VOA标准英语2008年-US Announces $ 1 Billion Aid Package for Georgi

The Bush administration Wednesday announced a $1 billion economic aid package for Georgia to help that country recover from last month's conflict with Russia. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the U.S. package is part of an unprecedented¹ global show of support for Georgia in the face of aggression² by its larger neighbor. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.
　
Condoleezza Rice, 3 Sep 2008

Rice coupled announcement of the aid plan with harsh criticism of Russian behavior during and after the brief conflict.

She said the invasion by Russia failed to topple Georgia's democracy but has raised serious questions about the wisdom of integrating Moscow into international institutions.

The U.S. aid package is entirely³ economic and U.S. officials say they hope more than half of it, about $570 million, can be delivered by the end of the year.

Citing bipartisan sympathy and support for Georgia in the U.S. Congress, Rice expressed confidence the remainder will be provided, regardless of whether Senator Barack Obama or Senator John McCain wins the November election.

At the roll-out event for the aid plan, the Secretary of State said Russia may have demonstrated its military potency⁴ in Georgia but the operation has called into question its standing⁵ as a responsible player in world affairs. "It is very clear that Russia is not achieving its objectives. Georgian democracy is standing. It is thriving. It is receiving extraordinary international support -- that despite the unfortunate Russian decision to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which are zones of conflict and which in the very cease-fire agreement that Russia signed, were to be subject of international discussions," she said.

Administration officials who briefed reporters joined Rice in calling for full Russian adherence⁶ to the French-brokered cease-fire accord. They rejected Moscow's assertion it is entitled, under the six-point plan, to set up a buffer⁷ zone or checkpoints beyond the two disputed regions.

The State Department's top expert on the Caucasus region, Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza, also dismissed Moscow's continuing claim that Georgia started the conflict by its troop movement in South Ossetia August 7. "It did not begin on August 7th with the attack on Tskhinvali, by Georgia, which we do believe was a mistake. But it began much sooner, thanks to provocations⁸ by South Ossetian militias⁹ under the command, by the way, of Russian officers. So Georgia did not launch a war. Georgia was drawn¹⁰ into one," he said.

Bryza said there is no military aid in the U.S. package because of Georgia's pressing economic problems. But he clearly indicated that U.S. help in rebuilding the country's military will be forthcoming, once the Tbilisi government comes up with a new force-structure plan.

He rejected calls by Moscow for an arms embargo¹¹ on Georgia, calling it a peace-loving sovereign state that has a right to develop its own military for defense¹², and contributions to international peace-keeping.

 

1 unprecedented   

adj.无前例的，新奇的

参考例句：

• The air crash caused an unprecedented number of deaths.这次空难的死亡人数是空前的。
• A flood of this sort is really unprecedented.这样大的洪水真是十年九不遇。

2 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。

3 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

4 potency   

n. 效力，潜能

参考例句：

• Alcohol increases the drug's potency.酒精能增加这种毒品的效力。
• Sunscreen can lose its potency if left over winter in the bathroom cabinet.如果把防晒霜在盥洗室的壁橱里放一个冬天，就有可能失效。

5 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

6 adherence   

n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着

参考例句：

• He was well known for his adherence to the rules.他因遵循这些规定而出名。
• The teacher demanded adherence to the rules.老师要求学生们遵守纪律。

7 buffer   

n.起缓冲作用的人(或物)，缓冲器；vt.缓冲

参考例句：

• A little money can be a useful buffer in time of need.在急需时，很少一点钱就能解燃眉之急。
• Romantic love will buffer you against life's hardships.浪漫的爱会减轻生活的艰辛。

8 provocations   

n.挑衅( provocation的名词复数 )；激怒；刺激；愤怒的原因

参考例句：

• We cannot ignore such provocations. 对于这种挑衅，我们不能置之不理。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• They must immediately cease all their provocations. 他们必须停止一切挑衅。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

9 militias   

n.民兵组织，民兵( militia的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The troops will not attempt to disarm the warring militias. 部队并不打算解除战斗中的民兵武装。 来自辞典例句
• The neighborhood was a battleground for Shiite and Sunni militias. 那里曾是什叶派和逊尼派武装分子的战场。 来自互联网

10 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

11 embargo   

n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商）

参考例句：

• This country put an oil embargo on an enemy country.该国对敌国实行石油禁运。
• During the war,they laid an embargo on commerce with enemy countries.在战争期间，他们禁止与敌国通商。

12 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。