2006年VOA标准英语-US Defense Chief Preparing Iraq Report for Bush

By Margaret Besheer
Baghdad
22 December 2006

New U.S. Defense¹ Secretary Robert Gates says he is preparing to give President Bush an assessment² of the situation in Iraq based on his meetings with U.S. military and Iraqi leaders in Baghdad. Gates wrapped up a three-day trip to Iraq on Friday, but did not say whether he would recommend a short-term increase in U.S. troop levels to help stem growing sectarian violence. From the Iraqi capital, VOA's Margaret Besheer has more.

Robert Gates, left, and Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qadir during their meeting in Baghdad, 21 Dec 2006

Secretary Gates told reporters he hopes to give President Bush a report in the next few days on what he learned during his meetings with Iraqi officials and U.S. military commanders here.

But he declined to reveal whether he will recommend a temporary increase in U.S. troop levels to the president.

"We've talked with the Iraqis about the best path forward in terms of improving the security situation here in Baghdad," he said. "I think we have a broad strategic agreement between the Iraqi military and Iraqi government and our military. Clearly there are more discussions that need to take place in Washington and more specific recommendations."

There are currently 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, and the president is considering whether to send as many as 30,000 more to help quell³ sectarian fighting in Baghdad and the western al-Anbar province. Mr. Bush has said he is waiting for recommendations from Secretary Gates and other advisors⁴ before making that decision. No announcement is expected before early January.

Secretary Gates acknowledged that the road ahead is not an easy one, but said things are moving in a positive direction.

"Will the way forward probably be difficult? Probably," he said. "This is a very difficult situation. But I think, I believe, based on what I've heard and seen both from the American commanders and from the Iraqis that things are moving in a positive direction. But it's still, it's going to be a long haul."

 

American patience with the war in Iraq has been waning⁵, particularly as U.S. casualties mount. The U.S. military said Friday that three more Marines and one U.S. sailor were killed Thursday in the volatile⁶ al-Anbar province, bringing to 76 the number of American troops killed this month. More than 2,900 U.S. military personnel have been killed since the war began in 2003.

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 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？

3 quell   

v.压制，平息，减轻

参考例句：

• Soldiers were sent in to quell the riots.士兵们被派去平息骚乱。
• The armed force had to be called out to quell violence.不得不出动军队来镇压暴力行动。

4 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

5 waning   

adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡

参考例句：

• Her enthusiasm for the whole idea was waning rapidly. 她对整个想法的热情迅速冷淡了下来。
• The day is waning and the road is ending. 日暮途穷。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。