2006年VOA标准英语-Pentagon says More Iraqi Forces Able to Fi

By Purnell Murdock
Washington
25 February 2006

 
Iraqi forces of the 3rd Brigade, 1st division, march during a ceremony
  
The U.S. Defense¹ Department says the number of Iraqi security forces capable of battling insurgents² has increased, but that none are able to fight without U.S. assistance.

-----------------------------------------------

In its quarterly report to Congress on the situation in Iraq, the Pentagon says the number of Iraqi battalions³ capable of leading in battle, with U.S. troops in a supporting role, has grown by nearly 50 percent in the last three months, from 36 units to 53.  It adds that the number actually engaged in combat is up 11 percent.

But Pentagon officials say the number of battalions able to operate without U.S. help has fallen to zero.  Last year, three battalions were said to be able to fight independently.

Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant-Commander Joe Carpenter downplayed the significance of the development, saying no one particular factor contributed to the downgrade.  He says what is important is that more Iraqi forces are in the fight against the insurgents.

"The pre-occupation with Level One forces going from one to zero really ignores the entire fact that Iraqi forces have assumed more battle space, more geographic⁴, day-to-day responsibility for security," said Carpenter.  "And it ignores the fact that the Ministry⁵ of Defense and police forces have not only increased in number, they have increased in capability⁶."

U.S. military officials say their short-term goal is to train more Iraqi units to a level where they can lead the fight.  That, they say, would allow American troops to focus on other tasks besides combat, and possibly reduce U.S. casualties.

Pentagon leaders have pegged⁷ future U.S. troop withdrawals⁸ to the ability of Iraqi forces to assume responsibility for security.

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 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

3 battalions   

n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍

参考例句：

• God is always on the side of the strongest battalions. 上帝总是帮助强者。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Two battalions were disposed for an attack on the air base. 配置两个营的兵力进攻空军基地。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 geographic   

adj.地理学的，地理的

参考例句：

• The city's success owes much to its geographic position. 这座城市的成功很大程度上归功于它的地理位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Environmental problems pay no heed to these geographic lines. 环境问题并不理会这些地理界限。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

5 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

6 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。

7 pegged   

v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的过去式和过去分词 )；使固定在某水平

参考例句：

• They pegged their tent down. 他们钉好了账篷。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She pegged down the stairs. 她急忙下楼。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

8 withdrawals   

n.收回，取回，撤回( withdrawal的名词复数 )；撤退，撤走；收回[取回，撤回，撤退，撤走]的实例；推出（组织），提走（存款），戒除毒瘾，对说过的话收回，孤僻

参考例句：

• He has made several withdrawals from his bank account. 他从银行账户上提了几次款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It is not the bank's policy to deduct interest on withdrawals. 提款需扣除利息这并非是本银行的政策。 来自辞典例句