VOA慢速英语2009年-IN THE NEWS - Obama Replaces Bush's Missil

This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.

In two thousand six, Defense¹ Secretary Robert Gates advised President George W. Bush to base a missile defense system in Europe. Russia objected to what it saw as threat to its security. But supporters said it was the best way to protect the United States and its European allies from countries like Iran or North Korea.

The Bush administration proposed a radar² base in the Czech Republic and ten interceptor missiles in Poland. These are missiles used to shoot down other missiles.
　
The Defense Department says ship-based interceptor missiles can be moved from place to place as needed

But now, President Barack Obama has announced his own plan. He says it is based on improved technologies and new intelligence about Iran. Officials say Iran has made slower progress than expected in developing long-range ballistic missiles.

Defense Secretary Gates says short- and medium-range missiles are now the more immediate³ threat to American forces in Europe and to allies. He says the United States will deploy⁴ radar sensors⁵ and interceptors in northern and southern Europe on ships. This would make it easier to move them if needed.

This first part is planned for two thousand eleven. A second part, about two thousand fifteen, will involve putting land-based systems in Europe. Secretary Gates said talks have begun with allies, starting with Poland and the Czech Republic.

President Obama announced his plan at the White House on Thursday.

BARACK OBAMA: "The best way to responsibly advance our security and the security of our allies is to deploy a missile defense system that best responds to the threats that we face and that utilizes⁶ technology that is both proven and cost effective."

Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer said the president informed him early Thursday, and that the Czech Republic "acknowledges this decision." Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk⁷ says his country still remains⁸ loyal to the United States.

But Zbigniew Lewicki, a specialist in American studies at the University of Warsaw, expressed concerns. He spoke⁹ to the Polish Radio External Service.

ZBIGNIEW LEWICKI: "Nobody opposes better relations between the United States and Russia. But it should never be done in a manner which confirms Russia's unfounded claims to be the decisive force in this part of Europe."

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called the decision a "responsible move." He and President Obama are expected to meet next week. They will attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York and the Group of Twenty economic meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Obama administration has said it wants to "reset¹⁰" relations with Russia. The two sides have been negotiating a new treaty to reduce nuclear arms, to replace a treaty that ends in December.
　
Defense Secretary Robert Gates

But the decision to drop the Bush missile-defense plan brought a mixed reaction in Congress. Members of the president's Democratic Party praised the move. But minority Republicans said it betrays two close allies in Europe and will empower Russia. Critics also noted¹¹ Russia's efforts to block stronger measures against Iran over its disputed nuclear program.

But Secretary Gates noted repeated delays in getting Czech and Polish approvals for the plan. He also reacted to the critics.

ROBERT GATES: "Those who say we are scrapping¹² missile defense in Europe are either misinformed or misrepresenting the reality of what we are doing."

And that's IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English, on radio and at voaspecialenglish.com. I'm Steve Ember

1 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。

2 radar   

n.雷达，无线电探测器

参考例句：

• They are following the flight of an aircraft by radar.他们正在用雷达追踪一架飞机的飞行。
• Enemy ships were detected on the radar.敌舰的影像已显现在雷达上。

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 deploy   

v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开

参考例句：

• The infantry began to deploy at dawn.步兵黎明时开始进入战斗位置。
• The president said he had no intention of deploying ground troops.总统称并不打算部署地面部队。

5 sensors   

n.传感器，灵敏元件( sensor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were more than 2000 sensors here. 这里装有两千多个灵敏元件。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Significant changes have been noted where sensors were exposed to trichloride. 当传感器暴露在三氯化物中时，有很大变化。 来自辞典例句

6 utilizes   

v.利用，使用( utilize的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• One highly successful approach utilizes a triplet aspheric lens array. 一种很成功的方法是利用一个三合非球面透镜阵列。 来自辞典例句
• The first utilizes a blend of finely ground ceramic powders. 第一种用的是一种磨细的陶瓷粉末混合物。 来自辞典例句

7 tusk   

n.獠牙，长牙，象牙

参考例句：

• The wild boar had its tusk sunk deeply into a tree and howled desperately.野猪的獠牙陷在了树里，绝望地嗥叫着。
• A huge tusk decorated the wall of his study.他书房的墙上装饰着一支巨大的象牙。

8 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

9 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

10 reset   

v.重新安排，复位；n.重新放置；重放之物

参考例句：

• As soon as you arrive at your destination,step out of the aircraft and reset your wristwatch.你一到达目的地，就走出飞机并重新设置手表时间。
• He is recovering from an operation to reset his arm.他做了一个手臂复位手术，正在恢复。

11 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

12 scrapping   

刮，切除坯体余泥

参考例句：

• He was always scrapping at school. 他在学校总打架。
• These two dogs are always scrapping. 这两条狗总是打架。