2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Makes Surprise Visit to Baghdad in Show of

By Scott Stearns
White House
13 June 2006

President Bush, left, walks in courtyard of U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right  
  
President Bush is in Iraq on a surprise visit meant to show his support for the new government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

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President Bush was to have spoken with Prime Minister Maliki by videoconference Tuesday. Instead, he flew to Baghdad for face-to-face talks on the future of Iraq and U.S. involvement there.

President Bush told the prime minister that Iraq is a central front in the fight against terrorism and the success of his new government will deal what Mr. Bush called a "serious blow to those who have a vision of darkness."

"I've come to not only look you in the eye, I've also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it will keep its word," he said. "It is in our interest that Iraq succeeds. It is not only in the interest of the Iraqi people, it is in the interest of the American people and for people who love freedom."

White House counselor¹ Dan Bartlett says this is a trip the president had planned for some time to show his support for the new Iraqi government. With that Cabinet complete, the surprise five-hour visit is a chance for President Bush to show he is seizing the opportunity presented by Iraq's new leaders.

Mr. Bush says he is impressed by the diversity of Mr. Maliki's cabinet and is convinced they will succeed given the right help.

"I appreciate that you recognize the fact that the future of your country is in your hands," the president said. "The decisions you and your cabinet make will determine whether or not a country succeeds that can govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself."

Following the scheduled video conference with U.S. officials still in America, President Bush says they discussed strategies to improve security, help the economy, and rebuild Iraq.

Prime Minister Maliki says he is committed to a pluralistic government capable of bridging Iraq's sectarian divide.

 
President Bush, left, meets with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, at the US Embassy in Baghdad
  
The prime minister says he is determined² to succeed and defeat terrorism. He says Iraq will stay united and strong. Mr. Maliki expressed hope that coalition³ forces in the country would soon be able to return home but offered no timetable for that withdrawal⁴.

The continuing war in Iraq has dragged down President Bush's public approval ratings. White House officials anticipate a slight rise in those ratings following last week's killing⁵ of terrorist leader Abu Musasb al-Zarqawi. But they recognize those gains will be short lived without improved security and brighter prospects⁶ for the eventual⁷ withdrawal of U.S. troops.

In Baghdad, President Bush was also expected to meet with President Jalal Talibani and speaker of parliament Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as well as other Iraqi politicians and some of the more than 130,000 U.S. forces fighting there

1 counselor   

n.顾问，法律顾问

参考例句：

• The counselor gave us some disinterested advice.顾问给了我们一些无私的忠告。
• Chinese commercial counselor's office in foreign countries.中国驻国外商务参赞处。

2 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。

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 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。

5 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

6 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

7 eventual   

adj.最后的，结局的，最终的

参考例句：

• Several schools face eventual closure.几所学校面临最终关闭。
• Both parties expressed optimism about an eventual solution.双方对问题的最终解决都表示乐观。