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'Mixed progress' on US Iraq goals 'Mixed progress' on US Iraq goals
(40 minutes later)
The Iraqi government has made mixed progress towards meeting political and military goals set by the US Congress, an interim report is due to say. Iraq's government has made mixed progress towards meeting political and military goals set by the US, an interim report is expected to say.
The report, to be released soon, says Baghdad has had more military than political success, since the US sent more troops to the capital in January. The report, to be released soon, says Baghdad has had more military than political success since the US sent more troops to the capital in January.
The findings come amid growing pressure in Congress on the Bush administration to change course in Iraq.The findings come amid growing pressure in Congress on the Bush administration to change course in Iraq.
The House of Representatives will shortly begin debating the issue.The House of Representatives will shortly begin debating the issue.
The report says Iraq failed to meet eight out of 18 goals, or benchmarks set out by Congress when it approved continued funding for the US deployment. The report says Iraq failed to meet eight out of 18 goals, or benchmarks, set out when Congress approved continued funding for the US deployment.
It says Baghdad had made satisfactory progress in meeting eight of the targets, while the remaining two were less than satisfactory. The report says Baghdad had made satisfactory progress in meeting eight of the targets, while the remaining two were less than satisfactory.
The BBC's Washington correspondent Matt Frei says it is not yet clear whether a mixed progress report will help or hinder the administration in its efforts to limit a Republican rebellion in Congress that might force the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. KEY BENCHMARKS Amend constitution to tackle regional issuesGive jobs to former ruling party membersPass new law on sharing oil resourcesSecurity forces to be even-handed class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6294694.stm">Benchmarks in full class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6295500.stm">Politicians ponder move
The BBC's Washington correspondent Matt Frei says it is not yet clear whether the report will help or hinder the administration in its efforts to limit a Republican rebellion in Congress that might force the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
The Senate is expected to vote next week on amendments to the military budget, which could force cuts in troop numbers.The Senate is expected to vote next week on amendments to the military budget, which could force cuts in troop numbers.
In May, the House passed a bill to immediately release some $43bn (£21.8bn) of funding requested by Mr Bush for the war in Iraq.
It also earmarked $53bn for release only if progress was made towards the political and military benchmarks.
US Democrats want a timetable for withdrawal or a change in the focus of the US mission from combat to counter-terrorism and the training of Iraqi forces.
Some Republicans have joined the ranks of those calling for a phased troop withdrawal.
Mr Bush has said he will veto any bill on a pull-out timetable.