VOA标准英语2008年-Bush, Pakistan's Gilani Discuss Fighting Terror

By Scott Stearns
Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
18 May 2008

U.S. President George Bush and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani say they are determined¹ to continue fighting terrorism. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports from Egypt where the two leaders met ahead of a world economic forum².

This was the president's first meeting with the new Pakistani prime minister, and the men vowed³ to continue cooperating in the fight against terrorism.

"The prime minister and I talked, of course, about our common desire to protect ourselves and others from those who would do harm. And I want to thank your steadfast⁴ support and your strength of character and your understanding of the problems we face," Mr. Bush said.

Pakistan is a crucial ally in that fight as U.S. intelligence officials say al-Qaeda terrorists have rebuilt much of their organization in Pakistan's tribal⁵ areas along the border with Afghanistan.

Since taking power in elections that routed the parliamentary coalition⁶ backing Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Gilani's government has opened talks with tribal chiefs along the border in hopes of ending attacks inside the country.

The Bush administration has made clear its opposition⁷ to that move as Washington believes an earlier arrangement by President Musfarraf allowed al-Qaeda to regroup.

Neither leader publicly addressed those talks with tribal chiefs while speaking to reporters ahead of the world economic forum in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Prime Minister Gilani said his new government is determined to end the violence that last year claimed the life of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

"Our government is committed to fight terrorism and extremism; it is against the humanity, it's against the world, and I have lost my own great leader, Benazir Bhutto, because of terrorism," Mr. Gilani said. "Therefore I pledge and I stand by the world to fight against extremism and terrorism."

Prime Minister Gilani and President Bush also discussed the global food crisis. Mr. Bush said helping⁸ Afghanistan grow more of its own wheat will take some of the pressure off Pakistani agriculture.

1 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

2 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

3 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

4 steadfast   

adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的

参考例句：

• Her steadfast belief never left her for one moment.她坚定的信仰从未动摇过。
• He succeeded in his studies by dint of steadfast application.由于坚持不懈的努力他获得了学业上的成功。

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 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。

7 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

8 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。