IN THE NEWS - Bush's State of the Union

IN THE NEWS
–
February 2, 2002: Bush’s State of the Union

By Caty Weaver¹

This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English program, IN THE NEWS.

On Tuesday, President Bush gave his first State of the Union speech. He spoke² at the Capitol Building before a
joint³ meeting of Congress.

Mister Bush mainly discussed terrorism and security issues. He praised the United States armed forces early in
his speech. He said he sent American soldiers to Afghanistan with complete belief in their bravery and skill. He
said the United States was winning the war on terror thanks to them.

But, Mister Bush said there are still thousands of terrorists around the world. He said they see the world as a
battlefield.

President Bush said the United States has two main goals in its fight against terrorism. He said the first is to close
terrorist training camps, block terrorist plans and bring terrorists to justice.

Mister Bush said the United States already is working toward that goal in Afghanistan and other places. He noted⁴
the American troops are in the Philippines to help train its soldiers to fight terrorism. He also said American
Navy ships are sailing along the coast of Africa to stop weapons shipments and prevent the establishment of
terrorist camps in Somalia.

Mister Bush said the second goal is to stop threats to the United States and the world from terrorists and
governments that seek chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. He accused North Korea, Iran and Iraq of such
actions. He said they are a group of evil governments.

The American leader said North Korea was arming with missiles and weapons of major destruction while
starving its citizens. He said Iran seeks such weapons and exports terror. And he said Iraq has plotted to develop
biological, chemical and nuclear weapons for more than ten years.

Mister Bush said the United States would work with its coalition⁵ to stop terrorists and nations that support them
from building such weapons. He also said his government would continue with plans for effective missile
defenses to protect itself and its allies.

President Bush is a Republican. House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt gave the Democratic Party’s answer to
the speech. He said his party supports the war on terror. However, Mister Gephardt said that support does not
mean the party will agree to all Mister Bush’s economic plans.

Iran, Iraq and North Korea strongly rejected Mister Bush’s statement that they are evil nations. The Iranian
Foreign Minister protested by cancelling his plans to attend a world economic meeting in New York. China said
such statements do not solve international problems.

American officials said later that Mister Bush was not suggesting any new military action was about to happen.
They said the United States is still open to talks with Iran and North Korea. But, officials said there will be no
talks with Iraq until it permits the return of international weapons inspectors⁶.

This VOA Special English program, IN THE NEWS, was written by Caty Weaver. This is Steve Ember.

Email this article to a friend
Printer Friendly Version

1 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

6 inspectors   

n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官

参考例句：

• They got into the school in the guise of inspectors. 他们假装成视察员进了学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Inspectors checked that there was adequate ventilation. 检查员已检查过，通风良好。 来自《简明英汉词典》