2006年VOA标准英语-Britain's PM Agrees, War in Iraq Not Being Won

By Tom Rivers
London
06 December 2006

In remarks Wednesday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair agreed with U.S. Defense¹ Secretary nominee² Robert Gates that the war in Iraq is not being won. For VOA News, Tom Rivers reports from London.

Tony Blair (6 Dec 2006)

During his weekly question time session in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Blair was asked if he agreed with the assessment³ made Tuesday by Defense Secretary nominee Robert Gates that the U.S.-led coalition⁴ was not winning the war in Iraq.

"Of course. In July, I said myself that the situation in Baghdad with sectarian killing⁵ was appalling⁶ and that the bloodshed was appalling," he said. "And what is important, however, is he went on to say that we do go on to succeed in the mission that we have set ourselves."

In a heated exchange in parliament, the leader the Liberal Democrats⁷, Menzies Campbell, chided Mr. Blair for, in his view, not having an independent view on Iraq separate from the stance of the U.S. administration.

He said, "Let me say this to the prime minister, isn't it clear that the British government has no policy of its own in relation to Iraq and that we are wholly dependent upon the decisions taken in Washington? What sort of strategy is that and what sort of legacy⁸ is that?"

"It is precisely⁹ because we believe in supporting the Iraqi government that has asked for our presence down in the south of Iraq in order to make sure that we protect Iraqi people until the Iraqis have the capability¹⁰ to do that we remain in Iraq," said Blair.  

"As progressively the Iraqis are capable of taking on their own security, as now they are doing in two out of the four provinces and in one-half of Basra and now we are completing the mission in the other half of Basra, then the need for British troops diminishes," he continued.

But Mr. Blair did not focus all his attention on Iraq. He said renewed attention must now be focused on the Israel-Palestinian problem that he believes is a major factor behind the frustration¹¹ and anger felt throughout the Middle East.

The prime minister will hold talks with President Bush Thursday in Washington. The key topic will be the Iraq Study Group recommendations and possible policy changes.

Mr. Blair has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with President Bush over Iraq and Britain has been the most important ally of the U.S. there.

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 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

3 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

4 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。

5 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。

6 appalling   

adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的

参考例句：

• The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions.恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。
• Nothing can extenuate such appalling behaviour.这种骇人听闻的行径罪无可恕。

7 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

9 precisely   

adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地

参考例句：

• It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
• The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。

10 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。

11 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。