Mr. BOWEN: Well, the insurgency continues, but I'm not willing to draw a cause and effect analysis between how we're doing on the reconstruction front and the level of insurgency.

NPR: Progress, Problems in Iraq's Reconstruction Effort

It is important to note that such progress is being made on a far more accelerated schedule than our fathers were able to effect in their post-World War II occupation and reconstruction of Germany and Japan.

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Aid agencies have often criticised the PRTs, which carry out a mix of reconstruction work, as an inadequate response to deteriorating security - an "Isaf effect" without the means or the mandate.

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Indeed, any peace and reconstruction process that is predicated on Mr Milosevic's co-operation has the side-effect of shoring up his authority, and this he is always keen to do.

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