2006年VOA标准英语-Iraqi Leader Vows Action Against Militia

By Benjamin Sand
Irbil, Iraq
25 October 2006

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is promising¹ a major crackdown on illegal militias³, which are blamed for widespread sectarian violence. During a nationally televised speech Maliki also sharply rejected any suggestion that the U.S. government has imposed a timetable on his administration to improve security.

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Nouri al-Maliki

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed⁴ Wednesday that his government would tackle, head on, the growing problem of illegal militias in Iraq.

He says Iraq will deal harshly with anyone who defies the law or undermines the authority of the state.

Maliki is under growing pressure from the United States to contain Iraq's growing sectarian violence.

But his critics are already accusing the prime minister of sending mixed messages.

This is not the first time Mr. Maliki has promised action against the militias and Mr. Maliki himself maintains ties with several Shiite parties linked to the powerful militias.

Wednesday, the prime minister also disavowed a pre-dawn raid on Sadr City, a key Baghdad stronghold for Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's militia².

At least four people were injured and 20 others wounded during the joint⁵ U.S. and Iraqi operation. U.S. officials say the raid targeted the alleged⁶ leader of a shiite death squad⁷.

Mr. Maliki told reporters he was unaware⁸ of the operation before it began and promised similar raids will not be repeated.

The prime minister's comments come a day after the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad said Iraqi leaders have accepted a timetable for improving security.

Wednesday, Mr. Maliki angrily dismissed claims that Washington had imposed deadlines on Iraq. He said the country's elected leaders are the only people who can set timelines and change policy.

He also accused Iraq's neighbors of meddling⁹ in the country's internal affairs.

U.S. officials have specifically accused both Syria and Iran of arming militant¹⁰ groups inside Iraq.

1 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

2 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。

3 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

4 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

5 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

6 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

7 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

8 unaware   

a.不知道的，未意识到的

参考例句：

• They were unaware that war was near. 他们不知道战争即将爆发。
• I was unaware of the man's presence. 我没有察觉到那人在场。

9 meddling   

v.干涉，干预（他人事务）( meddle的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He denounced all "meddling" attempts to promote a negotiation. 他斥责了一切“干预”促成谈判的企图。 来自辞典例句
• They liked this field because it was never visited by meddling strangers. 她们喜欢这块田野，因为好事的陌生人从来不到那里去。 来自辞典例句

10 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。