Forming Constitutional Review Committee and completing the review.
Enacting and implementing laws on de-Baathification.
The “Justice and Accountability Law” passed on January 12, 2008, with concerns among
Sunnis that it still unfairly targets them and may in some respects be worse than the initial de-Baathification measures it aims to correct. Implementation of the law has been incomplete, and some provisions could allow for judicial prosecution of all ex-Baathists and firing of former Baathists serving in Iraq’s security sector.
Enacting and implementing oil laws that ensure equitable distribution of resources.
Enacting and implementing laws to form semi-autonomous regions in Iraq.
These laws passed in
fall 2006. Implementation period began last spring, but no Iraqi provinces have taken advantage of it yet.
Enacting and implementing laws to establish a higher electoral commission, a provincial elections law, a law to specify the authorities of provincial bodies, and set a date for provincial elections.
Iraqi High Electoral Commission and
provincial powers laws passed. The elections law
passed in September 2008. Elections are scheduled to take place before February 2009, but no date has been set.
Enacting and implementing legislation addressing amnesty for former insurgents.
This legislation passed, but implementation information remains uncertain. William V. Gallo, director of U.S. Law and Order Task Force, says the amnesty law “
hasn’t worked as well as we thought it would.” Less than 10 percent of the 17,000 approved for release have been released due to slow judicial processes.
Enacting and implementing laws on militia disarmament.
Establishing political, media, economic, and services committees to support U.S. surge.
Providing three trained and ready Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad security plan.
Iraqi units have been
deployed to Baghdad.
Providing Iraqi commanders the authority to make decisions, without political intervention, to pursue all extremists, including Sunni insurgents and Shia militias.
Strong concerns remain over the use of Iraqi Security Forces as a political tool, especially selective targeting of Sadrists and uncertainty over Maliki’s plan for the Sons of Iraq.
Ensuring Iraqi Security Forces are providing even-handed enforcement of law.
Militia infiltration and influence remain a problem, particularly in the police.
Ensuring that the surge plan in Baghdad will not provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of sectarian affiliation.
ISF has
moved into Sadr City, and Baghdad has become increasingly stable, though safe havens and pockets of violence remain.
Reducing sectarian violence and eliminating militia control of local security.
Sectarian violence has been reduced, but the
cause remains unclear. U.S. strategy with Sons of Iraq has increased militia control of local security in Sunni areas, while ISF deployments in Sadr City and Basra have reduced overt Sadrist militia presence there.
Establishing Baghdad joint security stations.
More than 50 joint security stations are operating.
Increasing ISF units capable of operating independently.
Ensuring the protection of minority parties in Iraq’s Council of Representatives.
Met. Article 37 of Iraq’s constitution offers protections to these parties.
Allocating and spending $10 billion in capital projects in 2007.
Though spending increased, Iraq
spent only $3.4 billion on capital projects in 2007.
Government accusations against ISF officers still observed.