VOA标准英语2009-France Honors Iraqi President Talabani With

By Lisa Bryant
Paris
16 November 2009

 
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, center, with French Industry Minister Christian¹ Estrosi, left, reviews troops upon his arrival at Paris Orly airport, 16 Nov.2009
Iraqi President Jalal Talibani marks his first official trip to France with a four-day visit that includes meetings with French political and business leaders.

Iraqi President Jalal Talibani is getting the red-carpet treatment in France, with the Iraqi flag flying on the Champs Elysees in Paris. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is hosting a dinner for Mr. Talibani who is also expected to meet with French business leaders.

The visit underscores the turnaround in French-Iraqi relations. In 2003, France led international opposition² to the U.S.-led war in Iraq. But in February, President Sarkozy paid his first visit to Baghdad.

French Ambassador to Iraq Boris Bouillon says today Paris is eager to capture a share of lucrative³ oil and reconstruction⁴ deals in Iraq.

Boillon told French radio that business potential in Iraq is enormous. He said the cost of reconstructing Iraq is estimated at $600-billion, and Iraq has massive oil reserves. And he said French business expertise⁵ in water, oil and infrastructure⁶ development is known worldwide, and France wants to be at the forefront of reconstructing Iraq.

France and Iraq are expected to sign several agreements dealing⁷ with aid, agricultural development, business and culture during Mr. Talibani's visit. French oil company Total also hopes to sign new deals to explore and drill in Iraq. 

1 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 lucrative   

adj.赚钱的，可获利的

参考例句：

• He decided to turn his hobby into a lucrative sideline.他决定把自己的爱好变成赚钱的副业。
• It was not a lucrative profession.那是一个没有多少油水的职业。

4 reconstruction   

n.重建，再现，复原

参考例句：

• The country faces a huge task of national reconstruction following the war.战后，该国面临着重建家园的艰巨任务。
• In the period of reconstruction,technique decides everything.在重建时期，技术决定一切。

5 expertise   

n.专门知识(或技能等)，专长

参考例句：

• We were amazed at his expertise on the ski slopes.他斜坡滑雪的技能使我们赞叹不已。
• You really have the technical expertise in a new breakthrough.让你真正在专业技术上有一个全新的突破。

6 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

7 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。