2007年VOA标准英语-Bush Praises Iraqi Vice President During White

By Scott Stearns
White House
15 March 2007

U.S. President George Bush says his decision to dispatch more troops to Iraq is designed to give the country's leaders a chance to reconcile their political differences. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, Mr. Bush met with Iraq's vice² president in Washington.

Mar1 2007" hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070528/0927130.jpg" width="210" vspace="2" border="0" />

President Bush talks with Iraqi Vice President al-Mahdi during Oval Office meeting, 15 Mar 2007

President Bush praised Vice President Adil Abd al-Mahdi's courage in escaping a recent assassination³ attempt. Following their talks, the president said sending more than 20,000 additional U.S. troops is meant to help Iraq's political reconciliation⁴.

"The main reason why I have reinforced our troops in Iraq is to give leaders such as yourself the opportunity to do the hard work of reconciliation," the president said. "I appreciate very much the progress that you are making. I know it is hard work."

Vice President al-Mahdi thanked President Bush for the support he has shown Iraq's government, and said the Baghdad security plan is making progress.

"We are not finished, but we are doing better than expected in this plan," he said. "This will not solve the whole problem; the reconciliation process will take our political agenda forward."

U.S. military officials say the latest effort to stop sectarian violence in Baghdad has reduced killings⁵, kidnappings, and bombings. But they caution that it will be months before the operation could be called a success.

A public opinion poll by the CNN television network says nearly 60 percent of Americans oppose the president's sending more troops to Iraq. Just more than 60 percent believe the United States is not winning the war.

Opposition⁶ Democrats⁷, who control Congress, are pushing for a timetable for the withdrawal⁸ of U.S. troops from Iraq. President Bush says he will veto any legislation limiting his ability to conduct the war.

1 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

2 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

3 assassination   

n.暗杀；暗杀事件

参考例句：

• The assassination of the president brought matters to a head.总统遭暗杀使事态到了严重关头。
• Lincoln's assassination in 1865 shocked the whole nation.1865年，林肯遇刺事件震惊全美国。

4 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

5 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

6 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。

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 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。