2007年VOA标准英语-Bush Says Fight in Iraq 'Can Be Won'

By Paula Wolfson
White House
19 March 2007

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George W. Bush speech on Iraq war anniversary, 19 Mar. 2007

U.S. President George Bush Monday asked Americans for their continued support for U.S. efforts in Iraq. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports from the White House, where the president made a brief televised statement on the status of the war, now entering its fifth year.

President Bush says the latest security sweep in Baghdad and al-Anbar province is showing signs of progress.  At the same time, he urges patience, saying success in Iraq will take months, not weeks.

"Fewer than half the troop reinforcements we are sending have arrived in Baghdad," Mr. Bush says. "The new strategy will need more time to take effect.  And there will be good days, and there will be bad days."

In his brief statement marking the fourth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion, Mr. Bush acknowledged the toll² the war has taken. 

"Four years after this war began, the fight is difficult, but it can be won," Mr. Bush says. "It will be won, if we have the courage and the resolve to see it through."

Once again, the president took issue with moves in the Democratic party-controlled Congress to set a deadline for U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq by September 2008, as part of an emergency funding bill.   He urged lawmakers to approve his request for emergency funding to meet this year's war expenses without conditions and without delay.

"It could be tempting³ to look at the challenges in Iraq, and conclude our best option is to pack up and go home," Mr. Bush says. "That may be satisfying in the short run.  But I believe the consequences for American security would be devastating⁴."

A few hours earlier, President Bush took part in a closed-door meeting on Iraq with members of his national security team, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense⁵ Secretary Robert Gates.   He also conferred via teleconference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

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 toll   

n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)

参考例句：

• The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
• The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。

3 tempting   

a.诱人的, 吸引人的

参考例句：

• It is tempting to idealize the past. 人都爱把过去的日子说得那么美好。
• It was a tempting offer. 这是个诱人的提议。

4 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

5 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。