2006年VOA标准英语-Suicide Bomber Kills 18 in Southern Afghanistan

By Benjamin Sand Islamabad 26 September 2006   Helicopter carries body of Italian soldier killed after a bomb attack, south of Kabul, September 26, 2006           It was another violent day in Afghanistan, where Taleban insurgents1 are pressing their attack against the country's democratically elected government and the international forces protecting it. A suicide bomber2 killed at least 18 people in Southern Afghanistan, and a second attack south of the capital, Kabul, killed another two. ---- Officials say the larger attack occurred Tuesday morning at the governor's compound in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. Interior Ministry3 spokesman Zamarai Bashary says local police apparently4 managed to stop the bomber outside the compound during a routine security check. "This suicide bombing happened when the police forces were inspecting people, and the guy who had tied explosives on his body suddenly exploded himself," said Bashary. He says the explosion killed at least 18 people, including police and civilians5. This is the first week of the Muslim holy month Ramadan, and among those killed were a number of local pilgrims beginning their trip to the Muslim holy city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.  Officials say the province's governor, Mohammed Daoud Safi, was inside during the attack and escaped injury. Helmand is part of the Taleban's traditional stronghold in Southern Afghanistan. Despite a major counter-offensive launched by NATO forces last month, local officials say the insurgents remain a powerful presence throughout the region. But their attacks are by no means limited to the south. A NATO military convoy6 was attacked outside Kabul, also on Tuesday, killing7 an Italian soldier and a young Afghan child. NATO spokesman Major Luke Knittig says an improvised8 explosive device hit the vehicle just before eight o'clock Tuesday morning. "That blast did kill an ISAF soldier and a local child and injured several others at the scene," said Major Knittig. "We used air and ground medical evacuations to treat those injured, and our mission continues despite this sad start to the day." The Western alliance currently has about 20,000 troops in the country. However, NATO officials say reinforcements may be needed to help defeat the resurgent Taleban threat. Afghan President Hamid Karzai is also pushing for greater international support amid the growing violence. Mr. Karzai is currently in the United States for a series of meetings with U.S. leaders, including President George Bush. The two are due to hold joint9 talks with Pakistan's president, General Pervez Musharraf, at the White House on Wednesday. Speaking to the United Nations last week, Mr. Karzai said the Taleban would not be defeated inside Afghanistan until their sanctuaries10 outside the country were also eliminated. Both Afghan and U.S. officials say insurgents are using bases in Pakistan to stage their attacks. President Bush this week praised both leaders for their efforts in combating terrorism.

1 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

2 bomber   

n.轰炸机，投弹手，投掷炸弹者

参考例句：

• He flew a bomber during the war.他在战时驾驶轰炸机。
• Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.追查伦敦爆炸案凶犯的侦探们急于对他进行讯问。

3 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

4 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

5 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

6 convoy   

vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队

参考例句：

• The convoy was snowed up on the main road.护送队被大雪困在干路上了。
• Warships will accompany the convoy across the Atlantic.战舰将护送该船队过大西洋。

7 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。

8 improvised   

a.即席而作的,即兴的

参考例句：

• He improvised a song about the football team's victory. 他即席创作了一首足球队胜利之歌。
• We improvised a tent out of two blankets and some long poles. 我们用两条毛毯和几根长竿搭成一个临时帐蓬。

9 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。

10 sanctuaries   

n.避难所( sanctuary的名词复数 )；庇护；圣所；庇护所

参考例句：

• The designation of special marine reserves and marine sanctuaries shall be subject to the State Council for approval. 海洋特别保护区、海上自然保护区的确定，须经国务院批准。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• After 1965 he acquiesced when they established sanctuaries on that soil. 1965年以后，他默认了他们在那块土地上建立庇护所。 来自辞典例句