Assess yourself

I'm always amazed that the US generals in Iraq are given significant media space to assess the progress in their own areas of responsibility.

U.S. military commanders in Baghdad have concluded that Iraq's 27,000-member national police force has made progress in weeding out officers involved in sectarian violence and should not be disbanded, countering the judgment of an independent commission that last fall deemed the police corrupt beyond repair and recommended that the force be eliminated.

The Iraqi efforts are "bearing fruit," said Army Maj. Gen. Michael Jones, commander of the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, which advises the Iraqi Interior Ministry. "We have seen a significant change in their performance and behavior. For the most part, they are doing a good job."

Do you expect the general in charge of the Iraqi police to say, "yes, I've failed. Destroy everything I've been working on?"