'Libya Can be Important Partner in Fight Against Terrorism',（在线收听）

'Libya Can be Important Partner in Fight Against Terrorism', says Blair

Kerry Sheridan

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Libya can be an important partner in the fight against international terrorism. He spoke after historic meeting with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

The two men shook hands and posed for photographs before going into private talks, marking the first high-level visit between a British and Libyan leader in several decades.

British officials described the meeting as a reward for Libya's decision to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs last year.

Mr. Blair said Mr. Gadhafi, once termed "the mad dog of the Middle East" could now be a partner with the West in the fight against terrorism and Islamic extremism.

"I was particularly struck at our earlier meeting with Colonel Gadhafi by his insistence not only of Libya's determination to carry on down this path of this cooperation but also his recognition that Libya's own future is best secured by a new relationship with the outside world. And the recognition also of a common cause with us in the fight against al-Qaida extremism and terrorism, which threatens not just the Western world, but the Arab world also."

Conservative critics in Britain accused Mr. Blair of poor timing, because the visit took place a day after a large memorial service for the victims of the Madrid train bombing.

That attack was the worst in Europe since the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, which was linked to Libyan terrorists. Libya recently agreed to pay compensation to the victims' families.

Mr. Blair said it is time to move on, but not to forget.

"In reaching out the hand of partnership today, we do not forget the past but we do try in the light of the genuine changes happening to move beyond them."

Mr. Blair also announced that a major defense deal with Libya is in the works.

注释：

Prime Minister总理，首相

Tony Blair 托尼·布莱尔，英国首相，2001年6月在大选中获胜连任首相，成为英国历史上首位连任的工党首相。

Libya [5libiE] n. 利比亚，北非的一个国家，位于地中海沿岸。

pose [pEuz] vi. 摆姿势

Islamic [Iz5lAmIk] adj. 伊斯兰的，伊斯兰教的

extremism [iks5tri:mizEm] n. 极端主义

al-Qaida  基地组织

accuse [E5kju:z] vt. 谴责，非难

Madrid [mE5drid] n. 马德里，西班牙的首都和最大城市，位于中央高原托莱多的东北偏北方向。

Lockerbie 洛克比，苏格兰一小镇

compensation [kCmpen5seiFEn] n. 补偿，赔偿