2006年VOA标准英语-Bush, Blair Pledge Continued Backing for Iraqi

By Michael Bowman
Washington
25 May 2006

Tony Blair (left) and President Bush   
  
President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have hailed Iraq's achievement of democratic rule and urged resolve in the face of continued sectarian violence in the country. The two leaders said U.S. and British troops will remain in Iraq until its new unity¹ government is able to stand on its own.

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Appearing alongside Prime Minister Blair in an hour-long news conference, President Bush said Iraq's nascent² democracy deserves the backing of the United States and the international community. "The formation of a new government represents a new beginning for Iraq, and a new beginning for the relationship between Iraq and our coalition³. The United States and Great Britain will work together to help this new democracy succeed," he said.

President Bush acknowledged that continued bloodshed in Iraq has created what he described as "consternation⁴" in the United States, and said he regretted abuses committed by U.S. forces at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison. But he said the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, though controversial, was the right decision -- and that militants⁵ and terrorists, whom he branded "Islamic fascists," must not be allowed to turn Iraq into a staging ground for attacks against the free world.

Prime Minister Blair picked up on that theme, saying talks he held with Iraqi leaders during his recent visit to Baghdad made him aware of grim realities in the country, but left him convinced that the international coalition must persevere⁶. "I came away thinking that the challenge is still immense [in Iraq]. But I also came away more certain than ever that we should rise to it," he said.

Mr. Blair said, in talks with Iraq's new leaders, not once did anyone call for an immediate⁷ withdrawal⁸ of coalition troops. Both he and President Bush said their nation's forces will remain in Iraq as long as their presence is required as determined⁹ by commanders on the ground.

Prime Minister Blair urged the international community to rally behind Iraq's democratic government. He said now is the time to speak of Iraq's future, and to set aside debates about the merits of the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. "Whatever people's views about the wisdom of that decision, now that there is a democratic government in Iraq, elected by its people, and now [that] they are confronted by those whose mission it is to destroy the hope of democracy, then our sense of mission should be equal to that," he said.

The two leaders were asked about Iran's nuclear program. President Bush said it is Iran that has cut off negotiations¹⁰ on the subject, and that Iran must change its stance before the international community can consider offering a package of incentives¹¹ for Tehran to halt its nuclear activities. "The Iranians walked away from the [negotiating] table. They are the ones that made the decision, and the choice is theirs. The first thing they have got to do is suspend their [nuclear] operations for the good of the world. It is incredibly dangerous to think of Iran with a nuclear weapon," he said.

Prime Minister Blair praised the Iranian people, but said the country needs a government that recognizes international obligations.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

President Bush and Mr. Blair met for more than an hour before the news conference, which was followed by a working dinner.

1 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。

2 nascent   

adj.初生的，发生中的

参考例句：

• That slim book showed the Chinese intelligentsia and the nascent working class.那本小册子讲述了中国的知识界和新兴的工人阶级。
• Despite a nascent democracy movement,there's little traction for direct suffrage.尽管有过一次新生的民主运动，但几乎不会带来直接选举。

3 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

4 consternation   

n.大为吃惊，惊骇

参考例句：

• He was filled with consternation to hear that his friend was so ill.他听说朋友病得那么厉害，感到非常震惊。
• Sam stared at him in consternation.萨姆惊恐不安地注视着他。

5 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

6 persevere   

v.坚持，坚忍，不屈不挠

参考例句：

• They are determined to persevere in the fight.他们决心坚持战斗。
• It is strength of character enabled him to persevere.他那坚强的性格使他能够坚持不懈。

7 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。

8 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

9 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

10 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

11 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法