NEWS-意大利总理宣布将阶段性从伊撤军

Italian PM Announces Phased Withdrawal¹ from Iraq

 

Prime Minister Berlusconi said Italy would start to reduce its 3,000 strong contingent² in Iraq before the end of the year. He added that the pullout would begin in September and would be gradual.

 

Mr. Berlusconi said the number of soldiers withdrawn³ would depend on the Iraqi government's ability to handle its own security.

 

The prime minister's announcement came during a political talk show. He also said the decision had been discussed with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

 

The Italian government has been one of the strongest supporters of U.S. foreign policy in Iraq. It has the fourth largest contingent based in the country's south.

 

But Mr. Berlusconi's center-right government has been under mounting pressure to withdraw soldiers following the killing⁴ of an Italian intelligence officer in Baghdad earlier this month.

 

Intelligence officer Nicola Calipari had just secured the release of an Italian journalist and was on his way to Baghdad airport when U.S. troops mistakenly opened fire on the car.

 

U.S. President George Bush promised Italy a full investigation⁵ into the incident, the result of which is expected in the next few weeks.

 

Mr. Berlusconi's announcement Tuesday of the pullout came on the same day that the Italian contingent suffered its 21st casualty in Iraq. A soldier accidentally shot himself in the head during target practice.

 

Opposition⁶ member Oliviero Diliberto asked just how many more deaths would Italy have to receive and cry over before a final withdrawal from Iraq would take place.  

 

News of the soldier's death reached parliament just as it was voting an extension of financing for troops in Iraq. There was a minute of silence in the lower house. Then the mission obtained approval for another six months.

 

Sabina Castelfranco, VOA news, Rome.

 

1 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。

2 contingent   

adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队

参考例句：

• The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。
• Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。

3 withdrawn   

vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出

参考例句：

• Our force has been withdrawn from the danger area.我们的军队已从危险地区撤出。
• All foreign troops should be withdrawn to their own countries.一切外国军队都应撤回本国去。

4 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

5 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。

6 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。