IN THE NEWS - Bush Describes Second-Term Goals

IN THE NEWS - Bush Describes Second-Term Goals
By Cynthia Kirk

Broadcast: Saturday, November 06, 2004

Mister Bush said American forces are making progress in training Iraqi troops. He said one hundred twenty-five thousand should be trained in time for elections in Iraq. Voting is planned at the end of January.

Iraq's temporary prime minister, Iyad Allawi, joined a meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels Friday. He received promises of close to forty million dollars in technical aid for the elections. The Europeans also offered other steps, including more money to protect United Nations aid workers.

Diplomats¹ told VOA's Roger Wilkison that the European Union is trying to repair relations with the United States following the election. Almost half the members opposed the American-led invasion of Iraq.

President Bush also discussed other issues when he spoke² to reporters Thursday. He promised to work to simplify American tax laws and to strengthen the Social Security system for retired³ workers. He said tax reform will help make sure the American economy is the most competitive in the world.

The president also called on Congress to pass an intelligence reform law. And he said he would also continue to work on education issues and supporting legal reform legislation.

Mister Bush offered to work with his opponents. But he made clear that he has enough political support to fight for his positions. Republicans strengthened their control of Congress in the general elections Tuesday. Democrats⁴ in the Senate, however, still have enough votes to block legislation.

The president said there will be some cabinet changes, but added that he did not know who they will be. Media reports this week said Attorney General John Ashcroft is likely to resign soon.

Mister Bush in his new term may also have to name one or more new justices of the Supreme⁵ Court. He said he would appoint judges who do not let personal opinion interfere⁶ with understanding the law. Five of the nine current members often vote as a conservative majority. They include Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who is being treated for thyroid cancer.

President Bush will be sworn-in for his second term on January twentieth. He won fifty-one percent of the popular vote. Democratic Senator John Kerry received forty-eight percent. Senator Kerry called for unity⁷ and national healing. But he said Democrats will continue to fight for issues such as job growth, health care and the environment.

In the News, in VOA Special English, was written by Cynthia Kirk. This is Steve Ember.

1 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

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 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

4 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

6 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

7 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。