2007年VOA标准英语-Bush Facing Opposition on Iraqi Troop Surge

By Scott Stearns
White House
06 January 2007

In the coming week, U.S. President George Bush is expected to call for a temporary increase in U.S. troops in Iraq. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, the troop surge idea is already facing opposition¹ from many in Congress, including some from the president's own political party.

 
A US soldier in Baghdad
President Bush says his new thinking on Iraq is taking shape as he nears completion of a review of U.S. strategy there following his Republican Party's losses in November legislative² elections.

Following a meeting with German Chancellor³ Angela Merkel this past week, Mr. Bush said he will set clear goals for success in Iraq.

 
George Bush 
"One thing for certain is that I will want to make sure that the mission is clear and specific and can be accomplished," said Mr. Bush.

With opposition Democrats⁴ now in charge of both houses of Congress, they are criticizing the idea of a temporary troop surge even before the president unveils his plan.

Senate Majority Leader Harry⁵ Reid said adding to the more than 140,000 U.S. troops already in Iraq would be a serious mistake.

 
Harry Reid, 5 Jan 2007
"Our troops and their families have already sacrificed a great deal for Iraq," he said.  "They have done their part. It's time for the Iraqis to do their part."

In the Democratic radio address broadcast on Saturday, Reid said the president should start pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq in the next four to six months.

President Bush met with senators Friday to discuss his plans for Iraq and reportedly told them he would only approve a temporary troop surge if the Iraqi government offers certain guarantees.

Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu was in that meeting. She says many legislators from both parties are concerned about sending more troops to Iraq.

"It's not only that many Democrats have some questions about that, many Republicans have questions about a troop surge, which has been expressed in this meeting and outside of this meeting and all around the country," she noted⁶.

Public opinion polls show a majority of Americans now believe the war in Iraq was a mistake.

While most Republican legislators are waiting to hear what the president has to say about Iraq, some, including Senator Susan Collins and Congresswoman Heather Wilson, are publicly opposed to a troop surge.

White House officials say the president understands those reservations.

In the president's weekly radio address, he pledged to work with Democratic leaders in Congress on a new budget and on efforts to improve education. But there was no mention of Iraq.

The president will continue consulting with members of Congress in the coming week before his nationwide address on Iraq.

1 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。

2 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。

3 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

4 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》

5 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

6 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。