VOA标准英语2008年-Pentagon Not Convinced Russian Withdrawal from

The Pentagon says it is too early to determine whether small scale Russian troop movements out of Georgia are the beginning of a real withdrawal¹, or just a public relations ploy². VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.
　
Russian soldiers block the highway near Igoeti, northwest of Tbilisi, 20 Aug 2008

Reporters in Georgia say they have seen several dozen Russian military trucks heading north toward the border, but they have not seen any heavy military equipment or artillery³ pieces on their way out. Pentagon Spokesman Bryan Whitman says he has only seen media reports about movements around a key Georgian town, and is not convinced this is the beginning of the full withdrawal Russia has promised to make.

"There are reports of some movement out of Gori, and we're going to have to see whether or not that is the beginning of a true withdrawal of if this is some sort of token effort designed for you and others to report on," Whitman said. "We'll see. I think it's too early for us to determine whether or not this is really the Russians committing to withdrawing their forces."

Russia's president signed the ceasefire and withdrawal agreement on Saturday, and U.S. officials say Russian troops should have already largely withdrawn⁴.
　
Pentagon spokesman Brian Whitman (file photo)

Whitman also said U.S. officials have complained to Russia about the taking of several U.S. military vehicles from the Georgian Port of Poti. The jeep-like Humvees were awaiting shipment out of Georgia after being used in a training exercise. Whitman says the issue remains⁵ "unresolved."

The Pentagon spokesman also reports the U.S. humanitarian⁶ airlift to Georgia has delivered a total of 240 metric tons of aid, mainly medical supplies, tents, bedding and food. Also on Tuesday, a State Department spokesman said Turkey has agreed to allow two U.S. Navy ships and one from the Coast Guard to transit⁷ into the Black Sea to deliver larger quantities of aid.

 

1 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

2 ploy   

n.花招，手段

参考例句：

• I think this is just a government ploy to deceive the public.我认为这只是政府欺骗公众的手段。
• Christmas should be a time of excitement and wonder,not a cynical marketing ploy.圣诞节应该是兴奋和美妙的时刻，而不该是一种肆无忌惮的营销策略。

3 artillery   

n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队)

参考例句：

• This is a heavy artillery piece.这是一门重炮。
• The artillery has more firepower than the infantry.炮兵火力比步兵大。

4 withdrawn   

vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出

参考例句：

• Our force has been withdrawn from the danger area.我们的军队已从危险地区撤出。
• All foreign troops should be withdrawn to their own countries.一切外国军队都应撤回本国去。

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

6 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

7 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。