2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Cites Progress in Iraq, Afghanistan

By Paula Wolfson
White House
04 January 2006

President Bush is hailing progress in the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, while warning that patience will be needed as these two countries build functioning democracies and security forces.

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From right: President George Bush, Vice¹ President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense² Donald Rumsfeld
  

After a briefing at the Pentagon from top military officers, President Bush put the focus on the positive.

He made no promises, but spoke³ of troop withdrawals⁴ in both Iraq and Afghanistan as conditions warrant.

Mr. Bush stressed once again that his decisions will be driven by the situation on the ground and not by domestic political consideration. He noted⁵ that in Iraq, U.S. force levels are now several thousand below the 138,000 baseline that existed before last month's national election.

"Later this year if Iraqis continue to make progress on the security and political sides that we expect, we can discuss further possible adjustments," he said.

The president said challenges remain as Iraq's leaders go about the process of building a new government. He spoke of the delicate balancing act they face in creating a government that is unified⁶ and inclusive. And while he praised efforts to train a new Iraqi military, he made clear the national police force needs more work. Mr. Bush said police abuses are unacceptable and action is being taken to prevent them from occurring.

"We are going to work with the Iraqi government to increase the training Iraqi police recruits receive in human rights and the rule of law so they understand the role of police in a democratic society," he said.

President Bush called Iraq and Afghanistan the two leading fronts in the global war on terror. He said like the Iraqis, Afghans are on the road to a democratic society. He said Afghan troops have fared well in battle, according to U.S. military commanders. And he noted that international forces are taking over more and more of the security duties in Afghanistan, enabling the United States to reduce some troop levels.

"As NATO takes on a larger role in Afghanistan and as the capability⁷ of Afghan forces continues to grow, the United States will reduce force levels in Afghanistan from 19,000 to 16,500 this year," the president said.

The president went on to stress, however, that U.S. special forces will not be leaving and will continue their hunt in Afghanistan for al-Qaida leaders and remnants of the ousted⁸ Taleban regime.

1 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

2 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。

3 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。

4 withdrawals   

n.收回，取回，撤回( withdrawal的名词复数 )；撤退，撤走；收回[取回，撤回，撤退，撤走]的实例；推出（组织），提走（存款），戒除毒瘾，对说过的话收回，孤僻

参考例句：

• He has made several withdrawals from his bank account. 他从银行账户上提了几次款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It is not the bank's policy to deduct interest on withdrawals. 提款需扣除利息这并非是本银行的政策。 来自辞典例句

5 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。

6 unified   

(unify 的过去式和过去分词)； 统一的； 统一标准的； 一元化的

参考例句：

• The teacher unified the answer of her pupil with hers. 老师核对了学生的答案。
• The First Emperor of Qin unified China in 221 B.C. 秦始皇于公元前221年统一中国。

7 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

8 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。