WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. senators quizzed two witnesses who presented an assessment of political and security progress in Iraq about benchmarks, troop drawdowns and strategy.
Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, exhibiting a different tenor than their counterparts in the U.S. House of Representatives in their questions to U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, were more pointed in asking about strategy, political reconciliation and the Iraqi government's meeting benchmarks to take over the running of the country.
Rep. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., saying he's seen "very little progress" toward national reconciliation or agreed-to benchmarks.
What's missing in the testimony is a "strategic context" that looks beyond Iraq's borders, he said.
Crocker said, "We have to maintain an open mind ... about what Iraq should be."
He said the Iraqi leaders know the government was "dysfunctional," which demonstrates a shift from a sectarian thinking.
After several senators asked about dates for combat troop drawdowns and the Iraqi takeover of security and governance, Petraeus said, "I am as frustrated with this as anybody else."
In closing, committee Chairman Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., said he respected Petraeus and Crocker "but I don't see clear political plan."
