2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Examining Options on Iraq Policy

By Sean Maroney
Washington
09 December 2006

U.S. President George Bush says his administration is reviewing the bipartisan report issued this past week on the situation in Iraq, and will seriously consider its recommendations. VOA's Sean Maroney reports from Washington, the president says he will also review other assessments² of U.S. strategy in Iraq.

George W. Bush

President Bush says he agrees with the Iraq Study Group's assessment¹ that the country can "govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself."  In his weekly radio address Saturday, he also said he was encouraged that the group shared his reservations against an abrupt³ withdrawal⁴ of U.S. troops from the country.

"The Iraq Study Group understands the urgency of getting it right in Iraq," said Mr. Bush.  "The group also understands that while the work ahead will not be easy, success in Iraq is important, and success in Iraq is possible."

The report, issued Wednesday, made specific recommendations for what it calls a "grave and deteriorating⁵ situation" in Iraq.  Among them is withdrawal of most U.S. combat troops by early 2008. It also recommends U.S. forces gradually switch from combat to training and support.

The report suggests the United States move to a regional, rather than unilateral, approach to stabilizing⁶ the country. 

President Bush responded that neither he nor Congress will approve of all 79 recommendations.  However, he promised to seriously consider them, along with reviews by the Pentagon, the State Department and the National Security Council.

"I look forward to receiving their recommendations.  I want to hear all advice as I make the decisions to chart a new course in Iraq," he added.

In the Democratic radio address, incoming House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Sylvestre Reyes, said the Iraq Study Group's report echoes his party's position to chart a new course.

"Their report confirms what most of us have known for some time, President Bush's policy of stay the course is not working," he said.  "We need a new approach."

Reyes agreed with the report's suggestion for the United States to engage Iran and Syria in dialogue.

"President Bush has not done this, but he must, because our nation's security and the well-being⁷ of over 150,000 troops there depend on it," he added.

On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she is ready for wide-ranging dialogue with her Iranian counterpart, if Iran halts uranium enrichment and returns to negotiations⁸ on its nuclear program.

In his radio address, Mr. Bush said it is the responsibility of both Republicans and Democrats⁹ to work on finding the best way forward.

"The future of a vital region of the world and the security of the American people depend on victory in Iraq," added Mr. Bush.  "I'm confident that we can move beyond our political differences and come together to achieve that victory."

This coming week, the president is scheduled to meet with military officials and independent experts on Iraq.

1 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

2 assessments   

n.评估( assessment的名词复数 )；评价；（应偿付金额的）估定；（为征税对财产所作的）估价

参考例句：

• He was shrewd in his personal assessments. 他总能对人作出精明的评价。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Surveys show about two-thirds use such assessments, while half employ personality tests. 调查表明，约有三分之二的公司采用了这种测评；而一半的公司则采用工作人员个人品质测试。 来自百科语句

3 abrupt   

adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的

参考例句：

• The river takes an abrupt bend to the west.这河突然向西转弯。
• His abrupt reply hurt our feelings.他粗鲁的回答伤了我们的感情。

4 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

5 deteriorating   

恶化，变坏( deteriorate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The weather conditions are deteriorating. 天气变得越来越糟。
• I was well aware of the bad morale and the deteriorating factories. 我很清楚，大家情绪低落，各个工厂越搞越坏。

6 stabilizing   

n.稳定化处理[退火]v.（使）稳定， （使）稳固( stabilize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The disulfide bridges might then be viewed primarily as stabilizing components. 二硫桥可以被看作是初级的稳定因素。 来自辞典例句
• These stabilizing design changes are usually not desirable for steady-state operation. 这些增加稳定性的设计改变通常不太符合稳态工作的要求。 来自辞典例句

7 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

8 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

9 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》