2006年VOA标准英语-Indonesia Warns US Against Interference in

By Nancy-Amelia Collins
Jakarta
06 June 2006

 
US Defense¹ Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, right, speaks as Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono looks on Tuesday June 6, 2006 in Jakarta 
  
Indonesia has told the U.S. Secretary of Defense that Washington should not interfere² with the anti-terrorism efforts of Asian nations. Donald Rumsfeld is in Indonesia as part of a three-country tour of the region aimed at strengthening anti-terrorism ties and military cooperation.

The Indonesian Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono Tuesday warned Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld that the United States risks a backlash if it persists in forcing its approach to fighting terrorism on other nations.

Juwono says other countries feel threatened by the United States because of its unequaled economic and military power.

"As the largest Muslim country, we are very aware of the perception, or misperception, that the United States is overbearing and over-present and overwhelming in every sector³ of life in many nations and cultures," he said.

Rumsfeld responded by saying the United States has never told any country to do something it was "uncomfortable with" in fighting the global threat of terrorism.

"It strikes me that the minister's correct, that each country has a different history, a different circumstance, different population, and a different government and it's necessary to allow that degree of flexibility⁴ so that they can participate in a way that they feel comfortable with and not feel imposed upon," said Rumsfeld.

He added that between 80 to 85 countries were now cooperating and sharing information as part of the fight against terrorism.

Secretary Rumsfeld held talks Tuesday in Jakarta with President Sisal Bombing Yudhoyono and top security officials about ways to improve military ties. The U.S. cut military ties with Indonesia in 1999 over rights abuses by the Indonesian military during East Timor's vote for independence from Jakarta.

But the U.S. resumed military assistance last November.

Indonesia, which has suffered a series of terrorist bombings blamed on the al-Qaida linked regional terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah, is now a key Washington ally in the war on terror.

Secretary Rumsfeld also discussed ways to boost cooperation in the fight against terrorism during Tuesday's meeting, along with security in the world's busiest shipping⁵ lane, the Malacca Strait.

Rumsfeld arrived in Indonesia after visiting Singapore and Vietnam on his tour of Southeast Asia

1 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。

2 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

3 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

4 flexibility   

n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性

参考例句：

• Her great strength lies in her flexibility.她的优势在于她灵活变通。
• The flexibility of a man's muscles will lessen as he becomes old.人老了肌肉的柔韧性将降低。

5 shipping   

n.船运（发货，运输，乘船）

参考例句：

• We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
• There's a shipping charge of ￡5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。