VOA标准英语2008年-Bush: US, Iraq Agree US Troops Should Leave Ira

U.S. President George Bush and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani met at the White House Wednesday to talk about Iraq's provincial¹ election law and the need to finish talks on an agreement governing U.S. troops in Iraq. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns has the story.
　
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (left) and President Bush at the White House, 10 Sep 2008

The two leaders met one day after President Bush announced the withdrawal² of 8,000 U.S. troops from Iraq early next year.

Mr. Bush says that withdrawal is possible because of improved security that followed his decision to send reinforcement to Iraq last year.

"It's still difficult, but there is no doubt that the surge has been effective which has enabled us to take out troops. The Iraqis want there to be fewer U.S. troops. The United States wants there to be fewer U.S. troops, but both of us want to realize that based upon success," he said.

Speaking to reporters following their talks, Mr. Bush said they had a good conversation about the need to conclude a strategic framework agreement to govern U.S. troops in Iraq after the U.N. Security Council mandate³ expires at the end of the year.

The president said they also discussed Iraq's still-pending provincial election law, which is meant to better involve political groups that boycotted⁴ balloting⁵ three years ago.

The last session of parliament failed to resolve outstanding issues in the electoral law, including the status of the city of Kirkuk. Kurdish officials want the city as part of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan. Turkmen and Sunni Arab lawmakers want a power-sharing agreement.

President Talabani has been in the United States since August heart surgery in the Midwest state of Minnesota. Mr. Bush said Mr. Talabani's health is strong, which he says is important for the people of Iraq.

President Talabani thanked Mr. Bush and the U.S. military for improved security in Iraq.

"There are some terrorist cell groups working and hiding themselves. And thanks to you and the sacrifice of your army and to Iraqi people, now we can live in peace," he said.

The United States has been urging Arab nations to send ambassadors to Baghdad to support the Talabani government. The United Arab Emirates' ambassador presented his credentials⁶ in the capital Tuesday, becoming the first Arab ambassador to do so since 2005.

 

1 provincial   

adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人

参考例句：

• City dwellers think country folk have provincial attitudes.城里人以为乡下人思想迂腐。
• Two leading cadres came down from the provincial capital yesterday.昨天从省里下来了两位领导干部。

2 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

3 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。

4 boycotted   

抵制，拒绝参加( boycott的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Athletes from several countries boycotted the Olympic Games. 有好几国的运动员抵制奥林匹克运动会。
• The opposition party earlier boycotted the Diet agenda, demanding Miyaji's resignation. 反对党曾杯葛国会议程，要宫路下台。

5 balloting   

v.（使）投票表决( ballot的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Clark took a commanding leading in the early balloting. 在最初投票时，克拉克遥遥领先。 来自辞典例句
• The balloting had stagnated, he couldn't win. 投票工作陷于停顿，他不能得胜。 来自辞典例句

6 credentials   

n.证明，资格，证明书，证件

参考例句：

• He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
• Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。