General Sees No Impact Yet From Lack Of Iraq Funding

Brig. Gen. Perry Wiggins, the new deputy director for operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Pentagon reporters that Sunni insurgents continue to target Iraqi leaders but that the "surge" of U.S. troops in Iraq is making progress -- though, he added, "it's often not flashy."

In the city of Ramadi, troops, he said, have found nearly as many arms caches in the first four months of this year as they did all of last year. But, he added, "there continues to be a rise in the number of high-profile vehicle improvised explosive devices and suicide attacks on soft targets," or Iraqi civilians.

Wiggins did not comment on reports that the Army is looking into replacing almost one for one its humvees for mine resistant ambush protected vehicles, which are far more effective in absorbing the impact of roadside bombs.

However, on questions as to whether the lack of a funding bill from Congress has had an impact on operations in Iraq or Afghanistan or on units that are preparing to go, Wiggins responded "from my foxhole, I have not seen any impact."

He echoed hopes that the Iraqi government adheres to its commitment to be politically neutral while it carries out the Baghdad security plan and that the pace of the Iraqi security force contributions speeds up. "Well, I can tell you I think everybody wants things to move a little quicker," Wiggins said.

By Anna Mulrine