much of this engagement takes place quietly, unadvertised. but just because you don't see it, just because we don't say it, doesn't mean we're not doing it. we've also seen, i think in recent weeks, significant progress on a number of issues. every day we're cooperating with iraqis on the security threats that iraq still faces, on boosting and protecting iraq's vital energy sector, and supporting iraq's emergence as a member of the international community in good standing and responsible regional actor, and as i said there is progress on all of these fronts. for example, oil production is now at about 2.7 million barrels per day up from 1.8 million a day in 2005 and headed to over 3 million barrels a day by the end of this year. oil exports have provided much needed revenue that enabled lawmakers to pass a $100 billion budget in mid february. we've also seen unprecedented steps toward reintegrating iraq in this region. the appointment of a nonresident saudi ambassador for the first time since 1990. visits by national security adviser, visits

much of this engagement takes place quietly, unadvertised. but just because you do not see it, just because we do not say it, does not mean we are not doing it. we have also seen, i think, in recent weeks, significant progress. the number everyday cooperating on security threats iraq faces, on boosting and protecting the vital energy sector, and supporting iraq's emergence as a member of the international community in good standing and irresponsible regional actor -- as i said, there is progress on all of these fronts. for example, the oil production is now at $2.7 million a barrel. we are heading to more than 300 million barrels a day. well exports have allowed revenues that passed a $100 million budget in mid-february. we have seen steps toward integrating iraq. the appointment of a non- resident saudi ambassador for the first time since 1990. visits by the minister of justice. visits to baghdad by a jordanian and turkish officials. a visit to kuwait ended a thorny dispute. there was an agreement to settle at iraqi debts to egyptian workers