Independent study finds Iraq has failed to meet most goals

A Government Accountability Office report released Tuesday concludes that Iraq's government has failed to meet most legislative, economic and security benchmarks established by Congress.

The much-anticipated report kicks off what is expected to be a month dominated by debate over Iraq policy, as Democrats in both chambers continue efforts to end the increasingly unpopular war. The report says the Iraqi government has met three of 18 benchmarks, partially met four and failed to achieve 11.

"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," according to the report.

Specifically, the Iraqi government has achieved one of its eight legislative benchmarks -- protecting the rights of minority political parties in Iraq's legislature -- and two of nine security benchmarks -- establishing committees to support the Baghdad security plan and standing up nearly all of the so-called Joint Security Stations in Baghdad. The nascent government's failures include its inability to eliminate militia control of local security and ensure even-handed law enforcement.

On the economic front, the government has only partially met the benchmark stipulating it must allocate and spend $10 billion on reconstruction. Preliminary data gathered by GAO indicates about $1.5 billion had been spent as of July 15. It remains unclear whether the rest will be spent by Dec. 31, the end of the country's fiscal year, according to the report.

GAO implores Congress to "balance the achievement of the 18 Iraqi benchmarks with the military progress, homeland security, foreign policy, and other goals of the United States" as it considers the way forward. GAO also recommends the Bush administration provide more detailed information on the benchmarks in reports to Congress. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is meeting this afternoon with Comptroller General David Walker.

The House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs committees will hold a joint hearing Wednesday, while the Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on the report Friday.