2007年VOA标准英语-Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Rejects W

By Catherine Makino
Tokyo
10 April 2007

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki holds a press conference in Tokyo Tuesday, 10 April 2007

Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, on a visit to Tokyo, says there is no need to set a deadline for the United States to withdraw its troops from Iraq. Meanwhile, Japan promised to keep funding the reconstruction¹ of Iraq. Catherine Makino reports from Tokyo.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says he rejects the idea of a deadline for the United States to withdraw its troops from his country.

He told a press conference in Tokyo that his government was working quickly to improve security to make it possible for U.S. and other foreign troops to leave Iraq.
 
"There is no need for a timetable because we are working as fast as we can," he said. "What will govern the departure of troops will be victories achieved on the ground and not a timetable."
 
Mr. Maliki insisted it was Iraq's right to decide when the departure should take place.
 
"To demand the departure of the troops is a democratic right, a right that we respect, and is being practiced by organizations within Iraq and by the U.S Congress," Mr. Maliki says.
 
He noted² that any handover of military responsibilities would occur according to the "process of the United Nations," and insisted the troops would leave eventually.

Mr. Maliki also thanked Japan, a supporter of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, for its efforts to rebuild the country.

After a meeting with Mr. Maliki on Monday, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan would continue to provide aid for Iraq's reconstruction.

Tokyo will also lend Iraq $850 million to increase oil production, by investing in electrical and oil infrastructure³ damaged by insurgent⁴ attacks.

Japan will extend by two years a "special measures law" to support Iraq reconstruction work. The current legislation ends in July.

Tokyo had sent about 600 non-combat soldiers to Iraq where they have worked on reconstruction projects in southern Iraq since 2004. But the Japanese deployment⁵ was unpopular at home and the ground troops were withdrawn⁶.

Mr. Maliki, accompanied by five Cabinet members, also met Japan's Foreign Minister Taro⁷ Aso, Defense⁸ Minister Fumio Kyuma and economy minister Akira Amari. The Iraqis said they are hoping for investment in Iraq's electrical and petrochemical industries from private Japanese companies.

Earlier on Monday, Mr. Maliki met with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

1 reconstruction   

n.重建，再现，复原

参考例句：

• The country faces a huge task of national reconstruction following the war.战后，该国面临着重建家园的艰巨任务。
• In the period of reconstruction,technique decides everything.在重建时期，技术决定一切。

2 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。

3 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

4 insurgent   

adj.叛乱的，起事的；n.叛乱分子

参考例句：

• Faruk says they are threatened both by insurgent and government forces.法鲁克说，他们受到暴乱分子和政府军队的双重威胁。
• The insurgent mob assembled at the gate of the city park.叛变的暴徒聚在市立公园的门口。

5 deployment   

n. 部署,展开

参考例句：

• He has inquired out the deployment of the enemy troops. 他已查出敌军的兵力部署情况。
• Quality function deployment (QFD) is a widely used customer-driven quality, design and manufacturing management tool. 质量功能展开(quality function deployment,QFD)是一个广泛应用的顾客需求驱动的设计、制造和质量管理工具。

6 withdrawn   

vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出

参考例句：

• Our force has been withdrawn from the danger area.我们的军队已从危险地区撤出。
• All foreign troops should be withdrawn to their own countries.一切外国军队都应撤回本国去。

7 taro   

n.芋，芋头

参考例句：

• Main grain crop has taro,corn,banana to wait.主要粮食作物有芋头、玉米、芭蕉等。
• You celebrate your birthday with taro,red bean and butter.用红豆、芋头和黄油给自己过生日。

8 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。