2006年VOA标准英语-White House Says No Ultimatums For Iraq

By Paula Wolfson
White House
23 October 2006

The Bush administration says it is working with Iraqi officials to draft a series of benchmarks for meeting specific security, economic and political goals. But, officials deny they are issuing any ultimatums¹.

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President Bush has held a number of meetings recently with his top military and national security advisors². But officials caution against reading too much into the flurry of consultations³. 
 

		Tony Snow

White House spokesman Tony Snow says no dramatic announcement is imminent⁴, though he notes there are constant adjustments to reflect changing realities on the ground.

"Are there dramatic shifts in policy? The answer is no," said Tony Snow.

During a briefing for reporters, Snow said top Iraqi, coalition⁵ and U.S. officials in Baghdad have been meeting for some months to assess the situation, and come up with a list of benchmarks, or objectives. The New York Times reported Sunday that the American participants are drafting a set of specific timetables, and hinting at possible penalties, if targets are not met. Snow said that part of the report goes too far, adding, the United States is not in the business of issuing ultimatums.

"I think it is important to realize that, this is really both sides rolling up their sleeves, taking a practical look at all levels," he said. "The Iraqis also have very publicly been setting up benchmarks for their own political and economic progress."

Snow was asked if the Bush administration is satisfied with the efforts of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government to dismantle⁶ militia⁷ groups, and bring down the level of violence. Snow stressed the situation is difficult, and added the White House is satisfied Iraq's leaders are taking the matter seriously.

"I think you also see much more aggressive efforts on the part of the Iraqi government, because the prime minister understands the vital importance of reconciliation⁸ - the third reconciliation conference will take place the week after next on the 4th [of November]," said Tony Snow.

Talk of a possible shift in U.S. tactics in Iraq has intensified⁹ in the weeks leading up to the November 7 congressional election in the United States. Voter discontent with the war appears to have helped opposition¹⁰ Democrats¹¹, prompting even some Republicans to call for a change in policy.

Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware is likely to take over the chairmanship of the Foreign Relations Committee, if the Democrats regain¹² control of the Senate. During a conference call with reporters, he said there may be hints of change from the White House, but nothing will happen, if the Republicans remain in control on Capitol Hill.

"If they have a new plan, then they should not wait before they put it out, which makes me believe, if they hold on [to their majorities] in Congress, they do not have any real intention of making a significant change in policy," said Joseph Biden.

Polls indicate Iraq is the biggest single issue cited by American voters in the days leading up to the election. In a recent poll conducted by Newsweek magazine, 34 percent of those surveyed said they trust the Republicans to do a better job in handling the Iraq issue. Forty six percent chose the Democrats.

1 ultimatums   

最后通牒( ultimatum的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Environmental groups in Nevada and the Midwest have issued similar ultimatums. 内华达和中西部的环保团体也发布了类似的最后通牒。
• A proactive teacher doesn't deliver ultimatums. [先发制人式]师并不下最后通牒。

2 advisors   

n.顾问，劝告者( advisor的名词复数 )；（指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• The governors felt that they were being strung along by their advisors. 地方长官感到他们一直在受顾问们的愚弄。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• We will consult together with advisors about her education. 我们将一起和专家商议她的教育事宜。 来自互联网

3 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 imminent   

adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的

参考例句：

• The black clounds show that a storm is imminent.乌云预示暴风雨即将来临。
• The country is in imminent danger.国难当头。

5 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

6 dismantle   

vt.拆开，拆卸；废除，取消

参考例句：

• He asked for immediate help from the United States to dismantle the warheads.他请求美国立即提供援助，拆除这批弹头。
• The mower firmly refused to mow,so I decided to dismantle it.修完后割草机还是纹丝不动，于是，我决定把它拆开。

7 militia   

n.民兵，民兵组织

参考例句：

• First came the PLA men,then the people's militia.人民解放军走在前面，其次是民兵。
• There's a building guarded by the local militia at the corner of the street.街道拐角处有一幢由当地民兵团守卫的大楼。

8 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

9 intensified   

v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Violence intensified during the night. 在夜间暴力活动加剧了。
• The drought has intensified. 旱情加剧了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 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。

11 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。