VOA标准英语2008年-Sarkozy Sends French Troops to Rescue Captive S

France announced Tuesday its military forces have rescued two French sailors held hostage off the coast of Somalia - waters considered among the world's most dangerous when it comes to pirate attacks. From Paris, Lisa Bryant reports for VOA the European Union is considering a possible naval¹ mission to crack down on the piracy².

The order to rescue the two French sailors was given late Monday night by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The French president's office says the French army killed one Somali pirate and captured six others during the mission that freed a couple held hostage for the past two weeks.
　
French President Nicolas Sarkozy gives a press conference at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, 16 Sep 2008

At a press conference Tuesday, Mr. Sarkozy issued a warning to other pirates who continue to hold other foreign vessels³ and crews off Somalia's coast.

Mr. Sarkozy said France would not tolerate a situation where crimes pay. And he delivered a message to the international community: That the number of piracy cases has exploded since the start of the year. These are no longer isolated⁴ cases, the president said, but a veritable criminal industry that threatens the fundamental right to free circulation and international trade.

Dozens of attacks by Somalia-based pirates have taken place since the start of the year in the Gulf⁵ of Aden and Indian Ocean, prompting alarm on the part of foreign fishing and commercial boats. The International Maritime⁶ Bureau, a group that surveys piracy, says seizures⁷ of ships and sailors are at their highest level in nearly two decades.

Spain's fishermen have decided⁸ to move further out to sea where the waters are safer. And French officials will be discussing the problem and what long term measures to take.

During a meeting in Brussels Monday, European Union foreign ministers agreed to establish a coordination⁹ unit to survey the region and possibly send a naval mission to the Horn of Africa to crack down on the attacks.

 

1 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

2 piracy   

n.海盗行为，剽窃，著作权侵害

参考例句：

• The government has already adopted effective measures against piracy.政府已采取有效措施惩治盗版行为。
• They made the place a notorious centre of piracy.他们把这地方变成了臭名昭著的海盗中心。

3 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

5 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

6 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

7 seizures   

n.起获( seizure的名词复数 )；没收；充公；起获的赃物

参考例句：

• Seizures of illicit drugs have increased by 30% this year. 今年违禁药品的扣押增长了30%。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Other causes of unconsciousness predisposing to aspiration lung abscess are convulsive seizures. 造成吸入性肺脓肿昏迷的其他原因，有惊厥发作。 来自辞典例句

8 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

9 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。