2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Holds Consultations on Iraq Strategy

By Paula Wolfson
Washington
11 December 2006

President Bush, left, along with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks to members of media following their meeting at State Department in Washington, 11 Dec 2006

President Bush has begun three days of intense consultations¹ on his Iraq policy. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports from the White House, he began with a trip to the State Department to hear the views of top diplomats² and officials working on Iraqi reconstruction³.

President Bush began by reviewing diplomatic and political options with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and members of her team both in Washington and Baghdad.

Their discussions, with participants in Iraq taking part by teleconference, took place behind closed doors. Afterwards, the president spoke⁴ briefly⁵ to reporters.

"I appreciate the advice I got from those folks in the field," he said. "And that advice is an important part, an important component⁶ of putting together a new way forward in Iraq."

Mr. Bush spoke in general terms, and did not reveal specifics of his consultations at the State Department. He simply thanked the department staff for its work on Iraq, and said he would meld their recommendations with those he receives from military officials and outside experts. He stressed they all share a common goal: an Iraq that can sustain, govern, and defend itself.

"There is no question we got to make sure that the State Department and the Defense⁷ Department's efforts and recommendations are closely coordinated⁸, so that when I do speak to the American people they will know that I have listened to all aspects of government and that the way forward is a way forward to achieve our objective, to succeed," noted⁹ Mr. Bush.

The president noted the discussions on Iraq at the State Department also focused on   "the neighborhood." He said the countries that surround Iraq also have a stake in its success.

"We believe that most of the countries understand that a mainstream¹⁰ society, a society that is a functioning democracy is in their interest," he continued. "And it is up to us to help focus their attentions and focus their efforts on helping¹¹ the Iraqis succeed."

Last week, Mr. Bush received the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. The panel called for the administration to engage directly with Iran and Syria. But the White House says it will not agree to direct talks with Tehran until Iran suspends its nuclear enrichment activities.

The Iraq Study Group also urged the president to withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq by early 2008, leaving behind advisors¹² and military trainers. That recommendation has also received a cool reception from the Bush administration.

White House officials originally suggested the administration's own review of Iraq policy would be complete in time for the president to announce possible changes in strategy before Christmas. But now they say there is still work to be done and while they would like to make the announcement next week, there are not making any promises.

1 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》

2 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 reconstruction   

n.重建，再现，复原

参考例句：

• The country faces a huge task of national reconstruction following the war.战后，该国面临着重建家园的艰巨任务。
• In the period of reconstruction,technique decides everything.在重建时期，技术决定一切。

4 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。

5 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

6 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

7 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。

8 coordinated   

adj.协调的

参考例句：

• The sound has to be coordinated with the picture. 声音必须和画面协调一致。
• The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

9 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。

10 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

11 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

12 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