2006年VOA标准英语-Bush, Koizumi Meet at White House

By Scott Stearns
White House
29 June 2006

President Bush met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the White House for talks on fighting terrorism and convincing North Korea to give up nuclear weapons.

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An honor guard of American soldiers welcomed the Japanese leader to the White House on his last official visit as prime minister.

George Bush, right, shakes hands with Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi during arrival ceremony on South Lawn of White House, Thursday  
  
Mr. Bush and Mr. Koizumi have built a strong friendship over the last five years, a bond that the president says shows how much relations between their countries have changed since the end of the Second World War.
 
"Decades ago, our two fathers looked across the Pacific and saw adversaries¹, uncertainty², and war. Today, their sons look across that same ocean and see friends and opportunity and peace," Mr. Bush said.

President Bush thanked the prime minister for Japan's commitment to fighting terrorism. Japan is the third largest contributor to Afghan reconstruction³ and sent troops to Iraq.

"The people of Japan can be proud of the contribution their self defense⁴ forces have made in the war on terror, and Americans are proud to serve alongside such courageous⁵ allies," the president said.

Prime Minister Koizumi said the two leaders have cooperated on a series of international issues from fighting terrorism to joining a multilateral effort to convince North Korea to give up nuclear weapons.

"Japan and the United States are allies on various matters not simply of bilateral⁶ relations but on the questions of how best we, our two countries, could cooperate together as allies in addressing various international issues," he said.

After their talks, the two leaders took questions from reporters in the White House East Room. They will have an official dinner Thursday before traveling to the southern state of Tennessee on Friday for a private tour of Graceland, the home of the late Rock and Roll legend Elvis Presley.

Prime Minister Koizumi is a big fan of the musician known as the King of Rock and Roll. President Bush joked that the Japanese leader's visit to the White House is nothing compared to Graceland.

"Officially he is here to see the president, but I know the highlight of his visit will be paying his respects to the King," he said.

Prime Minister Koizumi, who has recorded his own album of Elvis classics, thanked America for one of his favorite songs, 'Love Me Tender.' 

1 adversaries   

n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• That would cause potential adversaries to recoil from a challenge. 这会迫使潜在的敌人在挑战面前退缩。 来自辞典例句
• Every adversaries are more comfortable with a predictable, coherent America. 就连敌人也会因有可以预料的，始终一致的美国而感到舒服得多。 来自辞典例句

2 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

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 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。

5 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

6 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。