IMF AND UN SEE A GOOD YEAR AHEAD FOR IRAQ

SOMEONE SEND A COPY OF THIS TO THE DEMS!

BBC:

Iraq faces a period of economic growth and political progress, according to assessments by the International Monetary Fund and the UN.

The IMF sees a 7% jump in growth in 2008 and a similar rise next year, and says oil revenues from buoyant exports should be up by 200,000 barrels a day.

The UN envoy to Iraq welcomed dialogue between the Sunni and Shia communities and praised the government's work. ...

The change in the political mood is largely down to the passing of a law on Saturday, enabling some members of the Baath Party of Saddam Hussain to re-enter the military and bureaucracy, our correspondent says.

They were barred from public service by one of the first acts of the US-run Coalition Provisional Administration.

The law reversing that expulsion, combined with the sharp fall in violence in much of Iraq, has led to greater optimism.

WE WON.