VOA标准英语2009-Clinton: Afghanistan Faces Critical Moment W

By Sean Maroney
Kabul
18 November 2009

 
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton greets embassy staff during a 'meet and greet' event at the US embassy in Kabul, 17 Nov 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Afghanistan to join foreign dignitaries and Afghan leaders Thursday for President Hamid Karzai's inauguration¹ ceremony.

Secretary Clinton says Afghanistan is at a critical moment in its history on the eve of the inauguration of President Hamid Karzai's second term.

Speaking alongside U.S. Ambassador to Kabul Karl Eikenberry, Clinton addressed a few hundred members of the U.S. Embassy staff.

"There is now a clear window of opportunity for President Karzai and his government to make a new compact with the people of Afghanistan to demonstrate clearly that we will have accountability and tangible² results that will improve the lives of the people who live throughout this magnificent country," she said.

The Obama administration and other Western leaders have repeatedly urged President Karzai to use his next five-year term to eliminate endemic corruption³. Earlier in the week, the Afghan government announced it plans to form a major anti-corruption unit for investigating graft⁴ among senior officials.

In Kabul, Clinton reaffirmed U.S. support for Afghanistan, which has suffered from its deadliest year for foreign troops and emerged from a fraud-ridden presidential election.

"We want to be a strong partner with the government and the people of Afghanistan, and I always say both because it is not either or - it has to be both," said the secretary of state.

This is Clinton's fourth visit to Afghanistan and first as U.S. Secretary of State. She arrived in Kabul from Beijing, where she was accompanying U.S. President Barack Obama.

Clinton met with U.S. Embassy leaders, as well as the top military commander for U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal.

Afghan authorities have deployed⁵ additional security throughout the capital before Thursday's inauguration. There is no large public ceremony expected, and it will be held as a private event on the heavily-guarded grounds of the presidential palace. 

1 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

2 tangible   

adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的

参考例句：

• The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
• There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。

3 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

4 graft   

n.移植，嫁接，艰苦工作，贪污；v.移植，嫁接

参考例句：

• I am having a skin graft on my arm soon.我马上就要接受手臂的皮肤移植手术。
• The minister became rich through graft.这位部长透过贪污受贿致富。

5 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。