Iraqis fail 11 out of 18 benchmarks: US report

WASHINGTON - The Iraqi government has not met 11 of 18 benchmarks for political and security reforms set by the US Congress, a government auditors report found Tuesday.
"The Iraqi government met three, partially met four and did not meet 11 of its 18 benchmarks," the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report said.
"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."
When drafts of the GAO report leaked out last week, they reportedly said that only three of 18 benchmarks had been met.
Media reports said the anonymous leaker had been concerned that the White House might try to change the report's recommendations ahead of its release.
col/jkb/ddl

09/04/2007 18:16 GMT