2007年VOA标准英语-Bush: Leaving Iraq Would Be Disaster

By Scott Stearns
White House
13 February 2007

U.S. President George Bush says pulling U.S. troops out of Baghdad would only lead to more violence. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, Mr. Bush is rejecting congressional resolutions opposing his sending more troops to Iraq.

George Bush

President Bush says legislators who do not believe America can succeed in Iraq and want U.S. troops there to leave are pursuing what he calls "a disastrous¹ course."

"One option that some in the Congress [think makes] sense is to withdraw from Baghdad, in other words just let them fight it out," said Mr. Bush.  "And some just say we shouldn't be there at all. Either one of those cases, in my judgment², would create chaos³, violence, and would make it much more difficult for us to have an ally in this war on terror and much easier for the enemy to promote their hatred⁴."

In an interview with C-SPAN television, President Bush continued his push to convince Americans that his new strategy for Iraq, including sending more than 20,000 additional troops, is the best way forward.

Some members of the president's Republican Party are joining congressional Democrats⁵ in opposing that plan. White House officials say those efforts could adversely⁶ affect the morale⁷ of U.S. troops and encourage those they are fighting.

A public opinion survey released by CBS News Tuesday said more than two-thirds of Americans disapprove⁸ the way President Bush is handling the war. Roughly 72 percent of Americans believe U.S. efforts to bring stability to Iraq are going somewhat or very badly.

As he has from the start of the war nearly four years ago, Mr. Bush says the fight is central to American security.

"If we fail, then it is more likely somebody will come here and kill additional Americans," he added.  "In other words, failure in Iraq emboldens⁹ an enemy which has caused us harm in the past and wants to do so again."

President Bush says the war in Iraq will continue beyond his time in office. But when America's next leader takes power in January of 2009, Mr. Bush says there should be some clear improvements.

"There will be violence," he said.  "There will be criminality, but they will also see a country in which the security forces are better equipped and better adapted at dealing¹⁰ with the extremists."

Mr. Bush said America's next president will see an Iraqi society heading toward more unity¹¹ and a political process working toward reconciliation¹².

1 disastrous   

adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的

参考例句：

• The heavy rainstorm caused a disastrous flood.暴雨成灾。
• Her investment had disastrous consequences.She lost everything she owned.她的投资结果很惨，血本无归。

2 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

3 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

4 hatred   

n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨

参考例句：

• He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.他以憎恨的眼光望着我。
• The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists.老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。

5 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 adversely   

ad.有害地

参考例句：

• We commented adversely upon the imbecility of that message of telegraphic style. 我们对着这条电报式的愚蠢的留言发泄了一通不满。
• Widely fluctuating exchange rates may adversely affect international trade. 浮动幅度很大的汇率可能会对国际贸易产生有害的影响。

7 morale   

n.道德准则，士气，斗志

参考例句：

• The morale of the enemy troops is sinking lower every day.敌军的士气日益低落。
• He tried to bolster up their morale.他尽力鼓舞他们的士气。

8 disapprove   

v.不赞成，不同意，不批准

参考例句：

• I quite disapprove of his behaviour.我很不赞同他的行为。
• She wants to train for the theatre but her parents disapprove.她想训练自己做戏剧演员，但她的父母不赞成。

9 emboldens   

v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• This condition emboldens employers and brokers to exploit more the migrant workers. 这样的情形使得雇主及仲介业者得以大胆地剥削移民劳工。 来自互联网
• In turn, Kobe's growing confidence emboldens his teammates to play even better. 反过来，科比增加了对他们的信任也促使队友们打得更好。 来自互联网

10 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

11 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。

12 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。