2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Calls Iraqi PM, Reaffirms Support

By Paula Wolfson
White House
16 October 2006

President Bush has personally assured Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of his continuing support, despite an increase in violence in Iraq during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

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Nouri al-Maliki (file photo)  
  
At a time when violence is raging in Iraq, Prime Minister Maliki sought new assurances from President Bush.

During a 15-minute telephone call originated by the president, the prime minister said he was concerned about rumors¹ circulating in Iraq that the United States had set a two-month deadline for the Iraqi government to quell² the bloodshed.

White House Spokesman Tony Snow told reporters Mr. Maliki said those rumors, if left unchecked, could damage his ability to govern.

"The prime minister also wanted to make it clear that talk of giving timetables or expiration³ dates or whatever to the government were not only undermining the government, but also inspiring 'terrorists,' is the term he used, and similarly he dismissed the notion of partition, which he also thought was undermining the government," he said. 

 
Tony Snow, Oct. 16, 2006 
  
Snow said President Bush assured Mr. Maliki that the rumors are false and should be ignored. The White House spokesman went on to say the president underscored his commitment to the Iraqi government and the hard decisions it must make.

"It is important for the people of Iraq to realize that the president and the United States government are behind Prime Minister Maliki's efforts to continue building democracy in Iraq and also to do some of the tougher, necessary business, including going after militias⁴ and terrorists," Snow said.

In an interview published Monday in the American newspaper USA Today, Mr. Maliki says Iraqi militias must be disbanded but adds it will "take time."

When asked if the Iraqi leader is being tough enough on the militias, Snow said President Bush believes Prime Minister Maliki is doing all he can to deal with problem. But the White House spokesman quickly added that much has to be done on many fronts to end the violence.

"There has to be more to be done," he said. "The violence level is absolutely unacceptable. And it is important to make progress. One of the things the prime minister was talking about in the phone call this morning with the president is he feels confident that the steps he is taking on the political, economic and security fronts not only are moving forward but are going to yield some fruit."

Snow emphasized an upsurge in sectarian violence in Iraq was expected during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. He blamed the bloodshed on forces trying to destroy the democratically elected Iraqi government.

The turmoil⁵ in Iraq has become a major issue in the current U.S. congressional campaign, with many lawmakers calling for a new strategy. An independent commission authorized⁶ by Congress is looking into various policy options, and is scheduled to release its conclusions after the November 7 elections. The White House says it will seriously consider the commission's recommendations, but notes the president is the commander-in-chief.

1 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 quell   

v.压制，平息，减轻

参考例句：

• Soldiers were sent in to quell the riots.士兵们被派去平息骚乱。
• The armed force had to be called out to quell violence.不得不出动军队来镇压暴力行动。

3 expiration   

n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物

参考例句：

• Can I have your credit card number followed by the expiration date?能告诉我你的信用卡号码和它的到期日吗?
• This contract shall be terminated on the expiration date.劳动合同期满，即行终止。

4 militias   

n.民兵组织，民兵( militia的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The troops will not attempt to disarm the warring militias. 部队并不打算解除战斗中的民兵武装。 来自辞典例句
• The neighborhood was a battleground for Shiite and Sunni militias. 那里曾是什叶派和逊尼派武装分子的战场。 来自互联网

5 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

6 authorized   

a.委任的，许可的

参考例句：

• An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。