BAGHDAD (AP) -- U.S. ambasssador to Iraq Ryan Crocker tells The Associated Press that significant progress has been made in the war there and it will take an enormous shift in sentiment among Iraqis to undo the gains.

Crocker also said that while he is generlly optimistic about the country's future, he is not yet willing to predict that recent progress will continue without major setbacks.

The ambassador also said that he sees almost no chance that provincial elections scheduled for October will take place earlier than December. He described himself as cautiously optimistic that the government will work out the compromises needed to pass legislation required before the landmark elections can be held.