Few Iraq benchmarks have been met, McClatchy analysis shows

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Few Iraq benchmarks have been met, McClatchy analysis shows
By Nancy A. Youssef | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — Here is the full list of 18 benchmarks set by Congress in May, with a short description by McClatchy of the status of each.

(1) Forming a Constitutional Review Committee and then completing the constitutional review.

The Iraqi government has appointed a Constitutional Review Committee, but that group hasn't met yet or begun the constitutional review process.

(2) Enacting and implementing legislation on de-Baathification.

In March, the Iraqi parliament considered a de-Baathification law, but Shiite legislators objected and the law died.

(3) Enacting and implementing legislation to ensure the equitable distribution of hydrocarbon resources of the people of Iraq without regard to the sect or ethnicity of recipients, and enacting and implementing legislation to ensure that the energy resources of Iraq benefit Sunni Arabs, Shia Arabs, Kurds and other Iraqi citizens in an equitable manner.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki announced unanimous Cabinet approval of a draft hydrocarbon law. But on Wednesday, Kurdish politicians said they opposed the latest version of the law. The draft law hasn't been published.

(4) Enacting and implementing legislation on procedures to form semi-autonomous regions.

The Iraqi government has not acted on this benchmark. Kurds support enacting legislation to establish strong semi-autonomous regions, but Sunnis object and Shiite groups are split.

(5) Enacting and implementing legislation establishing an Independent High Electoral Commission, provincial elections law, provincial council authorities and a date for provincial elections.

The Iraqi parliament has established an Independent High Electoral Commission, but the commission has not addressed provincial laws. The Iraqi government has said it would like to hold elections by the end of the year, but has not set a date.

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