VOA标准英语10月-Bush Pledges Unity to Confront Financial Crisis

President George Bush says the United States is working with other countries to restore strength and stability to international financial markets. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports he spoke¹ after talks at the White House with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
　

President Bush waves as he and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi conclude their joint2 statement in Rose Garden of White House, 13 Oct 2008

The two met amid the first positive news in days from financial markets around the world.

After a weekend meeting of key finance ministers in Washington, and a series of steps taken by governments on both sides of the Atlantic, the markets began to rebound³ following a series of heavy losses.

From the White House, there appeared to be a small sigh of relief mixed with the realization⁴ that these gains are fragile and the markets remain volatile⁵.

President Bush sounded a bit hopeful.

"These are tough times for our economies," President Bush said. "Yet we can be confident that we can work our way through these challenges."

The president said the Europeans have taken bold and specific action. He made clear there is no time to waste.

"People all over the world are understandably concerned about the global financial crisis and about how it will affect their families and their businesses," he said.

He said the United States and its allies are focusing on measures to help banks gain access to capital, to strengthen the financial system, and to make sure businesses and consumers have access to adequate credit.

Earlier, at an arrival ceremony for Italy's prime minister, he stressed the need for coordination⁶ among nations in a sustained effort to get the markets back on sound footing.

"All of us will continue taking responsible, decisive action to restore credit and stability and return to vigorous growth," Mr. Bush said.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said that the world has never seen a financial crisis like this one.

But he too struck an optimistic note, saying he is 100 percent confident current economic obstacles can be overcome.

During his visit to the White House, Mr. Berlusconi also said President Bush intends to meet sometime in the next few weeks with leaders of the Group of Eight - the organization of major industrialized nations.

But White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said while the administration is open to such a meeting at some point in the future, no decision has been made and no date has been set.

1 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。

2 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

3 rebound   

v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回

参考例句：

• The vibrations accompanying the rebound are the earth quake.伴随这种回弹的振动就是地震。
• Our evil example will rebound upon ourselves.我们的坏榜样会回到我们自己头上的。

4 realization   

n.实现；认识到，深刻了解

参考例句：

• We shall gladly lend every effort in our power toward its realization.我们将乐意为它的实现而竭尽全力。
• He came to the realization that he would never make a good teacher.他逐渐认识到自己永远不会成为好老师。

5 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

6 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。