VOA双语新闻 Bush Focuses on Social Security（在线收听）

President Bush has held a rare formal news conference, a session that focused primarily on two key domestic issues--rising gas prices, and the future of the massive government program that provides benefits to retirees.

美国总统布什星期四晚举行了一次少见的正式记者会，内容主要集中在两个重要的国内问题上。不断上升的汽油价格、以及政府庞大的退休福利系统的未来。

A two-month campaign by the administration to win support for the president's Social Security reform plan has drawn little public enthusiasm. And so Mr. Bush used the opportunity before a national audience to make his case once again.

布什政府过去两个月来一直在向民众积极宣传总统的社会保障福利改革计划，但是公众反应冷淡。于是，布什总统利用这次站在全国电视观众面前讲话的机会，再次提出他的主张。

"The system has meant a lot for a lot of people. Social security has provided a safety net that has provided dignity and peace of mind for millions of Americans in their retirement. Yet there is a hole in the safety net," he said.

布什说：“这个系统对很多人来说意义重大。社会保障为千百万退休的美国人提供了一个安全网，从而也为他们提供了尊严和安定感。但是这个安全网上有一个洞。”

The debate over Social Security will soon shift to the U.S. Congress, which is already working on the president's energy proposals. Mr. Bush urged lawmakers to put politics aside, saying the American people have waited too long for action.

围绕社会保障福利问题的辩论很快就会转移到美国国会。国会眼下正在讨论总统的能源计划。布什敦促国会议员把政治放在一边。他说，美国人民等待政府采取行动已经等得太长了。

Iraq, North Korea and other international matters were also discussed.

伊拉克，北朝鲜和其它国际事物也是讨论的内容。

The president said there are still some people in Iraq who are resisting the shift to democracy. But he said progress is being made in preparing the Iraqis to take more control of their own security, saying U.S. generals on the ground are upbeat about the training and recruitment of Iraqi troops.

布什总统说，伊拉克仍然有一些人抗拒向民主的过渡。但是他说，有关方面在训练伊拉克人更多地负责安全任务方面取得了进展。他说，在伊拉克的美国将军对训练和招募伊拉克军队的进展感到乐观。

"Recruitment is high. It's amazing isn't it? People want to serve. They want their country to be free," he said.

布什说：“前来应招的人很踊跃。够了不起的，是不是？人们都想当兵。他们想让自己的国家自由。”

Mr. Bush was then asked if the deployment of so many U.S. troops to Iraq is hampering America's ability to respond to other world trouble spots, such as North Korea. The president said military leaders have assured him the current U.S. troop strength is sufficient. And he went on to talk about the importance of continuing a multi-lateral diplomatic approach towards Pyongyang.

有记者问布什说，这么多的美国部队部署在伊拉克是不是会妨碍美国对世界其它多事地区、如北韩做出反应的能力。布什说，军方领导人向他保证说，美国军队目前有充份的军力。 布什接着谈到继续与平壤进行多边外交的重要性。

President Bush referred to North Korean leader Kim Jung Il as a dangerous man, and said it is essential for the five nations dealing with Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions to speak with one voice. He said diplomatic action by consensus is the best approach.

布什说，北韩领导人金正日是一个危险人物，参与处理北韩核危机六方会谈的5个国家在对付北韩的时候需要声音一致。他说，最好的做法是采取统一的外交行动。

"The more Kim Jung Il threatens and brags, the more isolated he becomes," he said.

布什说：“金正日越是威胁越是吹牛，那他就会越孤立。”

On other matters, the president once again stressed his support for his nominee to be U.N. Ambassador, John Bolton.

在其它问题上，布什总统重申了他对美国驻联合国大使提名人约翰·博尔顿的支持。

He said progress is being made in the war on terror, even though a new U.S. government report showed an increase in terrorist activity over the last year.

布什说，虽然美国政府最近的一份报告显示，全球恐怖主义活动去年有所上升，但是反恐战争正在取得进展。

He also indicated he is satisfied with the stance taken by Russia on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Iran. Moscow's plan to help build the plant has been a sore spot in US - Russia relations. But the president said Russia has promised to take back all the enriched uranium it provides for the project, an indication the Russians are taking into account international concerns about Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

布什还表示，他对俄罗斯在伊朗修建核电站问题上的立场感到满意。莫斯科帮助伊朗修建核电站的计划是俄美关系中的一个摩擦点。但是布什总统说，俄罗斯答应回收为伊朗核电站项目提供的所有的浓缩铀，这表明俄罗斯正在考虑国际社会对伊朗核武器的关注。