2006年VOA标准英语-Rumsfeld Acknowledges Iraq Shortcomings

By Al Pessin
Pentagon
09 November 2006

U.S. Defense¹ Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has acknowledged that things have not gone well recently in Iraq.  Wednesday, President Bush announced Rumsfeld would leave the administration in the wake of the Republican party's defeat in congressional elections - a defeat opinion polls indicate was based largely on Iraq policy.  

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		Donald Rumsfeld speaks at Kansas State University, Nov. 9, 2006

Secretary Rumsfeld spoke² at a previously-scheduled event in the midwestern state of Kansas, where a member of the audience asked him about the situation in Iraq.

"It is very clear that the major combat operations were an enormous success.  It is clear that in phase two of this it has not been going well enough or fast enough," Rumsfeld said.

But Secretary Rumsfeld also said much has been accomplished³ in Iraq, and he said his successor will have to continue to make adjustments and persevere⁴ to help the new Iraqi government and security forces achieve self-sufficiency.

He said one key element in the broader war on terrorism is the need for the United States to help other countries build their abilities to fight violent extremists.

"Today's war against a global enemy requires first and foremost that we enable our friends and allies especially those in the Muslim world to confront and defeat the extremists within their own borders and on their own airwaves," he said.

The secretary said some of the best people in the U.S. military will have to become advisors⁵ to foreign militaries, and that "there is perhaps no more important mission" for the U.S. military to perform.  He says that is already happening, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

On Thursday, Rumsfeld visited a U.S. Army fort in Kansas where some of those trainers are themselves being trained for their new jobs.

The otherwise-routine appearance by Secretary Rumsfeld was colored by the announcement the day before that he will soon end his long tenure⁶ at the defense department. 

Introducing the secretary, the former top U.S. military officer, retired⁷ General Richard Myers, disputed claims by some that Secretary Rumsfeld ignored military advice in planning the invasion and occupation of Iraq.  The secretary has been sharply criticized by many former service members, and by some still on active duty.

In his speech, Secretary Rumsfeld made a point of praising U.S. troops several times, and he appeared particularly moved by the applause he received from the crowd of soldiers, students and teachers at Kansas State University.

"Thank you very much folks.  I really appreciate that very warm welcome that you have given me," he said.

A Pentagon spokesman says business is continuing as usual in the department, and that Secretary Rumsfeld is exercising his full authority.  But the spokesman, Bryan Whitman, says the secretary touched many people in the huge department and that no one is able "to check their feelings at the door" on this day after the announcement that he will be leaving.

That statement undoubtedly⁸ applies equally to those who are sorry to see him go, and those who are not.  

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 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 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

4 persevere   

v.坚持，坚忍，不屈不挠

参考例句：

• They are determined to persevere in the fight.他们决心坚持战斗。
• It is strength of character enabled him to persevere.他那坚强的性格使他能够坚持不懈。

5 advisors   

n.顾问，劝告者( advisor的名词复数 )；（指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• The governors felt that they were being strung along by their advisors. 地方长官感到他们一直在受顾问们的愚弄。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• We will consult together with advisors about her education. 我们将一起和专家商议她的教育事宜。 来自互联网

6 tenure   

n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期

参考例句：

• He remained popular throughout his tenure of the office of mayor.他在担任市长的整个任期内都深得民心。
• Land tenure is a leading political issue in many parts of the world.土地的保有权在世界很多地区是主要的政治问题。

7 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。

8 undoubtedly   

adv.确实地，无疑地

参考例句：

• It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
• He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。