Pentagon Still Concerned about Possible Iraqi Use of Weapons

Broadcast: Apr 04, 2003

 

Top defense¹ officials at the Pentagon say they are still concerned that Iraqi troops may use weapons of mass destruction, even though coalition² soldiers have seized Baghdad's international airport and are a short distance from the capital.

Pentagon officials are calling the capture of Baghdad airport "hugely symbolic³" as coalition forces continue their approach to the heart of the Iraqi capital.

Major General Stanley McChrystal says the airport will not be used immediately for air operations, but says the facility is an excellent staging area for a ground attack on Baghdad.

Despite the close proximity⁴ of coalition forces and Baghdad's population of five million people, General McChrystal says there is still concern about the Iraqi use of weapons of mass destruction.

"Logically, now that we are at Baghdad airport they wouldn't use chemical and biological weapons because we are right amongst their population," said Stanley McChrystal. "But they have not fought logically from the beginning, so we in no way discount the possibility that they will."

Pentagon officials say there is still ¹⁾sporadic⁵ fighting around the airport and soldiers are searching buildings and underground facilities to eliminate resistance.

They say coalition forces are focusing on Iraqi leadership sites nearby.

Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke says the "fear and the terror" are starting to evaporate in Iraq and many people are now cheering the arrival of coalition forces.

Ms. Clarke brushed aside reports and appearances on Iraqi television that may ²⁾indicate Saddam Hussein is still alive, saying they are not significant.

"What really matters is not whether or not he is dead or alive, but the fact that whoever is left in this regime, whatever is left of the regime leadership, got up today and realized they have less and less control over their country," said Ms. Clarke. "They have less and less control of just about everything in that country and that is what is significant and what we are focused on is ending the regime."

While it is clear coalition forces have not completely shut down the Iraqi government's ability to broadcast on television, officials here say attacks will continue in an effort to shutdown the transmission network.

Meredith Buel VOA news, the Pentagon.

 

1)    sporadic [spE5rAdik]adj.零星的

2)    indicate [5indikeit]vt. 显示, 象征, 预示

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 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。

3 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

4 proximity   

n.接近，邻近

参考例句：

• Marriages in proximity of blood are forbidden by the law.法律规定禁止近亲结婚。
• Their house is in close proximity to ours.他们的房子很接近我们的。

5 sporadic   

adj.偶尔发生的 [反]regular；分散的

参考例句：

• The sound of sporadic shooting could still be heard.仍能听见零星的枪声。
• You know this better than I.I received only sporadic news about it.你们比我更清楚，而我听到的只是零星消息。