2007年VOA标准英语-Britain's Treasury Chief Launches Campaign to S

By Sonja Pace
London
11 May 2007

Britain's Treasury¹ chief, Gordon Brown, has officially launched his campaign to succeed Tony Blair as prime minister at the end of June. VOA's Sonja Pace reports from London that in laying out his program, Brown said Britain must honor its commitments in Iraq, but he noted² that, "mistakes have been made."

In what he said would be the first of many news conferences in the coming weeks, Chancellor³ of the Exchequer⁴, Gordon Brown, kicked off his campaign to succeed his long-time political friend and rival, Tony Blair as prime minister.

"Today I announce that I am a candidate to be leader of the Labor⁵ Party and to lead a new government," said Brown.

In laying out his program, Brown focused largely on domestic issues - further strengthening the economy and ensuring better health care and education. He promised to listen and learn and restore public trust in government.

Despite the domestic emphasis, the issue of Iraq was quickly raised. Did Brown agree with Prime Minister Blair's policy and will he change course, if he becomes prime minister?

"We will keep our obligations to the Iraqi people. These are obligations that are part of U.N. resolutions," he said.

However, Brown admitted "mistakes were made," and indicated there would be a shift in emphasis.

Tony Blair meets with Iraq's President Jalal Talabini at 10 Downing Street, London, 11 May 2007

"I do think that over the next few months, the emphasis will shift," he said. "We've got to concentrate more on political reconciliation⁶ in Iraq. We've got to concentrate more on economic development so that people in Iraq, that they feel they've got a stake in the country for the future. And, obviously we've got to do more to win the battle of hearts and minds against al-Qaida terrorism. And, I would not wish to underestimate the extent to which this new front has got to be opened."

Brown also said he would travel to the Middle East, to talk with Iraqi officials and meet with British troops.

Britain's involvement in Iraq and the government's staunch support for President Bush have been unpopular with most Britons and are widely seen as having hastened Tony Blair's exit from office.

In an interview with British radio, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Mr. Blair has been a special friend of America, but she said the administration would work closely with a new government under Gordon Brown.

"I think the relationship will be very close in part because the United States and Britain are such key allies," she said.

As Brown sets out to win the support of his own party, he has already received a ringing endorsement⁸ of a key member, the outgoing prime minister.

"I'm absolutely delighted to give my full support to Gordon as the next leader of the Labor party and prime minister and to endorse⁷ him fully," said Blair.

Gordon Brown is not expected to face serious challengers in the election process within Labor, which unfolds in the weeks ahead. Mr. Blair has said he will resign as prime minister June 27.

1 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

4 exchequer   

n.财政部；国库

参考例句：

• In Britain the Chancellor of the Exchequer deals with taxes and government spending.英国的财政大臣负责税务和政府的开支。
• This resulted in a considerable loss to the exchequer.这使国库遭受了重大损失。

5 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

6 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。

7 endorse   

vt.(支票、汇票等)背书，背署；批注；同意

参考例句：

• No one is foolish enough to endorse it.没有哪个人会傻得赞成它。
• I fully endorse your opinions on this subject.我完全拥护你对此课题的主张。

8 endorsement   

n.背书；赞成，认可，担保；签(注)，批注

参考例句：

• We are happy to give the product our full endorsement.我们很高兴给予该产品完全的认可。
• His presidential campaign won endorsement from several celebrities.他参加总统竞选得到一些社会名流的支持。