General Calls Iraq Operations ‘Worth It’ in Final News Briefing

As the final U.S. military convoys roll out of Iraq these next three weeks, 
Americans can be proud of the work service members did there, 
Army Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick  violence is at an eight-year low.
“We gave 28 million Iraqis the greatest gift anyone can give and that is their freedom,” 
Iraq has made good progress on police work, the general said, and is capable of securing the country internally, if not externally.

Asked if the Iraqis are capable of doing their part to keep U.S. State Department employees and contractors safe when they take over the U.S. role there Jan. 1, the general said, “My gut tells me they will be capable to do this -- they’re doing it today.”

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66382