals from his prisons just before the war began. It will take time to round up these criminals. Finally, Iraqis are already meeting to decide the size, shape and scope of their new government. These are a few positive activities that are happening and if you want to receive a daily update I urge you to visit www.centcom.mil.

________________________________________________

Tbisili, Georgia: Hi Jim
I am sitting here in a new democracy; the republic of georgia and was wondering....is there some way that the US government can communicate to the US public the slow pace of progress when it comes to democracy? Here in Tbisili; democracy is in place; but there are still power outages; there isn't a full market economy; and people don't have work. Do you think that US and our allies have unrealistic expectations of how long it will take for Iraq to truly be operational democracy?

Jim Wilkinson: Thanks for the question.

When talking about democracy and the sometimes slow pace of progress, it is important to remember our own history. It took our own country some time to get established and to decide on a Constitution. There are also other real-world concerns to remember. For example, in Iraq, the electric power grid is so antiquated that a simple downed power line in one sector can cause power to go out for an entire town. Ambassador Bremer, Coalition allies, and the US military are making improvements to the power system but it will take time to rewire and rebuild a country the size of California. I think many people assume that the infrastructure we enjoy in the US is enjoyed everywhere, and that simply isn't the case. On your question of expectations, I don't see how a nation that has supported freedom and thrives on democracy can have unrealistic expecations about a system that has proven through history to be the best for citizenry. It is important to remember that citizens in countries like Iraq have never had a forum to speak their mind. For example, I attended the first-even democratic meeting that was held in Ur, Iraq soon after the war ended. The Iraqis that attended this meeting would have been murdered just days before for having expressed their opinions. Right now the Coalition is providing important assistance to the many meetings that are being held across Iraq to form the new Iraqi government. There continue to be elections held in all corners of Iraq as the local towns elect mayors and city councils for the first time. Democracy isn't easy, but democracy is the best system and we must be patient with the new nation as it takes it first steps of freedom.

________________________________________________

Lyme, Ct.: How well are public services being restored? Are public safety services about normal? Has looting been contained to a point where the public can feel safe? Does everyone have electricity and the usual public utilities? Finally, who is actually making governing decisions, and is there a definite plan to phase these decisions to others?

Jim Wilkinson: The situation in Iraq improves every day. In many areas Iraqis already have more power and water than they did before the war under the Saddam Hussein regime. On the looting front, as I said before, we must remember that Saddam Hussein released thousands of criminals from his prisons into the Iraqi streets just before the war. It will take some time to round up these criminals who have been responsible for much of the looting. Our forces conduct roughly 2,500 patrols a day and every day they are arresting those who loot and otherwise cause trouble.

________________________________________________

Arlington, Va.: Mr. Wilkinson,

U.S. servicemen are being killed at an alarming rate for a country whose regime has fallen. Why do you think this is? What can be done about the problem? Are more troops on the ground the answer? Thank you.

Jim Wilkinson: The attackers are simply those that others have called "dead enders" who know that they will have no place in the post-Saddam Iraq because they were the foot soldiers for a regime that murdered and tortured its people, and used food, medicine and other basic services as tools of control. During the war the regime used terrorist death squads to terrorize Iraqis and attack Coalition forces. There are still members of these death squads still out there and it is simply going to take time to round them up.

________________________________________________

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.