2007年VOA标准英语-Blair Promises Britain Will Remain Staunch Ally

By Scott Stearns
White House
17 May 2007

U.S. President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair met for what will probably be the last time at the White House Thursday, weeks before the prime minister steps down. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, the men discussed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the future of the trans-Atlantic alliance.

President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair talk outside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, 17 May 2007

The president and prime minister took advantage of their final official meeting to hold a secure video conference from the White House with U.S. and British commanders in Iraq.

Prime Minister Blair says there are genuine signs of progress toward political reconciliation¹ between Sunni and Shi'ites. But he says al-Qaida terrorists and Iranian-backed elements are equally determined² to disrupt that progress.

"This extremism is rearing its head, is trying to dislodge the prospects³ of stability and progress in so many difference countries," he said. "There is no alternative for us but to fight it wherever it exists. And that is true whether it is in our own countries, which have both suffered from terrorism, or in Iraq or Afghanistan."

Prime Minister Blair has long been the president's biggest ally in Iraq with British troops second only to the American contingent⁴ in the multi-national force.

The unpopular war has hurt approval ratings for both men and is seen in Britain as one of the reasons the prime minister is stepping down.

 

Asked if he is to blame for the prime minister leaving office, the president said he does not know, then laughed and said, "could be."

In a Rose Garden news conference, Mr. Bush said he has enjoyed working with Mr. Blair more than he could have possible imagined.

"You know, I don't regret things about what may or may not have happened over the past five years. I honor a relationship that I truly believe has been laying the foundation for peace," he said.

Prime Minister Blair says he has tried to do what is right and would ally himself with the president again if he had it to do over.

"I've admired him as a president and I regard him as a friend," he said. "I have taken the view that Britain should stand shoulder-to-shoulder with America after September the 11th. I have never deviated⁵ from that view. I do not regret that view. I am proud of the relationship we have had. I am proud of the relationship between our two countries."

While it was likely their last White House meeting, the two men will meet again as heads of government at next months G8 summit in Germany.

1 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。

2 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

3 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

4 contingent   

adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队

参考例句：

• The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。
• Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。

5 deviated   

v.偏离，越轨( deviate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• On this occasion the plane deviated from its usual flight path. 这一次那架飞机偏离了正常的航线。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His statements sometimes deviated from the truth. 他的陈述有时偏离事实。 来自《简明英汉词典》