VOA双语新闻 Iraq Abuse Investigation

A U.S Army investigation¹ into abuses of Iraqi inmates² at Abu Ghraib prison is expected to place blame on low-level soldiers, while generally clearing senior commanders of involvement. Seven U.S. soldiers are already facing charges of abuse in connection with a scandal that shocked the world.

预计美国军方对伊拉克的阿布格拉布监狱虐囚案的调查将会把责任归咎于下层的士兵，基本上开脱美国高级军官的干系。七名士兵因为和这起震惊世界的虐囚丑闻有关，已经受到了起诉。

The results of the Army investigation are expected to be released in the coming days. Barring any last minute changes, U.S. military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity³, say it will place most blame for the abuses at Abu Ghraib on reservist guards and those who ran the prison. They say the investigation found no direct evidence that high level Pentagon commanders gave orders for prisoners to be abused.

军队的调查报告在今后几天就会公布出来。为了防止最后有什么变化，美国军队官员以匿名的身份说，这起虐待事件的责任大部份应该由后备役警卫和管理监狱的军官来承担。他们说，调查没有找到显示五角大楼高层军官授意虐待伊拉克犯人的直接证据。

Seven soldiers are facing criminal charges. The abuse drew widespread condemnation⁴ after photographs surfaced in April of guards beating detainees and posing with naked inmates in sexually humiliating positions. One soldier charged in the abuse case has already pleaded guilty, and has been sentenced to a year in prison. All the defendants⁵ say they were just following orders from higher up in the military chain of command to "soften⁶ up" Iraqi inmates for interrogation. Among those who could go to prison is 21-year-old Army Private 1st Class Lynndie England, who has been photographed smiling and posing with naked Iraqi inmates. "[I was] told to stand there, give the 'thumbs up', smile, stand behind all of the naked Iraqis in the pyramid [and] take a picture," she said.

这七名军人面临刑事起诉。虐待的照片在4月份暴光后，各方的谴责铺天盖地。照片里有士兵殴打犯人的情景，有士兵和裸体犯人摆出的羞辱性的性姿势。一名被指控的士兵已经承认有罪，被判坐牢一年。所有的被告都说，他们是受美国军队高层人士的指使，奉命使用特殊的方法来摧毁犯人的意志，为盘问做准备。当中可能会坐牢的是一位名叫英格兰 的二十一岁的一等兵，因为有她笑着和裸体囚犯拍的照片。英格兰说：“我被要求站在那儿，竖起手指，微笑着站在摆成金字塔形的裸体犯人后面。”

The soon to be released Army report is one of seven military investigations⁷ looking into abuse at Abu Ghraib, and whether what went on there was limited to a few individuals, or a widespread practice. During a Congressional hearing on the matter in May, Defense⁸ Secretary Donald Rumsfeld took full responsibility for what happened at Abu Ghraib, but rejected calls from some in Washington for him to resign.

将要公布的军队报告是关于阿布格拉布监狱虐囚事件的7项军队调查之一，目的是查明这个事件仅仅牵涉少数个人还是一个大范围的活动。在5月份的国会听证会上，国防部长拉姆斯菲尔德表示承担这起虐待事件的所有责任，但拒绝华盛顿一些人要他辞职的要求。
 

1 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

2 inmates   

n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• One of the inmates has escaped. 被收容的人中有一个逃跑了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The inmates were moved to an undisclosed location. 监狱里的囚犯被转移到一个秘密处所。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 anonymity   

n.the condition of being anonymous

参考例句：

• Names of people in the book were changed to preserve anonymity. 为了姓名保密，书中的人用的都是化名。
• Our company promises to preserve the anonymity of all its clients. 我们公司承诺不公开客户的姓名。

4 condemnation   

n.谴责; 定罪

参考例句：

• There was widespread condemnation of the invasion. 那次侵略遭到了人们普遍的谴责。
• The jury's condemnation was a shock to the suspect. 陪审团宣告有罪使嫌疑犯大为震惊。

5 defendants   

被告( defendant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The courts heard that the six defendants had been coerced into making a confession. 法官审判时发现6位被告人曾被迫承认罪行。
• As in courts, the defendants are represented by legal counsel. 与法院相同，被告有辩护律师作为代表。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件

6 soften   

v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和

参考例句：

• Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.塑料适当加热就可以软化。
• This special cream will help to soften up our skin.这种特殊的护肤霜有助于使皮肤变得柔软。

7 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

8 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。