WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Why aren't Iraqi officials held accountable for not moving forward, U.S. senators asked two witnesses offering assessments of political and security progress.
Why aren't consequences imposed on Iraqi governmental officials if "they're not doing what they need to do" to assume control and bring about political reconciliation in Iraq, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., asked U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker Tuesday when they spoke before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
When Sen. Daniel Akara, D-Hawaii, asked a similar question, Crocker said the political situation in Iraq was "very frustrating," but complex. Only during the last few months has sectarian violence begun to gin down, he said.
Some principles embodied in benchmarks requiring legislative action have been addressed, the ambassador said, citing examples of revenue sharing and the extension of conditional immunity.
"Benchmarks are a means to an end," Crocker told the committee.
