2007年VOA标准英语-Iraqi Kurdistan Government Takes Over Security

By Barry Newhouse
Irbil
30 May 2007

U.S.-led coalition¹ forces have formally handed over the responsibility for security in three northern Iraqi provinces to the autonomous² Kurdistan government. The carefully orchestrated handover ceremony emphasized Iraqi unity³. But VOA's Barry Newhouse reports from Irbil that there were also signs of Kurdish resistance to Iraqi central-government rule.

Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani (r) and US Major General Benjamin Mixon, Irbil, 30 May 2007

The handover ceremony began with the rare performance of the Iraqi national anthem⁴ by a Kurdish orchestra in the capital of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Iraqi National Security Advisor⁵ Mowaffak al-Rubaie said the Kurdish government and the central government in Baghdad had overcome many obstacles leading up to the formal transfer of security.

He says the last problem was the flag, and you see here the Iraqi flag beside the Kurdistan flag and the Iraqi national anthem played with the Kurdistan national anthem.

The Iraqi flag is rarely seen in the Kurdish north, where many people view it as a symbol the repressive rule of former dictator Saddam Hussein.

Iraq's Kurdish region has been effectively self-governed since 1992, after the U.N.-mandated no-fly zone pushed out the military of Saddam Hussein.

Since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the Kurdish north has largely remained under the control of Kurdish security forces and has been spared much of the sectarian violence in the rest of the country.

The ceremony officially turns over security responsibilities of the three provinces of Irbil, Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk. Coalition forces already turned over authority of four majority Shi'ite provinces in the far south earlier this year.

Following the official handover, Iraqi, Kurdish and American officials gathered outside for a military parade of Kurdish soldiers and police officers.

These soldiers are considered among the best organized and trained security forces in Iraq, and they are controlled by the Kurdistan government, not central-government authorities in Baghdad.

Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechiran Barzani said the transfer of the security authority is a good thing for all Iraqis.

He says a success for any part of Iraq is a success for all of Iraq. He also says the Kurds believe that federalism is the best system to serve the hopes of all Iraqis.

Kurdish officials have been strong advocates of a federal system that gives regional authorities control over a wide range of internal issues.

The prime minister also spoke⁶ about several contentious⁷ upcoming public votes in parts of northern Iraq. The areas now under Baghdad's control, including the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, could change to Kurdish-government control.

Iraqi officials in Baghdad have recommended delaying the vote, but the prime minister said those people must be given the chance to decide their future before the end of the year.

1 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。

2 autonomous   

adj.自治的；独立的

参考例句：

• They proudly declared themselves part of a new autonomous province.他们自豪地宣布成为新自治省的一部分。
• This is a matter that comes within the jurisdiction of the autonomous region.这件事是属于自治区权限以内的事务。

3 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

4 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

5 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

6 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

7 contentious   

adj.好辩的，善争吵的

参考例句：

• She was really not of the contentious fighting sort.她委实不是好吵好闹的人。
• Since then they have tended to steer clear of contentious issues.从那时起，他们总想方设法避开有争议的问题。