VOA常速英语2007年-US Army Chief Says Service Consumed by Demands

By Jim Fry
Washington
16 November 2007
 

U.S. Army officials have told a key U.S. Senate committee that the demands of fighting two wars are outstripping¹ the army's ability to remain ready for conflict. At the same time, Democratic congressional leaders say they are unlikely to approve new war funding until President Bush accepts a timetable for withdrawal² from Iraq. VOA's Jim Fry reports.

U.S. troops have been at war in Afghanistan for more than six years.

And they have been fighting in Iraq going on five years. Together, the army says the wars represent the third longest conflict in U.S. history.

U.S. soldiers now spend 12 months at home, before they go back to a war zone, and are away from their families for 15 months.

Army Secretary Pete Geren told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday this is the longest fight ever for the all-volunteer military force. "We're in uncharted waters both for the soldiers and the families."

Geren and Army Chief of Staff General George Casey asked the Senate Armed Services Committee for help.

The services report that sustained conflict is hard on equipment, as well as men. Congress has provided the Army and Marine³ Corps⁴ with $49 billion to repair and replace equipment, but government auditors⁵ say it may not be enough.

General Casey told senators the army is out of balance. He said, "The current demand for our forces exceeds the sustainable supply. We're consumed with meeting the demands of the current fight and are unable to provide ready forces as rapidly as necessary for other contingencies⁶."

Democrats⁷ and Republicans on the committee pledged to support the needs of America's soldiers.

But the political battle over the American military presence in Iraq threatens current funding. Democrats want to require President Bush to start bringing troops home in return for the money he has requested.

The House on Wednesday narrowly approved $50 billion in short term funding, but set a goal of ending combat in about a year. The White House threatened to veto the measure.

Geren says the army will soon have to begin using its yearly operating funds to pay for the war. "We will run through our operations and maintenance account. But if we do not get some funding relief by mid-February, we will be in a position where we will have to start furloughing our civilians⁸, canceling contracts."

Republican lawmaker Jeff Sessions accused Democrats of playing political games. "It's just unthinkable that we would commit military men and women to harm's way. General Casey, you commanded those troops over there. They are entitled to absolute support from the United States Congress," he said. 

Democrats on the committee countered by asking when Iraqi forces will take over for U.S. troops as the president has pledged.

Their conversation:
Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin: " Is there a goal for the transition that the president has talked about? That's my question. Do you know of a goal?"

Casey: "A temporal [time related] goal?"

Levin: "Yes."

Casey: "I don't know of a temporal goal."

Levin: "Secretary?"

Geren: "I do know know of a temporal goal"

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats say they will not even consider the funding issue until next year, unless they can impose a goal on the administration for withdrawal from Iraq.

1 outstripping   

v.做得比…更好，（在赛跑等中）超过( outstrip的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Demand is outstripping supply. 需求快超过供给了。
• Demand is outstripping current production. 现在需求逐渐超过了生产能力。 来自辞典例句

2 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

3 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

4 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

5 auditors   

n.审计员，稽核员( auditor的名词复数 )；（大学课程的）旁听生

参考例句：

• The company has been in litigation with its previous auditors for a full year. 那家公司与前任审计员已打了整整一年的官司。
• a meeting to discuss the annual accounts and the auditors' report thereon 讨论年度报表及其审计报告的会议

6 contingencies   

n.偶然发生的事故，意外事故( contingency的名词复数 )；以备万一

参考例句：

• We must consider all possible contingencies. 我们必须考虑一切可能发生的事。
• We must be prepared for all contingencies. 我们要作好各种准备，以防意外。 来自辞典例句

7 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》

8 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。