U.S.: Iraq ethnic violence 'negligible'

BAGHDAD, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- A U.S. military official said Tuesday Iraq is "in a very different place" now because of efforts to curtail ethnic and sectarian violence in the country.

Iraq Multinational Force spokesman Army Brig. Gen. David Perkins cited statistics indicating violent incidents in the first week of the month-long Muslim Ramadan observance were more than 60 percent lower than in the year-earlier period.

He added ethnic and sectarian violence in Iraq had also decreased from about 60 incidents per week last year to "negligible levels" today, saying, "Iraqis refuse to be pitted against each other by senseless violence."

Perkins said while al-Qaida is still capable of committing high-profile terrorist attacks in Iraq, coalition forces are pursuing them aggressively and are limiting their ability to operate. He noted security responsibility for 11 of Iraq's 18 provinces is now under Iraqi government control.