2007年VOA标准英语-United Nations to Expand Role in Iraq

By Suzanne Presto¹
New York
10 August 2007

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved a resolution that expands the U.N. role in Iraq. From VOA's United Nations Bureau, Suzanne Presto reports the U.N. will play a larger role in brokering² political dialogue inside Iraq and winning support from Iraq's neighbors for the country's security.

UN Security Council

The resolution passed on Friday renews the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for one year, and also increases the U.N.'s political and humanitarian³ role in the nation.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says U.N. staffers will assist the Iraqi people and government on internal as well as on regional issues.

"The United Nations is deeply committed to helping⁴ the people of Iraq, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to now enhance, where possible, our contributions in crucial areas such as national reconciliation⁵, regional dialogue, humanitarian assistance and human rights," he said.

He says the U.N. will work in close partnership⁶ with the leaders of Iraq, and also meet with leaders of various groups, to promote political reconciliation.

Ban Ki-moon (file photo)

Mr. Ban lauded⁷ Iraqi leaders for their "courageous⁸ efforts," and he urged them to promote inclusive dialogue.

Iraq's U.N. Ambassador Hamid Al-Bayati says the resolution satisfies both the Iraqi government and the Security Council. He says the U.N.'s expanded mission will address sectarian divisions, as well as review the constitution.

"Iraq is facing challenges on the national level, regional level and on the humanitarian level," he said. "On the national level is the national reconciliation, which is important, and we believe UNAMI, with this expanded mandate⁹ could help in the national reconciliation among the Iraqi political parties and the groups. On the regional level we have humanitarian problems. We have refugees in the neighboring countries."

Humanitarian groups estimate that two million Iraqis have fled the country, while two million others are internally displaced.

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad praised the United Nation's commitment to Iraq.

"In fulfilling the tasks set out in this resolution, U.N. staff in Iraq are making, have made, and will make a vital contribution to Iraq's future stability, and we deeply appreciate their sacrifices, their dedicated¹⁰ and selfless work," he said.

He says U.S. forces in Iraq will do their part to meet the U.N.'s security and resource needs.

 

The U.N. Mission in Iraq has 55 international employees in the country who handle basic political tasks. Officials say the number of staffers could be increased to 95, depending on the security situation on the ground.

Diplomats¹¹, including Secretary-General Ban, reiterated¹² Friday that the safety of U.N. employees is a chief concern.

Four years ago, the U.N. pulled its staff from Iraq after terrorists blew up the organization's headquarters in Baghdad, killing¹³ 22 people including the top U.N. envoy¹⁴, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Afterwards, some U.N. employees were allowed to return.

1 presto   

adv.急速地；n.急板乐段；adj.急板的

参考例句：

• With something so important,you can't just wave a wand and presto!在这么重大的问题上，你想挥动一下指挥棒，转眼就变过来,办不到！
• I just turned the piece of wire in the lock and hey presto,the door opened.我把金属丝伸到锁孔里一拧，嘿，那门就开了。

2 brokering   

v.做掮客（或中人等）( broker的现在分词 )；作为权力经纪人进行谈判；以中间人等身份安排…

参考例句：

• Intertwined with these were rivalry, power brokering, and patronage. 然而也不乏有抗争、强权操纵与任命特权交织其中。 来自互联网
• Kingston Quest Can Assist Your Company In Negotiations, Brokering, Agency Services, Sourcing Factories Or Property. 金士顿追求，可帮助您的公司在谈判中，经纪，代理服务，货源工厂或财产。 来自互联网

3 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

5 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。

6 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

7 lauded   

v.称赞，赞美( laud的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• They lauded the former president as a hero. 他们颂扬前总统为英雄。 来自辞典例句
• The nervy feats of the mountaineers were lauded. 登山者有勇气的壮举受到赞美。 来自辞典例句

8 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

9 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

10 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

11 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 reiterated   

反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• "Well, I want to know about it,'she reiterated. “嗯，我一定要知道你的休假日期，"她重复说。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Some twenty-two years later President Polk reiterated and elaborated upon these principles. 大约二十二年之后，波尔克总统重申这些原则并且刻意阐释一番。

13 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。

14 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。