2006年VOA标准英语-Bush: Iraqis Have Taken a 'Step Back' From

By Scott Stearns
White House
10 March 2006

President Bush says Iraq has taken a step back from deeper sectarian violence that followed the bombing of a sacred Shi'ite shrine¹.  The president plans a series of speeches meant to reassure² Americans about his strategy for success in Iraq.

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George Bush 
  

President Bush says the sectarian violence that followed last month's bombing of a sacred shrine in Samara has mostly subsided³, with relative calm in 16 of Iraq's 18 provinces.

"No question there was violence and killing," he said.  "The society took a step back from the abyss, and people took a sober reflection about what a civil war would mean."

The president praised the work of Iraqi security forces and religious leaders in calming retaliatory⁴ attacks following the mosque⁵ bombing.

Mr. Bush was briefed by U.S. commanders in Iraq Friday morning, and said he is hopeful about President Jalal Talabani's plans to hold the first session of a new parliament on March 19.

"One of the keys is going to be to get a unity⁶ government up and running, a government that reflects the diversity of the country," said Mr. Bush.  "We talked about that today. We want the Iraqis to make that selection, of course. They are the ones who got elected by the people. They are the ones who must form the government, but we are going to continue to remind them that the sooner they can get a unity government up and running, the more confidence the people will have in their future."

Iraqi soldiers patrol Baghdad, Friday  
  
White House Spokesman Scott McClellan says President Bush plans a series of speeches this month meant to keep Americans informed about his strategy for success in Iraq.

Public opinion polls show falling support for the president's handling of that conflict.

McClellan says Vice⁷ President Dick Cheney, Defense⁸ Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will also take part in the public outreach.

Asked how this series of speeches on the administration's political, military and economic plans for success in Iraq will differ from a similar campaign at the end of last year, McClellan noted⁹ the third anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein is approaching.

1 shrine   

n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣

参考例句：

• The shrine was an object of pilgrimage.这处圣地是人们朝圣的目的地。
• They bowed down before the shrine.他们在神龛前鞠躬示敬。

2 reassure   

v.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点，于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。
• The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。

3 subsided   

v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上

参考例句：

• After the heavy rains part of the road subsided. 大雨过后，部分公路塌陷了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• By evening the storm had subsided and all was quiet again. 傍晚， 暴风雨已经过去，四周开始沉寂下来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 retaliatory   

adj.报复的

参考例句：

• The process can take years before the WTO approves retaliatory action. 在WTO通过此行动之前，这个程序恐怕要等上一阵子了。 来自互联网
• Retaliatory tariffs on China are tantamount to taxing ourselves as a punishment. 将惩罚性关税强加于中国相当于对我们自己实施课税惩罚。 来自互联网

5 mosque   

n.清真寺

参考例句：

• The mosque is a activity site and culture center of Muslim religion.清真寺为穆斯林宗教活动场所和文化中心。
• Some years ago the clock in the tower of the mosque got out of order.几年前，清真寺钟楼里的大钟失灵了。

6 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

7 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

8 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。

9 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。