AP: THE GAO BACKS DOWN

Originally, it was reported that Iraq failed to meet 13 of the 18 benchmarks.

Advisers Tell Bush to Stand Pat on Iraq
Sep 4, 7:49 PM (ET)
By MATTHEW LEE and ANNE GEARAN

Also Tuesday, the Government Accountability Office, Congress' investigative and auditing arm, reported that Iraq has failed to meet 11 of its 18 political and security goals.

The study was slightly more upbeat than initially planned. After receiving substantial resistance from the White House, the GAO determined that four benchmarks - instead of two - had been partially met.

But the GAO stuck with its original contention that only three goals out of the 18 had been fully achieved. The goals met include establishing joint security stations in Baghdad, ensuring minority rights in the Iraqi legislature and creating support committees for the Baghdad security plan.

U.S. Comptroller David Walker said the GAO did not soften its report due to pressure from the administration and reached its conclusions on its own.