2007年VOA标准英语-Terrorism Remains Preeminent Threat to US Secur

By Peter Fedynsky
Washington
28 February 2007
 
watch Threat to US report

The director of U.S. National Intelligence, Admiral Mike McConnell, says terrorism remains¹ the preeminent² threat to American security.  But McConnell told the Senate Armed Services Committee that other threats endanger not only America and Americans, but people in many other parts of the world.  VOA's Peter Fedynsky reports.

National Intelligence Director John M. (Mike) McConnell testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington

National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell says that despite elimination³ of many senior leaders of the al Qaida terrorist organization, its core elements are resilient and continue to plot attacks against the United States and other targets.

"Indeed, al Qaida, along with other terrorist groups, continues to seek chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons or materials. Al Qaida also is forging stronger operational connections that radiate outward from their camps in Pakistan to affiliated⁴ groups and networks throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Europe."

Admiral McConnell says the second greatest threat to America and its allies are state and non-state actors that seek weapons of mass destruction.  He singled out North Korea and Iran, highlighting other threats emanating⁵ from Tehran.

"Iran is of concern beyond the reasons of nuclear aspirations⁶. The fall of the Taleban and Saddam, increased oil revenues, Hamas' electoral victory, and Hezbollah's perceived success in fighting against Israel all extend Iran's influence in the Middle East," said the intelligence director.

Admiral McConnell told the Senate panel that escalating⁷ demand for oil and gas has resulted in windfall profits for producer nations that are hostile to the United States, such as Iran and Venezuela.  He added that Russia now sees itself as an energy superpower, a status with broad ramifications⁸ for neighboring states.

Also testifying at the Senate hearing was Lieutenant⁹ General Michael Maples¹⁰, the director of the Defense¹¹ Intelligence Agency. He said Russian defense spending is third in the world, behind China and the United States.

"Russia is a leading arms exporter, with major sales of advanced weapons and military-related technology to China, India, Iran and Venezuela,” the general testified. “Russia and China continue to be the primary states of concern regarding developing military space and counter-space programs."

Armed Services Committee member Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia noted¹² the need for greater collaboration¹³ among U.S. and foreign intelligence agencies since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. "In addition, we'll need more and better human intelligence capacity, improved language abilities and cultural awareness¹⁴ -- underline cultural awareness, how clearly that has come to the forefront in our struggle to understand the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Senator Warner also urged the intelligence chiefs to be candid¹⁵ with U.S. policy makers¹⁶, however unpleasant or unpopular the truth may be.

1 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

2 preeminent   

adj.卓越的，杰出的

参考例句：

• Washington was recognized as the preeminent spokesman of American Negroes by 1895. 到1895年,华盛顿被公认为美国黑人的卓越代言人。
• He is preeminent because his articles are well written. 他的文章写得很漂亮,卓尔不群。

3 elimination   

n.排除，消除，消灭

参考例句：

• Their elimination from the competition was a great surprise.他们在比赛中遭到淘汰是个很大的意外。
• I was eliminated from the 400 metres in the semi-finals.我在400米半决赛中被淘汰。

4 affiliated   

adj. 附属的, 有关连的

参考例句：

• The hospital is affiliated with the local university. 这家医院附属于当地大学。
• All affiliated members can vote. 所有隶属成员都有投票权。

5 emanating   

v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的现在分词 )；产生，表现，显示

参考例句：

• Even so, there is a slight odour of potpourri emanating from Longfellow. 纵然如此，也还是可以闻到来自朗费罗的一种轻微的杂烩的味道。 来自辞典例句
• Many surface waters, particularly those emanating from swampy areas, are often colored to the extent. 许多地表水，特别是由沼泽地区流出的地表水常常染上一定程度的颜色。 来自辞典例句

6 aspirations   

强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音

参考例句：

• I didn't realize you had political aspirations. 我没有意识到你有政治上的抱负。
• The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。

7 escalating   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的现在分词 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• The cost of living is escalating. 生活费用在迅速上涨。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The cost of living is escalating in the country. 这个国家的生活费用在上涨。 来自辞典例句

8 ramifications   

n.结果，后果( ramification的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These changes are bound to have widespread social ramifications. 这些变化注定会造成许多难以预料的社会后果。
• What are the ramifications of our decision to join the union? 我们决定加入工会会引起哪些后果呢？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

10 maples   

槭树，枫树( maple的名词复数 )； 槭木

参考例句：

• There are many maples in the park. 公园里有好多枫树。
• The wind of the autumn colour the maples carmine . 秋风给枫林涂抹胭红。

11 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。

12 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。

13 collaboration   

n.合作，协作；勾结

参考例句：

• The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
• He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

14 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

15 candid   

adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的

参考例句：

• I cannot but hope the candid reader will give some allowance for it.我只有希望公正的读者多少包涵一些。
• He is quite candid with his friends.他对朋友相当坦诚。

16 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》