2007年VOA标准英语-Bush Reacts to Bin Laden Video

By Paula Wolfson
Sydney
08 September 2007

President Bush in Sydney

President Bush says the release of a new video by al-Qaida leader Osama bin¹ Laden² is a vivid reminder³ of the dangers still facing the world. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports from Sydney, where the president is attending a summit of Pacific rim⁴ leaders.

It is the first video in three years featuring Osama bin Laden. And its release comes just days before the sixth anniversary of the September 11th 2001 terror attacks on the United States.

The al-Qaida leader does not make any specific threats on the tape. But President Bush says the video underscores the need for the world to stand united against the terrorist threat.

"The tape is a reminder of the dangerous world in which we live and it is a reminder that we must work together to protect our people," he said.

Mr. Bush made the remarks to reporters in Sydney at the close of a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The president, who rarely responds to al-Qaida videos noted⁵ that in the tape, bin Laden talks about the Iraq war.

militant6 Web site where al-Qaida's media arm, Al-Sahab, frequently posts messages, 06 Sep 2007" hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070914/0929441.jpg" width="210" vspace="2" border="0" />

Image taken from a banner advertisement featured on an Islamic militant Web site where al-Qaida's media arm, Al-Sahab, frequently posts messages, 06 Sep 2007

"I found it interested that on the tape Iraq was mentioned, which is a reminder that Iraq is part of the war against extremists. If al-Qaida bothers to mention Iraq, it's because they want to achieve their objectives in Iraq, which is to drive us out," he said.

He said al-Qaida wants to establish a safe haven⁷ in Iraq - a launch site for further attacks on the United States and other countries. "And therefore, it is important that we show resolve and determination to protect ourselves, to deny al-Qaida safe haven and support young democracies," he said.

The president has been focusing a great deal lately on al-Qaida's ambitions as he seeks to build support for his Iraq policy. On Monday, the two top U.S. officials in Iraq, Ambassador Ryan Crocker and U.S. commander, General David Petraeus, will go before a Congressional committee and give a status report on the Iraqi situation. And President Bush says he will address the nation later in the week on the way forward in Iraq.

1 bin   

n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件

参考例句：

• He emptied several bags of rice into a bin.他把几袋米倒进大箱里。
• He threw the empty bottles in the bin.他把空瓶子扔进垃圾箱。

2 laden   

adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的

参考例句：

• He is laden with heavy responsibility.他肩负重任。
• Dragging the fully laden boat across the sand dunes was no mean feat.将满载货物的船拖过沙丘是一件了不起的事。

3 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

4 rim   

n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界

参考例句：

• The water was even with the rim of the basin.盆里的水与盆边平齐了。
• She looked at him over the rim of her glass.她的目光越过玻璃杯的边沿看着他。

5 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。

6 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

7 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。