2006年VOA标准英语-Blair Urges Australia to 'Tough It Out' in

By Heda Bayron
Hong Kong
27 March 2006

Visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair called on Australia Monday to remain steadfast¹ in its commitment in Iraq as Australian opposition² leaders push for the soonest possible return of troops stationed in the country.

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British Prime Minister Tony Blair addresses the opening session of the Australia-UK Leadership Forum³ in Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Monday, March 27, 2006  
  

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in a key foreign policy speech before the Australian parliament Monday, said that now is not the time to disengage from the conflict in Iraq. He called on Australia - a key ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorism - to "tough it out".

"This is not the time to walk away," said Mr. Blair. "This is the time for courage to see it through."

Australia's main opposition Labor⁴ Party is urging the government of Prime Minister John Howard to bring home 900 Australian troops in Iraq by May. Australia and Britain were the only nations to send troops to join the U.S. invasion of Iraq three years ago and still have forces there.

The opposition's call comes as rising violence in the country is raising fears of an Iraqi civil war.

In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Blair said that the insurgency⁵ in Iraq has failed to undermine Iraqis' desire for democracy.

"What has happened with this terrorism and insurgency is that it's tried to derail the political process and has failed so it's now turning to try to create sectarian strife," he said. "But it's not what the people want. What they want is a functioning democracy."

In his speech, Mr. Blair also said that Australia, Britain, the United States and their allies must win not just the "battle of arms" but also one of global democratic values - which he defined as fairness, justice and freedom.

"Wherever people live in fear, with no prospect⁶ of advance, we should be on their side in solidarity⁷ with them," said Mr. Blair.

He said while Iraq and Afghanistan are the key battlegrounds, the world must also pay attention to the same struggle elsewhere - in Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burma and North Korea.

Addressing anti-American feeling in parts of the world, the British leader warned that this battle for global values could not be won if the United States retreated into isolationism.

Mr. Blair, who received a standing⁸ ovation⁹ from Australian lawmakers, arrived in Australia Saturday and will visit New Zealand and Indonesia later this week.

1 steadfast   

adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的

参考例句：

• Her steadfast belief never left her for one moment.她坚定的信仰从未动摇过。
• He succeeded in his studies by dint of steadfast application.由于坚持不懈的努力他获得了学业上的成功。

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

4 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

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 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。

7 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

8 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

9 ovation   

n.欢呼，热烈欢迎，热烈鼓掌

参考例句：

• The hero received a great ovation from the crowd. 那位英雄受到人群的热烈欢迎。
• The show won a standing ovation. 这场演出赢得全场起立鼓掌。