2007年VOA标准英语-Afghan, Pakistani Leaders Urge Stepped Up Fight

By Benjamin Sand
Kabul
09 August 2007

Pakistani and Afghan leaders issued renewed calls for greater cooperation in the fight against religious extremism. Hundreds of delegates from both countries are holding a landmark¹ peace conference or jirga in the Afghan capital, Kabul.  The four-day talks of talks are focused on curbing² pro-Taleban violence and improving ties between the two countries.  From Kabul, VOA Correspondent Benjamin Sand reports.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, left, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai attend meeting to discuss rising border violence, 09 Aug 2007

Afghan president Hamid Karzai set the tone early Thursday during his inaugural³ address to nearly 600 delegates.

He says he has no doubt that if the two countries work together they could eliminate terrorism in a matter of days.

The two U.S. allies are both struggling to contain a surge in violence, especially along their volatile⁴ border.

But critics question the jirga's ability to affect any meaningful change.

Participants say the most important regional actors are staying away from the conference.

First, representatives from the local Taleban were not invited. Then, their tribal⁵ supporters in Pakistan decided⁶ to boycott⁷ the peace talks.

Pervez Musharraf (file photo)

And finally, late Wednesday, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf abruptly⁸ canceled a much-anticipated appearance, because of domestic political concerns.

Pakistani officials say the embattled president is considering new measures to help control a worsening security situation.

In his place, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz attended the U.S.-backed jirga.

Mr. Aziz says Pakistan remains⁹ absolutely committed to a joint¹⁰ solution to the region's mounting violence.

He also rejects claims that Islamabad covertly¹¹ supports the Taleban insurgency¹².

Pakistan was a key Taleban ally before September 2001. 

Following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, it cut ties with the Islamist group and joined the U.S.-led war against terror.

But U.S. and Afghan officials say Taleban forces have established bases inside Pakistan's remote tribal areas near the Afghan border.

Pakistan has deployed¹³ some 90,000 troops to the region and says it is doing everything it can to secure its tribal areas.

Pakistan jirga member Sayed Bokhari says that so far the meetings have gone better than expected.

"When you talk to each other, a lot of misunderstandings are removed," Bokhari said. "They think that we are not doing enough and we think Kabul is not doing enough. So when we sit together we will be able to solve this problem."

Over the next several days, Kabul will be under strict security measures - with cars and pedestrians¹⁴ barred from areas around the jirga facility.

The grand jirga is scheduled to end Sunday.

1 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

2 curbing   

n.边石，边石的材料v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Progress has been made in curbing inflation. 在控制通货膨胀方面已取得了进展。
• A range of policies have been introduced aimed at curbing inflation. 为了抑制通货膨胀实施了一系列的政策。

3 inaugural   

adj.就职的；n.就职典礼

参考例句：

• We listened to the President's inaugural speech on the radio yesterday.昨天我们通过无线电听了总统的就职演说。
• Professor Pearson gave the inaugural lecture in the new lecture theatre.皮尔逊教授在新的阶梯讲堂发表了启用演说。

4 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

5 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 boycott   

n./v.(联合)抵制，拒绝参与

参考例句：

• We put the production under a boycott.我们联合抵制该商品。
• The boycott lasts a year until the Victoria board permitsreturn.这个抗争持续了一年直到维多利亚教育局妥协为止。

8 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

9 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。

10 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。

11 covertly   

adv.偷偷摸摸地

参考例句：

• Naval organizations were covertly incorporated into civil ministries. 各种海军组织秘密地混合在各民政机关之中。 来自辞典例句
• Modern terrorism is noteworthy today in that it is being done covertly. 现代的恐怖活动在今天是值得注意的，由于它是秘密进行的。 来自互联网

12 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

13 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

14 pedestrians   

n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Several pedestrians had come to grief on the icy pavement. 几个行人在结冰的人行道上滑倒了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Pedestrians keep to the sidewalk [footpath]! 行人走便道。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》