Mike Levin: “Thank you for your letter inquiring about the benchmarks that the Government for Iraq set for itself last fall. I…”

“Thank you for your letter inquiring about the benchmarks that the Government for Iraq set for itself last fall. I emphasize the words ``set for itself last fall.'' Addressing me, she wrote: As you mentioned, I sent to you a letter in January in which I noted that Iraq's Political Committee on National Security agreed upon a set of benchmarks and an associated timeline, which were reaffirmed by the Iraqi Presidency Council in October 2006. She continued: We have confirmed with Iraqi President Talibani's Chief of Staff that the benchmarks were formally approved last fall by the Iraqi Political Committee on National Security. This committee includes the Presidency Council--the President and two Vice Presidents--as well as the leaders of all major political blocs in Iraq. The Iraqi Presidency Council then posted the benchmarks on its website for several months.”