WASHINGTON - The White House on Tuesday downplayed a US watchdog report which found the Iraqi government had failed to meet 11 out of 18 benchmarks set by the US Congress, saying it did show the whole picture.
"The GAO report takes a static view of progress in Iraq," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto, speaking about the report by the Government Accountability Office.
"The GAO was required to determine if benchmarks had or had not been met, and not assess progress," he said, urging everyone to wait for "a more thorough picture of the current status in Iraq and recommendations for the future."
Government auditors found the Iraqi government under Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had only fully met three of the benchmarks set earlier this year by the Congress, and partially met four.
"Overall, key legislation has not been passed, violence remains high, and it is unclear whether the Iraqi government will spend 10 billion dollars in reconstruction funds," it said.
But Fratto warned against a rush to judgement.
"It will be more useful to look forward to the testimony of Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus next week, as well as the president's report, for a more thorough picture of the current status in Iraq and recommendations for the future," he said.
The US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and the ambassador to Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, are due to testify before Congress next week on progress in the war now in its fifth year. The White House is also due to issue a report on the surge stratgey.
"Everyone was aware that some progress could be seen on a number of the benchmarks. I'm not aware that anyone expected the benchmarks to be completed by September," Fratto said.
lal/jkb/sg
09/04/2007 19:34 GMT