	Legislative Benchmarks

Our analysis shows that the Iraqi government has met one of the eight  legislative benchmarks and partially met another. In addition, the Iraqi  government partially met the benchmark to enact and implement  legislation on the formation of regions; this law was enacted in October  2006 but will not be implemented until April 2008. Six other legislative benchmarks have not been met. The benchmark  requiring a review of the Iraqi Constitution has not been met. In addition,  five other legislative benchmarks have not been met. As figure 1 shows, legislation on de-Ba’athification reform has been  drafted but has yet to be enacted. The Administration’s July 2007 report cited progress in achieving some of  these legislative benchmarks but provided little information on what step  in the legislative process each benchmark had reached. Security Benchmarks

Our analysis shows that the Iraqi government has met two of the nine  security benchmarks. 2)
The Iraqi government partially met the benchmark of providing three  trained and ready brigades to support Baghdad operations. Measuring sectarian violence is  difficult since the perpetrator’s intent is not always clearly known. Economic Benchmark

The Iraqi government partially met the benchmark to allocate and spend  $10 billion because it allocated $10 billion in reconstruction funds when it  passed its 2007 budget in February, 2007. (See appendix XVII for further information on the  economic benchmark)

	Conclusions

As of August 30, 2007, the Iraqi government met 3, partially met 4, and did  not meet 11 of its 18 benchmarks. As the Congress considers the way forward in Iraq, it must balance the  achievement of the 18 Iraqi benchmarks with the military progress,  homeland security, foreign policy and other goals of the United States. First,  the review committee’s work is not finished. The government of Iraq has not set a date for provincial elections. Status

In July 2007, the administration reported that the government of Iraq has  not made satisfactory progress toward providing Iraqi commanders with  all authorities to execute the Baghdad security plan and to make tactical  and operational decisions in consultation with U.S. commanders without  political intervention. Appendix XXI: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq  Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 (the Act) requires GAO to  submit to Congress by September 1, 2007, an independent assessment of  whether or not the government of Iraq has met 18 benchmarks contained  in the Act and the status of the achievement of the benchmarks. As part of this work, we  made multiple visits to Iraq during 2006 and 2007, including a visit from  July 22 to August 1, 2007. Our analyses were enhanced by approximately  100 Iraq-related audits we have completed since May 2003. Additionally, to determine if the Iraqi government is ensuring that the  rights of minority political parties in the Iraqi legislature are protected, we  obtained and reviewed the Administration’s report on progress in Iraq, the  Iraqi constitution, and the Council of Representatives Bylaws. Security Benchmarks

intervention; (4) ensuring that the Iraqi security forces are providing even- handed law enforcement; (5) eliminating safe havens; (6) reducing the  level of sectarian violence and eliminating militia control of local security;  (7) establishing all planned joint security stations; (8) increasing the  number of security units capable of operating independently; and (9)  ensuring that Iraq’s political authorities are not undermining or making  false accusations against members of the Iraqi Security Forces, we took a  number of actions.
Why GAO Did This Study

Public Law 110-28 requires GAO to report to Congress by September 1, 2007, on whether or not the government of Iraq has met 18 benchmarks contained in the Act, and the status of the achievement of these benchmarks. The benchmarks stem from commitments first articulated by the Iraqi government in June 2006. In comparison, the Act requires the administration to report in July and September 2007 on whether satisfactory progress is being made toward meeting the benchmarks, not whether the benchmarks have been met. To complete our work, we reviewed government documents and interviewed officials from U.S. agencies; the UN; and the government of Iraq. We also made multiple visits to Iraq during 2006 and 2007. Our analyses were enhanced by approximately 100 Iraq-related audits we have completed since May 2003.

What GAO Found

The January 2007 U.S. strategy seeks to provide the Iraqi government with the time and space needed to help Iraqi society reconcile. Our analysis of the 18 legislative, security and economic benchmarks shows that as of August 30, 2007, the Iraqi government met 3, partially met 4, and did not meet 11 of its 18 benchmarks. Overall, key legislation has not been passed, violence remains high, and it is unclear whether the Iraqi government will spend $10 billion in reconstruction funds. These results do not diminish the courageous efforts of coalition forces. The Iraqi government has met one of eight legislative benchmarks: the rights of minority political parties in Iraq's legislature are protected. The government also partially met one other benchmark to enact and implement legislation on the formation of regions; this law was enacted in October 2006 but will not be implemented until April 2008. Six other legislative benchmarks have not been met. Specifically, a review committee has not completed work on important revisions to Iraq's constitution. Further, the government has not enacted legislation on de-Ba'athification, oil revenue sharing, provincial elections, amnesty, or militia disarmament. The Administration's July 2007 report cited progress in achieving some of these benchmarks but provided little information on what step in the legislative process each benchmark had reached. Two of nine security benchmarks have been met. Specifically, Iraq's government has established various committees in support of the Baghdad security plan and established almost all of the planned Joint Security Stations in Baghdad. The government has partially met the benchmarks of providing three trained and ready brigades for Baghdad operations and eliminating safe havens for outlawed groups. Five other benchmarks have not been met. The government has not eliminated militia control of local security, eliminated political intervention in military operations, ensured even-handed enforcement of the law, increased army units capable of independent operations, or ensured that political authorities made no false accusations against security forces. It is unclear whether sectarian violence in Iraq has decreased--a key security benchmark--since it is difficult to measure the perpetrator's intent and other measures of population security show differing trends. Finally, the Iraqi government has partially met the economic benchmark of allocating and spending $10 billion on reconstruction. Preliminary data indicates that about $1.5 billion of central ministry funds had been spent, as of July 15, 2007. As the Congress considers the way forward in Iraq, it must balance the achievement of the 18 Iraqi benchmarks with the military progress, homeland security, foreign policy, and other goals of the United States. Future administration reporting to assist the Congress would be enhanced with adoption of the recommendations we make in this report.