VOA常速英语2008年-US and Iraq Pledge Economic Cooperation

By Daniel Schearf
Irbil, Iraq
29 February 2008

U.S. officials have praised Iraq's recent efforts to develop its economy and pledged cooperation on banking¹ and trade. But Iraqi officials say the lack of security is still restricting investment and growth. Daniel Schearf reports from the northern Iraqi city of Irbil.

American and Iraqi officials wound up two days of talks Thursday aimed at finding ways to improve Iraq's fledgling economy.

David McCormick, the U.S. Treasury² Undersecretary for International Affairs, says Baghdad has made progress on its budget, the reform of state-owned banks, and cracking down on corruption³. "I think I speak for all my colleagues at this table when I say that you will find in this team a group that is absolutely committed to working with you, working with your leadership in the coming months, and bringing all the commitment and focus and resources we can bring to bear to ensure the success of what you're doing," he said.

U.S. officials have said Iraq should take advantage of recent security gains to improve the economy.

Although security is still a problem, the number of terrorist attacks is down by sixty percent from the levels of June with a surge in U.S. troops and cooperation with militia⁴ groups.

The U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, says improvements in security have come at an extremely high price in the lives of Iraqi and coalition⁵ soldiers and police. "We owe it to them, Iraqi and collation⁶ men and women, who gave their lives to make Iraq a better place that we move ahead with the economic development and reform that will cement the security gains permanently," he said.

Tens of thousands of Iraqis and nearly 4,000 U.S. troops have been killed since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Iraq has struggled to develop its economy after years of fighting, economic sanctions, and a largely centrally controlled economy.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, Barhim Salih, says terrorism, criminals, and corruption are slowing improvements.

He warns security gains will be lost if they do not make needed improvements to unite all Iraqis against fundamentalists and terrorists. He says security will deteriorate⁷ if they fail to improve services for Iraqis and their daily lives.

Political infighting over budgets and oil revenue sharing has held up spending on civil services and investment, and increased sectarian distrust.

Iraq this week approved a budget law after months of delay, but politicians have yet to agree on oil revenue sharing.

1 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

2 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。

3 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

4 militia   

n.民兵，民兵组织

参考例句：

• First came the PLA men,then the people's militia.人民解放军走在前面，其次是民兵。
• There's a building guarded by the local militia at the corner of the street.街道拐角处有一幢由当地民兵团守卫的大楼。

5 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

6 collation   

n.便餐；整理

参考例句：

• It was in this retreat that Mr. Quilp ordered a cold collation to be prepared.奎尔普先生就是在这个别墅里预定冷点的。
• I was quite taken with your line of photocopiers with collation and stapling capability.我被贵公司能够自动整理和装订的系列复印机吸引住了。

7 deteriorate   

v.变坏；恶化；退化

参考例句：

• Do you think relations between China and Japan will continue to deteriorate?你认为中日关系会继续恶化吗？
• He held that this would only cause the situation to deteriorate further.他认为，这只会使局势更加恶化。