2006年VOA标准英语-War on Terror Dominates Bush-Howard Summit

By Paula Wolfson
White House
16 May 2006

President Bush met Tuesday at the White House with one of his closest allies in the war on terror - Australian Prime Minister John Howard. The talks focused on a wide range of topics, including Indonesia's role in combating terrorism.

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George Bush and John Howard pause during arrival ceremony on South Lawn of the White House  
  

The two men had a wide ranging agenda for their talks. But in their public comments, they focused on one overriding¹ theme: the importance of combating terrorism.

"I admire John Howard's understanding that the war on terror still goes on and that we have got to be steadfast² and firm if we intend to succeed," he said.

At a joint³ news conference after their talks, President Bush called Prime Minister Howard a friend and a good strategic thinker. The Australian leader said the battle against terror will require persistence⁴.

"The war against terror will go on for a long time," he said. "I think we have to accept that. Progress is being made, but the challenge remains⁵ very, very strong."

Mr. Howard said he discussed the unique challenges in his region with the president. He said he highlighted the importance of Indonesia - the world's most populous⁶ Muslim nation.

"The success and prosperity of moderate Islamic leadership in that country is itself a very important factor in the long term success of the fight against terrorism," he said.

He said the fight against terrorism is not just a military battle, but an intellectual one. He said providing the Islamic world with a successful democratic model as an alternative to fanaticism⁷ is key.

1 overriding   

a.最主要的

参考例句：

• Development is of overriding importance. 发展是硬道理
• My overriding concern is to raise the standards of state education. 我最关心的是提高国民教育水平。

2 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。

3 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

4 persistence   

n.坚持，持续，存留

参考例句：

• The persistence of a cough in his daughter puzzled him.他女儿持续的咳嗽把他难住了。
• He achieved success through dogged persistence.他靠着坚持不懈取得了成功。

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

6 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。

7 fanaticism   

n.狂热，盲信

参考例句：

• Your fanaticism followed the girl is wrong. 你对那个女孩的狂热是错误的。
• All of Goebbels's speeches sounded the note of stereotyped fanaticism. 戈培尔的演讲，千篇一律，无非狂热二字。