Bush notes Iraqi progress

CRAWFORD, Texas, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- In his weekly radio address Saturday, President George Bush said steady progress has been made in the 100 days since major combat operations ended in Iraq.

Coalition forces are working with Iraqis to establish a new Iraqi army, and more than 26,000 police officers are on duty in towns and cities across Iraq, the president said.

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"Every day, Iraq is making progress in rebuilding its economy. In Baghdad, the banks have opened, and this fall, new bank notes will be issued, replacing the old ones bearing the former dictator's image," Bush said.

"More than a million barrels of crude oil and over 2 million gallons of gasoline are being produced daily."

Most important, the 25-member Iraqi Governing Council, representing the diverse groups in the country, is meeting regularly and drawing up a budget, Bush said.

"Soon, representatives of the people will begin a new constitution and free elections will follow," he said.