2007年VOA标准英语-Gates Says NATO Effective in Afghanistan, Even

By Al Pessin
Brussels
13 June 2007

U.S. Defense¹ Secretary Robert Gates says the NATO alliance has demonstrated that it can be effective in Afghanistan in spite of continuing shortfalls in the number of troops member-nations are providing. VOA's Al Pessin reports from Brussels, where Secretary Gates arrived late Wednesday for a meeting of NATO defense ministers.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates (r) being greeted at Brussels airport by US Ambassador to NATO Victoria Nuland

Secretary Gates says NATO forces in Afghanistan conducted an offensive of their own in recent months, preventing the expected spring offensive by Taleban forces. In comments during a stop in Germany on his way to the NATO meeting, the secretary indicated that for him, that is more important than NATO's continuing inability to provide as many forces as its leaders have promised.

"There are some unmet needs, but the reality is that the activities that the activities that are going on in Afghanistan over this spring, in my opinion, are quite positive, both in the security situation and in terms of the number of countries that are stepping up to help the economic reconstruction² and development," said Secretary Gates.

Robert Gates speaking to reporters in Brussels, 13 Jun 2007

The top NATO commander in Afghanistan, American General Dan McNeill said last week he needs more combat troops, more helicopters and more trainers for the new Afghan security forces. But Secretary Gates said Wednesday generals always want more troops, and that while NATO could always do more, particularly in the coordination³ of reconstruction aid, it has proven it can be effective in a place like Afghanistan, far from NATO's home base.

Gates said he expects some discussion of how to better coordinate⁴ aid efforts during the NATO defense ministers' meeting Thursday and Friday.

A senior official traveling with the secretary told reporters on his aircraft the issue of NATO force levels in Afghanistan will likely come up during the meetings, particularly regarding the staffing of reconstruction and training teams. The official says some countries may be ready to announce further contributions, but she also said people need to moderate their expectations of what NATO and the Afghan government can do.

The official also said Secretary Gates may raise questions about the new NATO Response Force, a rotating force of 25,000 that is on stand-by for emergencies. The official says the secretary will question whether it makes sense to maintain such a force while the NATO commitment in Afghanistan remains⁵ short of its target.

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 reconstruction   

n.重建，再现，复原

参考例句：

• The country faces a huge task of national reconstruction following the war.战后，该国面临着重建家园的艰巨任务。
• In the period of reconstruction,technique decides everything.在重建时期，技术决定一切。

3 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

4 coordinate   

adj.同等的，协调的；n.同等者；vt.协作，协调

参考例句：

• You must coordinate what you said with what you did.你必须使你的言行一致。
• Maybe we can coordinate the relation of them.或许我们可以调和他们之间的关系。

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。