Reports on Iraq to Congress

There is pressure on President Bush to reduce the US presence in Iraq

There have been a number of recent progress reports on Iraq.

The top US military commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, and US ambassador Ryan Crocker this week delivered their key findings to Congress.

President Bush announced on Thursday a limited withdrawal of US troops because of the "measure of success" in Iraq and on Friday, the White House published its final progress report on Iraq.

The following is a round-up of the findings and recommendations from the various reports.

WHITE HOUSE FINAL REPORT 14 SEP

Iraq has met nine out of 18 targets for political and security progress set out by the US Congress

Only one to move from unsatisfactory to satisfactory since July - progress on enacting and implementing legislation on de-Baathification, that is allowing former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party to hold government positions

Eight others including eliminating havens for outlaws, deploying three trained brigades to Baghdad, ensuring rights of minority political parties are protected in parliament - satisfactory progress

Seven including enactment of law on sharing oil resources among communities, ensuring Iraqi security forces provide even-handed law enforcement, increasing the number of Iraqi security forces able to operate independently - not satisfactory progress

As in July, too early to analyse progress on two benchmarks: passing amnesty legislation and establishing a programme to disarm militias.

INDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON IRAQI SECURITY FORCES
6 SEPTEMBER

Iraq's security forces will be unable to assume control of the country in the next 12 to 18 months

Reduction of US forces and handing over to the Iraqis is "possible and prudent", and changes could begin in early 2008

The national police force should be disbanded because of the level of corruption and infiltration by militia forces

An adequate logistics system to support the Iraqi army is at least two years away

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
4 SEPTEMBER

(non-partisan Congressional watchdog)

Of 18 stated political and military benchmarks, Iraq has failed to meet 11, and political progress is unsatisfactory

Iraq has met three goals: establishing joint security stations in Baghdad, ensuring minority rights in the Iraqi legislature and creating support committees for the Baghdad security plan

Violence remains high, and it is unclear whether sectarian-fuelled attacks have decreased

The number of Iraqi security forces capable of conducting independent operations has declined, and militias remain active

WHITE HOUSE INTERIM PROGRESS REPORT
12 JULY

Iraq has made satisfactory progress on eight benchmarks, including eliminating havens for outlaws and deploying three trained brigades to Baghdad

Iraq has made unsatisfactory progress on nine benchmarks, including increasing the number of Iraqi security forces able to operate independently and passing legislation to calm sectarian feuds.

It is too early to analyse Iraq's progress on two benchmarks: passing amnesty legislation and establishing a programme to disarm militias.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE ON IRAQ
23 AUGUST

The Iraqi government is hampered by violence and deep sectarian differences among its political parties

Iraq's neighbours will continue to try to expand their influence in the country in anticipation that US forces will soon leave

Some security progress has been made, but there is little hope for reconciliation among Iraq's feuding groups