I agree with Gary B.. We "bought" a reduction of violence and Al-Sadr's cease fire had a lot to do with it, too. The fact that the neighborhoods have already been "ethnicly cleansed" is also a factor resulting in the appearanceof less violence and killing. We must not forget this occupation is ALL about control of the Iraq oil, not their democracy. Until the Petrochemical Sharing Agreement (PSA) has been passed by Iraq Congress, you will hear all sorts of reasons why we must still militarily occupy Iraq. Once the 4 western oil companies got control of the oil and production through the PSA, I'm sure Bush planned to call it a victory and withdraw all troops, except enough to protect the "oil assets" for the oil companies exploitation. One big problem, going all the way back to the Brenner/CPA, they don't want to give up control of their oil. Hence the stalemate.