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Iraq 'will deteriorate'
03/02/2007 09:29 - (SA)
Washington - A new United States intelligence report predicted on Friday that the situation in Iraq would deteriorate unless efforts were made to reverse conditions.
A declassified version of the 90-page National Intelligence Estimate was to be released at midday.
It said US and coalition capabilities, "including force levels, resources and operations remain an essential element in Iraq" and that a quick US withdrawal from Iraq would have dangerous consequences, such as an increase in violence.
The report describes a serious situation in Iraq, with Iraqi-on-Iraqi violence having surpassed al-Qaeda activities.
"Unless efforts to reverse these conditions show measurable progress during the term of this estimate, the coming 12 to 18 months, we assess that the overall security of the situation will continue to deteriorate," according to a portion of the report made available to Reuters.
It also says Iranian activities inside Iraq lead to increased violence, although are not a major cause of it.
An administration official said there were no surprises in the report, that the underlying intelligence used for it was also used by President George W Bush in the development of his new Iraq strategy.
"The situation on the ground is serious and complex, will take some time, and this provides further and clear evidence why a new strategy was necessary," said the official.
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