2006年VOA标准英语-UN Envoy: Iraq Not Sliding Toward Civil Wa

By Margaret Besheer
Washington
17 March 2006

The United Nations' special representative for Iraq says he does not believe Iraq is headed toward a civil war despite an escalation¹ in sectarian violence. Ashraf Qazi told an audience in Washington Friday, the two biggest challenges facing Iraq right now are to form an inclusive government and to improve the security situation.

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Ashraf Qazi  
  

"I believe that that prospect² is certainly not there, Alhumdullah - God be praised," he said. "But a very serious situation does exist, which if not addressed could lead to the breakdown³ of law and order, the breakdown of governance, and bring about a situation that would approach anarchy," said Ambassador Qazi, who has been based in Iraq for the last 18 months.

He says Iraq's political leadership and government officials are very aware of the situation and the need for immediate⁴ and long-term measures to avoid such an outcome.

"However, the deeper causes do need to be addressed by the political situation, otherwise the sectarian situation could become as much of a threat to the stability of Iraq as the insurgency⁵ itself, and the two could mesh⁶ together and reinforce each other," he said.

Elected in December, the legislators have yet to form a new government, but the U.N. envoy⁷ was optimistic that a national unity⁸ government would be formed soon.

"Hopefully, if not by the end of this month, then certainly before the end of April, because it's important you have a broad-based effective government to deal with the challenges the country is confronted with," he said.

The envoy welcomed news that the United States and Iran say they are willing to hold direct talks regarding Iraq.

"This is an initiative which has been in the works for some time," he said. "I'm very glad to see Iran has responded positively⁹. Both the United States and Iran have an impact on the situation in Iraq and they have a stake in the outcome of the processes that are under way."

Ambassador Qazi says he does not expect the United Nations will play a direct role in the talks, but says the world body is always ready to facilitate processes if called upon.
 
 

1 escalation   

n.扩大，增加

参考例句：

• The threat of nuclear escalation remains. 核升级的威胁仍旧存在。 来自辞典例句
• Escalation is thus an aspect of deterrence and of crisis management. 因此逐步升级是威慑和危机处理的一个方面。 来自辞典例句

2 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

3 breakdown   

n.垮，衰竭；损坏，故障，倒塌

参考例句：

• She suffered a nervous breakdown.她患神经衰弱。
• The plane had a breakdown in the air,but it was fortunately removed by the ace pilot.飞机在空中发生了故障，但幸运的是被王牌驾驶员排除了。

4 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

5 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

6 mesh   

n.网孔，网丝，陷阱；vt.以网捕捉，啮合，匹配；vi.适合； [计算机]网络

参考例句：

• Their characters just don't mesh.他们的性格就是合不来。
• This is the net having half inch mesh.这是有半英寸网眼的网。

7 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

8 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。

9 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。