2006年VOA标准英语-US Ambassador: Success Still Possible in Iraq

By Benjamin Sand
Irbil, Iraq
24 October 2006

The U.S. ambassador to Baghdad says success "within a realistic timetable" is still possible in Iraq despite surging sectarian violence.  Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad spoke¹ during a rare joint² news conference in Baghdad with U.S. military commander General George Casey.

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The comments come as the United States is under growing pressure to change course in Iraq and tackle the growing violence here.

Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters in Baghdad Tuesday the United States has been adjusting its strategy in Iraq and would redouble its efforts to succeed.

 
Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad  
  
"Iraqi leaders must step up to achieve key political and security milestones³ on which they have agreed. As they take these steps, which can produce success and bring about Iraqi self reliance, we must continue to support them," he said.

He said the United States will help Iraqi officials disarm⁴ Sunni insurgents⁶ and ease sectarian tensions.

Few details or specific benchmarks emerged during the news conference.

U.S. military commander General George Casey said Iraqi security forces could be ready to take over the entire country within 12 to 18 months.

General George Casey, left, and US Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad answer questions during press conference  
  
"I still strongly believe that we need to continue to reduce our forces as the Iraqis continue to improve because we need to get out of their way," he said.  "The Iraqis are getting better, their leaders are feeling more responsible for the security in Iraq and they want to take the reins⁷."

General Casey described the situation in Iraq as both difficult and complex. 

He said around 90 percent of the sectarian violence remains⁸ confined to small 30-mile radius⁹ around the capital Baghdad.

He also stressed, U.S. forces are constantly adjusting their tactics to stay ahead of evolving conditions on the ground.

He said success will ultimately depend on a joint military and political solution in Iraq.

Both men accused Iran and Syria of helping¹⁰ fuel the violence in Iraq.

This has been one of the deadliest months in Iraq in over a year. Both sectarian and insurgent⁵ violence has surged in recent weeks.  At least 87 U.S. troops have been killed in October.

On Tuesday, U.S. forces in Baghdad conducted sweeping¹¹ raids throughout the day after an American soldier went missing. There are mounting concerns the Iraqi-American translator may have been kidnapped.

1 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。

2 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。

3 milestones   

n.重要事件( milestone的名词复数 )；重要阶段；转折点；里程碑

参考例句：

• Several important milestones in foreign policy have been passed by this Congress and they can be chalked up as major accomplishments. 这次代表大会通过了对外政策中几起划时代的事件，并且它们可作为主要成就记录下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Dale: I really envy your milestones over the last few years, Don. 我真的很羡慕你在过去几年中所建立的丰功伟绩。 来自互联网

4 disarm   

v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和

参考例句：

• The world has waited 12 years for Iraq to disarm. 全世界等待伊拉克解除武装已有12年之久。
• He has rejected every peaceful opportunity offered to him to disarm.他已经拒绝了所有能和平缴械的机会。

5 insurgent   

adj.叛乱的，起事的；n.叛乱分子

参考例句：

• Faruk says they are threatened both by insurgent and government forces.法鲁克说，他们受到暴乱分子和政府军队的双重威胁。
• The insurgent mob assembled at the gate of the city park.叛变的暴徒聚在市立公园的门口。

6 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

7 reins   

感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带

参考例句：

• She pulled gently on the reins. 她轻轻地拉着缰绳。
• The government has imposed strict reins on the import of luxury goods. 政府对奢侈品的进口有严格的控制手段。

8 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

9 radius   

n.半径，半径范围；有效航程，范围，界限

参考例句：

• He has visited every shop within a radius of two miles.周围两英里以内的店铺他都去过。
• We are measuring the radius of the circle.我们正在测量圆的半径。

10 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

11 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？