2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Encourages New Iraqi Government

By Scott Stearns
Washington
25 April 2006

President Bush   
  
President Bush says Iraq's new government is an important milestone¹ that will make America safer. Iraqi politicians broke a four-month deadlock² over power sharing by choosing Shi'ite leader Jawad al-Maliki to be the new prime minister.

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President Bush says Iraq's new leadership reflects the nation's diversity and the will of its people who defied threats of violence by going to the polls last December.

The compromise includes another term for Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who is a Kurd, and the selection of Sunni Arab Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as speaker of parliament. The Shi'ite Prime Minister-designate, Jawad al-Maliki, now has 30 days to form a new government.

President Bush says he telephoned all three leaders to congratulate them on their courage and encourage them to stand strong for the Iraqi people.

"I reminded them that people had voted, that people had expressed their desire for democracy and unity³ and now there is a chance for these leaders to stand up and lead," he said.

Mr. Bush says those three leaders have important responsibilities to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure⁴, and improve its economy and security. He says the political compromise begins a new chapter in America's relationship with the Iraqi people and they will not face these challenges alone.

It was some much-needed good news from Iraq for President Bush whose record low public approval ratings are tied to falling public support for the war.

A USA Today / Gallup poll this month shows 65 percent of Americans disapprove⁵ of the way President Bush is handling the situation in Iraq.

Speaking to energy officials in Washington, Mr. Bush said the formation of a new government in Iraq will make America safer, and Iraq's new leaders understand the cost Americans have borne.

"It is important for the American people to know that these three leaders appreciate the sacrifice that our troops have made and that our taxpayers⁶ have made to help them realize a dream," noted⁷ President Bush.  "And the dream is to live in a unified⁸, free society. A free Iraq is in the interest of the United States of America. A free Iraq will be a part of laying the peace for generations to come. And a free Iraq will be a major defeat for the terrorists who still want to do us harm."

President Bush says Iraq is the central front in the fight against terrorism and it is better to fight enemies abroad rather than face them at home.

1 milestone   

n.里程碑；划时代的事件

参考例句：

• The film proved to be a milestone in the history of cinema.事实证明这部影片是电影史上的一个里程碑。
• I think this is a very important milestone in the relations between our two countries.我认为这是我们两国关系中一个十分重要的里程碑。

2 deadlock   

n.僵局，僵持

参考例句：

• The negotiations reached a deadlock after two hours.两小时后，谈判陷入了僵局。
• The employers and strikers are at a deadlock over the wage.雇主和罢工者在工资问题上相持不下。

3 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

4 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

5 disapprove   

v.不赞成，不同意，不批准

参考例句：

• I quite disapprove of his behaviour.我很不赞同他的行为。
• She wants to train for the theatre but her parents disapprove.她想训练自己做戏剧演员，但她的父母不赞成。

6 taxpayers   

纳税人，纳税的机构( taxpayer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Finance for education comes from taxpayers. 教育经费来自纳税人。
• She was declaiming against the waste of the taxpayers' money. 她慷慨陈词猛烈抨击对纳税人金钱的浪费。

7 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。

8 unified   

(unify 的过去式和过去分词)； 统一的； 统一标准的； 一元化的

参考例句：

• The teacher unified the answer of her pupil with hers. 老师核对了学生的答案。
• The First Emperor of Qin unified China in 221 B.C. 秦始皇于公元前221年统一中国。