2007年VOA标准英语-US Commander Says Stopping Iraqi Bombings Is To

By Al Pessin
Pentagon
18 April 2007

The senior U.S. military officer in charge of operations in the Middle East and Central Asia says his top priority for Iraq is to end the series of suicide bombings, like the ones Wednesday that left more than 165 people dead. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

Admiral William Fallon (Feb 2007 photo)

Admiral William Fallon told a congressional committee that of the many important things for the U.S. military to do in Iraq, stopping the bombings is the most important.

"Of all the things that we have on the plate in Iraq, the one that I think is first and foremost as a target for us to try to get a grip on and to neutralize¹ is the group that is very clearly al-Qaida-motivated, that's linked to Sunni extremists in this country that are perpetrating these big suicide bombings," said Admiral Fallon.

Admiral Fallon said the bombings have a destabilizing effect on Iraq and are aimed at starting a new cycle of sectarian violence that must be avoided.

"The best, most likely way that this is going to be reduced is by getting the Sunni population in this country to believe that they have a future as a part of Iraq, and to tell us at every opportunity, or tell the Iraqi security forces, what's going on so that we can really work against this threat, because of all the challenges, all the things that happen, that are not good in this country [Iraq], this is the one that I think is most destabilizing today," he said.

The admiral said it is too early to judge the new Baghdad Security Plan because only about one third of the additional U.S. troops have arrived in the city. He said the plan is designed to give Iraqi leaders enough security to begin pursuing reconciliation², and help Iraqis, particularly Sunnis, begin to believe that they will have a better future working with the Shiite-dominated government than with the Sunni insurgents³.

The admiral said that is already happening in mainly Sunni al-Anbar Province in western Iraq. That province had been one of the most violent in the country until tribal⁴ leaders decided⁵ to switch their allegiance from the insurgents to the Iraqi government and the U.S.-led coalition⁶. The admiral reports there have now been eight consecutive⁷ weeks of reduced violence in al-Anbar.

Admiral Fallon took charge of U.S. Central Command just one month ago. He says during that time he has seen some improvement in the situation in Iraq, but he also acknowledged that there are setbacks every week. He said the U.S. and Iraqi governments need to work on a large number of issues, including building the capability⁸ of the new Iraqi security forces and improving Sunni-Shiite relations, and he called on Iraq's neighbors to help.

1 neutralize   

v.使失效、抵消，使中和

参考例句：

• Nothing could neutralize its good effects.没有什么能抵消它所产生的好影响。
• Acids neutralize alkalis and vice versa.酸能使碱中和碱，亦能使酸中和。

2 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。

3 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

4 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

7 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

8 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。