VOA标准英语2009年-New Commander Says US Commitment to Pacifi

By Al Pessin
Honolulu, Hawaii
20 October 2009

Command of U.S. forces in Asia and the Pacific and Indian Oceans passed to a new commander on Monday at a ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Navy Admiral Robert Willard said the U.S. commitment to the region will continue.

 
US Navy Adm. Timothy Keating, US Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and US Navy Adm. Robert Willard, during Pacific Command change-of-command ceremony, at Camp Smith, Hawaii, 19 Oct 2009
In a ceremony steeped in tradition, Admiral Timothy Keating transferred command of all U.S. forces in the region to Admiral Willard, who has been working for him as chief of U.S. Navy forces in the area for the last two years.

Secretary of Defense¹ Robert Gates noted² that Pacific Command is responsible for U.S. military operations in half the world, and conducts a variety of missions ranging from humanitarian³ efforts to building relations with allies and helping⁴ to keep hostile states and organizations at bay.

"Leading a military organization in this part of the world requires a deft⁵ touch, a diplomat's sensibilities, a scholar's sense of the past and a commercial tycoon's business savvy," Gates said.

Gates said that while most of Asia is "relatively⁶ stable," currents of historic, economic and cultural problems lurk⁷ just below the surface.

The newly installed Pacific commander, Admiral Willard, said the region has become much more important to the United States and the world in recent decades.

"Constant throughout that time was a recognition of the vast and growing importance of Asia to the rest of the world. As both an economic engine in its own right and as a major thoroughfare for U.S. and world commerce, our nation's interests are here," Willard said. "And for our nation, Pacific Command has an essential presence in the Asia-Pacific region."

Willard said that people in the region need to understand Pacific Command's role, and trust that the U.S. commitment to the region will continue.

1 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。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 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。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

5 deft   

adj.灵巧的，熟练的（a deft hand 能手）

参考例句：

• The pianist has deft fingers.钢琴家有灵巧的双手。
• This bird,sharp of eye and deft of beak,can accurately peck the flying insects in the air.这只鸟眼疾嘴快，能准确地把空中的飞虫啄住。

6 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

7 lurk   

n.潜伏，潜行；v.潜藏，潜伏，埋伏

参考例句：

• Dangers lurk in the path of wilderness.在这条荒野的小路上隐伏着危险。
• He thought he saw someone lurking above the chamber during the address.他觉得自己看见有人在演讲时潜藏在会议厅顶上。