voa标准英语2008年-Laura Bush Urges Continued US Support for Afgha

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush says the United States must remain engaged in Afghanistan - and she is vowing¹ to remain involved in efforts to help Afghan women long after her husband's term in office ends. We have more from VOA White House correspondent Paula Wolfson.
　

First Lady Laura Bush (File)

Mrs. Bush has used the White House spotlight² to focus attention on the plight³ of the women and girls of Afghanistan.

She says there has been progress since she took up the cause - not long after the September 11 2001 attacks on the United States. But she concedes there have been setbacks too, noting the recent attack on a group of Afghan girls in Kandahar who were disfigured with acid as they walked to school.

"The really good news is the people who did it have been arrested. There is an Afghan police force now and an Afghan army that are building up to be able to protect the people of Afghanistan internally like we all want them to. And there are many, many signs of progress," she said.

During an appearance on American television, Mrs. Bush talked at length about her hopes for Afghanistan. She made clear she believes the stakes are high, and stressed America must stay involved.

"Most people in Afghanistan want to be able to build their country, live a decent life and not be afraid of a terrorist attack. And the fact is we just need to keep working with them so they can do it," said Mrs. Bush.

The First Lady told NBC's Meet the Press program that she intends to remain involved in the cause after she leaves the White House, mainly through the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council at Georgetown University, and an institute being established at her husband's presidential library.

Also appearing on Meet the Press was the Afghan Ambassador to the United States, Said Jawad, who echoed the need for long term U.S. support. He was asked about the inroads Taliban militants⁴ have been able to make in rural parts of Afghanistan.

"What my government needs is more resources to deliver services to provide protection to our people. In many areas where there is lack of delivery of the services because of the lack of human capital on the part of the Afghan people, or the shortage of resources, the Taliban are making a comeback. They do not provide a vision for the future of the country," said Jawad.

Jawad was then questioned about the possibility of talks between the elected Afghan government and elements of the Taliban. He said the intent is to stop the cycle of revenge and violence.

"We will not share power with them. We will not compromise on the values of the Afghan constitution. But if they realize there is no future for them in Afghanistan through military operations, they will come to the table and talk to us," he added.

He said there are some members of the Taliban who joined simply out of ignorance, or to escape poverty. He suggested they might be convinced to join the political process.

1 vowing   

起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• President Bush is vowing to help Minneapolis rebuild its collapsed bridge. 布什总统承诺将帮助明尼阿波利斯重建坍塌的大桥。
• President Bush is vowing to help Minneapolis rebuild this collapse bridge. 布什总统发誓要帮助明尼阿波利斯重建起这座坍塌的桥梁。

2 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

3 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

4 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。