VOA标准英语2009年-Kabul Suicide Attack Kills Italian Soldier

By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome
17 September 2009

 
A body covered with a blue sheet lies at the site where a suicide car bomber¹ attacked an Italian military convoy² on a road in Kabul, Afghanistan, 17 Sep 2009
Italy has suffered the deadliest attack on its troops in Afghanistan, when suicide bombers³ struck a military convoy in the Afghan capital, Kabul. At least six Italian soldiers and 10 civilians⁴ were killed.

Ambulances rushed to the scene Wednesday following the latest attack in Kabul, the deadliest to date for Italian soldiers deployed⁵ in the country. At least six Italian soldiers were killed. The blast also wounded 52 civilians and four Italian soldiers.

At around midday local time, officials say a car loaded with explosives struck two vehicles carrying Italian paratroopers along the airport road near the U.S. embassy.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

 

 
Italy's Defense⁶ Minister Ignazio La Russa, 16 Sep 2009
As soon as news reached Rome, a minute of silence was observed in the lower house of parliament. Messages of condolence and solidarity⁷ were sent to the relatives of the victims.

Italian Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa immediately made a brief address to parliament, saying this was a very painful moment. He made clear the attack would not deter⁸ Italy's commitment to the region.

La Russa said that the villainous and cowardly aggressors who have once again hit in the most vicious way should know Italy will not stop its mission, and will continue to assess it with its international allies.

Italy has about 2,800 soldiers in Afghanistan. According to the Defense Ministry⁹, 21 Italian troops have been killed in Afghanistan. 

1 bomber   

n.轰炸机，投弹手，投掷炸弹者

参考例句：

• He flew a bomber during the war.他在战时驾驶轰炸机。
• Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.追查伦敦爆炸案凶犯的侦探们急于对他进行讯问。

2 convoy   

vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队

参考例句：

• The convoy was snowed up on the main road.护送队被大雪困在干路上了。
• Warships will accompany the convoy across the Atlantic.战舰将护送该船队过大西洋。

3 bombers   

n.轰炸机( bomber的名词复数 )；投弹手；安非他明胶囊；大麻叶香烟

参考例句：

• Enemy bombers carried out a blitz on the city. 敌军轰炸机对这座城市进行了突袭。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Royal Airforce sill remained dangerously short of bombers. 英国皇家空军仍未脱离极为缺乏轰炸机的危境。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

5 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

6 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

7 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

8 deter   

vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住

参考例句：

• Failure did not deter us from trying it again.失败并没有能阻挡我们再次进行试验。
• Dogs can deter unwelcome intruders.狗能够阻拦不受欢迎的闯入者。

9 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。