Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks

Public Law 110-28 requires the Government Accountability Office (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 its work, GAO reviewed government documents and interviewed officials from U.S. agencies, the United Nations, and the government of Iraq. GAO also made multiple visits to Iraq during 2006 and 2007. The analyses were enhanced by approximately 100 Iraq-related audits GAO has completed since May 2003. GAO's 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. In future reports to Congress on the benchmarks, GAO recommends that the Secretaries of State and Defense do the following: (1) specify clearly what step in the Iraqi legislative process each draft law has reached, (2) identify trends in sectarian violence together with broader measures of population security, and (3) better identify the operational readiness of Iraqi security forces. State and DoD concurred with GAO's recommendations but disagreed with its assessment of certain benchmarks. Report to Congressional Committees.