New Iraq war report echoes previous analysis

[unhappycamper]

New Iraq war report echoes previous analysis
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Sep 17, 2007 18:24:05 EDT

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The GAO contends that it couldn’t determine if sectarian violence had subsided, as Petraeus and others reported, because it had questions about U.S. officials’ methodology in determining whether a killing was sectarian or criminal in nature. The conflict has not been publicly resolved.

But the reports all agree that the lack of central government political movement on issues such as oil revenue sharing and implementing laws allowing former regime officials to serve in civic life is crippling Iraq’s future.

“The consequences of the Iraqi government’s previous indecisiveness and inaction include the loss of confidence by segments of the Iraqi public, and more importantly, the failure to invest in the emerging provincial reconciliation in Anbar and other areas by providing essential services that would secure the support of new groups as they enter the political process,” the new report says.

“Political progress is at a critical juncture,” the report states.

Two key indicators of government effectiveness remain virtually unchanged. Oil production, the primary source of cash for Iraq, remained about the same during the recent quarter as during the previous quarter, which ended in mid-May. The reason is the same: poor infrastructure and inadequate security. Total crude oil production in August was lower than in June 2006.

The supply of state-provided electricity rose slightly, according to the report.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/09/military_newprogressreport_070917/