U.S. President George Bush has met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani at the White House. The outlook for an agreement on the future nature of the American presence in Iraq was among the many issues discussed.
美国总统布什在白宫会见了伊拉克总统塔拉巴尼。两国领导人在会谈中讨论了许多议题，包括双方对美国今后驻伊拉克军队的地位达成一项协议的看法。
The focus was on the positive as the two men met briefly with reporters at the end of their formal talks.
两位领导人在结束正式会谈之后举行了简短的记者会，他们在记者会上的说话以正面内容为主。
President Bush cited progress in Iraq.
布什总统列举了在伊拉克取得的进展。
"I complimented the president on the fact that as security has improved he and his fellow officials are reaching out to all aspects of society to help people realize the blessings of a free life," he said.
布什总统说：“我向塔拉巴尼总统表示祝贺，事实是，随着伊拉克安全的改善，总统先生和他的同事们把工作延伸到了社会的各个方面，帮助人民获得美好的自由生活。”
Mr. Bush acknowledged there is still a lot of work to be done. He made specific mention of ongoing negotiations on a strategic framework agreement between the United States and Baghdad that will allow U.S. forces to remain in Iraq after the end of the year, when their United Nations mandate expires.
布什承认，伊拉克还有大量工作要做。他特别提到美国跟巴格达就一项战略框架协议正在进行的磋商，根据这项协议，美国军队得以在今年年底之后继续留在伊拉克，而联合国允许美军驻扎伊拉克的授权年底到期。
He said the agreement must "suit" the Iraqi government.
布什说，这项协议必须让伊拉克政府满意。
President Talabani said he hopes a deal can be reached soon.
塔拉巴尼总统表示，他希望能够很快达成协议。
"We are doing our best for this strategic agreement with the United States of America. I think we have very good important steps towards reaching and finalizing this agreement," he said.
塔拉巴尼说：“我们正在尽最大努力争取跟美利坚合众国达成这项战略协议。我认为，我们为努力达成和敲定这项协议都采取了非常重要的步骤。”
The Iraqi president said the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is also focusing on getting important laws dealing with oil and elections through the legislature. He stressed fostering national unity remains a priority.
塔拉巴尼表示，伊拉克总理马利基领导的政府也在集中精力通过立法程序，制定跟石油和选举有关的重要法律。塔拉巴尼强调，促进国家的团结统一仍然是优先解决的大事。
"I can say we are proud to achieve good successes in Iraq. Our economy is growing and we have also big steps forward for national reconciliation," he added.
塔拉巴尼说：“我可以说，我们为伊拉克取得的成就感到自豪。我们的经济正在增长，我们在实现全国和解方面也取得了重要进展。”
President Talabani also mentioned Iraq's efforts to improve relations with all its neighbors, including Iran and Syria. The Bush administration has cautioned that Tehran and Damascus foster terrorism in the region, but has said repeatedly it will not stand in the way of regional diplomacy by Iraq.
塔拉巴尼总统还提到伊拉克跟包括伊朗和叙利亚在内的所有邻国改善关系的努力。布什政府告诫说，德黑兰和大马士革扶植该地区的恐怖主义，同时也反复强调，这不会妨碍伊拉克在这个地区的外交努力。
The meeting with Jalal Talabani was a late addition to President Bush's schedule, and was only announced on the eve of the session at the White House. President Talabani has reportedly been in the United States undergoing medical treatment.
布什跟塔拉巴尼的会谈很晚才加进布什的日程表，并于两人在白宫举行这次会谈之前刚刚宣布。有报道说，塔拉巴尼总统到美国接受治疗。 |