2006年VOA标准英语-Rumsfeld Expresses Confidence NATO Will Provide

Afghanistan
By Barry Wood
Tirana
27 September 2006
 
Secretary of Defense¹ Donald Rumsfeld says he expects NATO countries to supply enough troops for peacekeeping duties in Afghanistan, where attacks by Taleban rebels have risen sharply. 

----

		Donald Rumsfeld speaks at a news conference in Tirana, Sept. 27, 2006

Defense Secretary Rumsfeld told reporters he is confident NATO member countries are committed to the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.

NATO troops have recently taken command of peacekeeping operations in southern Afghanistan and by the end of the year are expected to take over the eastern part, which is currently commanded by the United States.

Although NATO members have been slow to fill manpower gaps in the peacekeeping force, Rumsfeld said he believed the requirements would be met because it is "important to Europe and Asia."

Rumsfeld was in Albania to take part in the annual Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial. In addition to defense ministers from regional NATO countries and the Partnership² for Peace program, Bosnia, Georgia, Montenegro and Serbia attended as observers.

At least three of the countries at the meeting, Albania, Croatia and Macedonia, want to become NATO members. After the session, Rumsfeld said the talks give defense ministers a chance to discuss their progress and he looks forward to a further expansion of the alliance.

"It is an interaction between the nations that aspire³ to join NATO and the nations in NATO and their assessments⁴ as to the progress those countries are making with respect to the reforms that are appropriate for NATO members," he said. "For myself, I look forward to seeing a number of countries join NATO in the period ahead."

Defense Secretary Rumsfeld travels next to Slovenia where he will meet with NATO defense ministers for talks expected to focus on the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.

Those talks are also expected to include U.S. proposals that would enhance the ability of the alliance to carry out operations like the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.

Wednesday's Southeast Europe Defense Ministerial was also focused on strengthening military ties, regional security and participation⁵ in international military missions.

Set up in 1996 to promote regional military cooperation the ministerial heard a report on Kosovo, where a 16,000-member NATO-led force is responsible for peacekeeping.

Albanian Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu, the conference chairman, said the report stressed the need for Kosovo to maintain its multi-ethnic character. He said Albania will continue to support NATO by keeping military contingents⁶ in Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

"I believe this [commitment] is a really good thing for the Albanian armed forces because the lesson learned, which we have discussed a lot today, is the great experience we are getting on these missions and how it helps the transformation⁷ of the Albanian armed forces," said Mediu.

Albanian officials say unresolved issues and terrorism continue to make the region volatile⁸ and underscore the need for cooperation.

1 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。

2 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

3 aspire   

vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于

参考例句：

• Living together with you is what I aspire toward in my life.和你一起生活是我一生最大的愿望。
• I aspire to be an innovator not a follower.我迫切希望能变成个开创者而不是跟随者。

4 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

5 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

6 contingents   

（志趣相投、尤指来自同一地方的）一组与会者( contingent的名词复数 )； 代表团； （军队的）分遣队； 小分队

参考例句：

• We were forced to rely on French contingents. 我们势必被迫依恃法国驻军。
• The internal security forces are composed of contingents and mobile divisions. 内卫部队由各总队和机动师组成。

7 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

8 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。