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

By Scott Stearns
White House
29 April 2006

President Bush   
  
President Bush says the formation of a new government in Iraq has dealt terrorists a crippling blow.

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President Bush says Iraq's new government is an important milestone¹ on the road to democracy. In his weekly radio address, he said terrorists are resorting to desperate acts of violence, because they know that democracy in Iraq will deny them a safe haven².

"The terrorists clearly recognize the threat that the new unity³ government poses to their dark plans for Iraq and the broader Middle East," said Mr. Bush.  "This week, the terrorist Zarqawi, leader of al Qaida in Iraq, released a video, in which he denounced the new government, and promised further acts of terrorist violence."

President Bush says Iraq's new leaders are showing great courage in the face of terrorist threats, and are determined⁴ to lead their nation toward a peaceful future. He says those brave leaders deserve America's continued support, and U.S. troops will help them assume more responsibility for their own national security.

As Iraq makes progress toward a democracy that can govern itself, defend itself, and sustain itself, Mr. Bush says, more U.S. troops can come home.

The formation of a national unity government in Iraq is some welcome good news for the president at a time of falling public support for U.S. involvement there. A USA Today/Gallup poll shows 65 percent of Americans disapprove⁵ of the way President Bush is handling the situation in Iraq. Fifty-seven percent now believe it was a mistake to invade the country three years ago.

Eager to show signs of progress, President Bush says helping⁶ Iraq build a democracy deals terrorists what he calls a crippling blow. But the fight, he says, is still not finished.

"There will be more tough fighting ahead in Iraq and more days of sacrifice and struggle," he added.  "Yet the enemies of freedom have suffered a real blow in recent days, and we have taken great strides on the march to victory."

  
  
In the Democratic weekly radio address, the opposition⁷ party criticized Republicans for giving oil companies tax breaks at a time of record profits and soaring gas prices.

Michigan Congressman⁸ Bart Stupak says Republicans are turning a blind eye to oil industry activities, while consumers struggle with skyrocketing gas prices.

"From this Republican-controlled Congress, we hear more of the same, 'Let's just drill our way to energy independence, sacrifice our environment and provide big tax breaks to Big Oil [companies],'" said Mr. Stupak.

Stupak says Democrats⁹ want to roll back some of the $10 billion in tax cuts for oil companies to help pay energy bills for low-income Americans, small businesses and farmers.

President Bush is asking Congress to eliminate $2 billion worth of tax cuts over 10 years, and is calling on oil companies to voluntarily reinvest record profits in new technologies, more exploration and greater refining capacity.

A recent Washington Post/ABC News poll says 70 percent of Americans say higher gas prices are causing them financial hardship. And most are blaming President Bush, with 74 percent disapproving¹⁰ of how he is handling those higher prices.

Democrats hope to pick up seats in November legislative¹¹ elections by capitalizing on voter anxiety over energy costs.

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 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。

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 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

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 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。

7 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。

8 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

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》

10 disapproving   

adj.不满的，反对的v.不赞成( disapprove的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Mother gave me a disapproving look. 母亲的眼神告诉我她是不赞成的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Her father threw a disapproving glance at her. 她父亲不满地瞥了她一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。