Undoubtedly, there are members of the former regime that are cooperating in some fashion and then there are extremists that are within Iraq that are cooperating with them.

Undoubtedly, there are members of the former regime that are cooperating in some fashion and then there are extremists that are within Iraq that are cooperating with them.

So, these political activities will create friction in and of themselves, and in this environment of friction there'll be additional violence.

Oh, the transition concerns me because as we move towards an important political event, it's clear to me that the terrorists and insurgents will move as hard as they can to disrupt this process.

But the key shift in focus will be from counter-insurgency operations to more and more cooperation with Iraqi security forces and to building Iraqi security capacity.

I believe we've... we've worked very hard with the Iraqis to build a better place ever since the fall of Saddam's government.

And over time, I think, as Iraqi security capacity builds, you'll see American and coalition presence there decline.