Report counters optimism about Iraq stability; Internal assessment by U.S. Embassy, military command details discord.(Main)

Byline: ERIC SCHMITT and EDWARD WONG New York Times

WASHINGTON - An internal staff report by the U.S. Embassy and military command in Baghdad provides a sobering province-by-province snapshot of Iraq's political, economic and security situation, rating the overall stability of six of the 18 provinces "serious" and one "critical." The report is a counterpoint to some recent upbeat public statements by top American politicians and military officials.

In 10 pages of briefing slides, the report, titled "Provincial Stability Assessment," underscores the shift in the nature of the Iraq war three years after the toppling of Saddam Hussein. Warnings of sectarian and …