2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Backs Inquiry into Hariri Assassinati

By Scott Stearns
White House
27 January 2006

President Bush says he expects a full investigation¹ into last year's assassination² of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Pressure from the United States and France following that killing³ forced Syria to withdraw troops and intelligence officials from neighboring Lebanon. Mr. Bush Friday met with the former prime minister's son in the Oval Office.

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Saad Hariri (l) and George W. Bush  
  

President Bush welcomed Lebanese member of parliament Saad Hariri to the White House, for what he called an interesting and important discussion of their mutual⁴ desire to see Lebanon chart its own political course free from Syrian intimidation⁵.

Mr. Bush repeated calls for a full United Nations investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assassination of the elder Hariri who was an outspoken⁶ opponent of Syrian occupation.

"It's very important for the investigation into your dad's death to go forward," said President Bush. "We expect there to be a full and firm investigation and the people who were responsible for your dad's death need to be held to account."

Investigators⁷ have reported difficulties interviewing some senior Syrian officials believed involved in the massive car bombing last February. That investigation continues with Damascus allowing some officials to be interviewed in Europe.

President Bush praised Lebanon's pro-democracy forces, saying it is U.S. priority to see the country free from foreign influence.

"It will be very important for the region for Lebanon's democracy to be able to reach its full potential," he said. "And there is no doubt in my mind that with the focused effort of the free world reminding Syria to uphold U.N. Resolution 1559, we will be able to achieve that objective."

President Bush says he supports Hariri's efforts to organize a donor⁸ conference for Lebanon. Hariri, who leads a party with the majority of seats in the Lebanese parliament, says he met with International Monetary⁹ Fund officials during this visit to Washington.

He says IMF officials agreed to send a team to Lebanon February 7 to begin planning for the donor conference.

1 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

2 assassination   

n.暗杀；暗杀事件

参考例句：

• The assassination of the president brought matters to a head.总统遭暗杀使事态到了严重关头。
• Lincoln's assassination in 1865 shocked the whole nation.1865年，林肯遇刺事件震惊全美国。

3 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

4 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

5 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。

6 outspoken   

adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的

参考例句：

• He was outspoken in his criticism.他在批评中直言不讳。
• She is an outspoken critic of the school system in this city.她是这座城市里学校制度的坦率的批评者。

7 investigators   

n.调查者，审查者( investigator的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This memo could be the smoking gun that investigators have been looking for. 这份备忘录可能是调查人员一直在寻找的证据。
• The team consisted of six investigators and two secretaries. 这个团队由六个调查人员和两个秘书组成。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 donor   

n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体

参考例句：

• In these cases,the recipient usually takes care of the donor afterwards.在这类情况下，接受捐献者以后通常会照顾捐赠者。
• The Doctor transplanted the donor's heart to Mike's chest cavity.医生将捐赠者的心脏移植进麦克的胸腔。

9 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。