Pentagon Deputy: No Impact Yet From Funding Fight

Brig. Gen. Perry Wiggins, the new deputy director for operations on the joint staff, told Pentagon reporters late Thursday that, "from my foxhole, I have not seen any impact" from the delayed passage of the supplemental war spending bill in Congress. Bush and the Democratic leadership have sparred for several months over what kind of oversight and restrictions those in Congress can impose on the war.

Among other comments, Wiggins said 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, he said, troops have found nearly as many arms caches in the first four months of this year than they did all of last year. But "there continues to be a rise in the number of high-profile vehicle IED 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 (MRAP's), which are far more effective in absorbing the impact of roadside bombs.

He echoed hopes that the Iraqi government adhere 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