US Ambassador Urges Patience in Iraq as Bloodshed Continues(1/2)

Despite continued violence in Iraq, Ambassador Crocker says it is too soon to pass judgment on the efficacy of the U.S. troop surge in the country.

"We are still just reaching full strength with the additional troops coming in for the surge. The last units will close this month. So, it is really just starting, in June, that we will have our full force in the effort. We have also said from the beginning this is going to be a hard fight, and it is. We are moving into areas we have not been before, and we are holding onto them, so, there will be good days, good weeks, and not-so-good weeks. We just have to stay steady on this and try to make a difference on the ground."

Mr. Crocker spoke on the Fox News Sunday television program.

The surge is to be fully completed in coming weeks, and the Bush administration plans to review progress in Iraq in September. Iraqi leaders say they will need more time to build up their country's armed forces and take vital political steps before they can effectivelyassume full control of security operations.