VOA标准英语2009-Gates: Probe Into Afghan Civilian Deaths Not Com

U.S. Defense¹ Secretary Robert Gates said the joint² U.S.-Afghan investigation³ into civilian⁴ casualties Sunday in Farah Province is not complete, and while he regrets any loss of civilian lives he is not ready to say who killed these particular people. Gates spoke⁵ while on a visit to Kabul.
　
U.S Defense Sec. Robert Gates speaks at a news conference in Kabul, 07 May 2009

Secretary Gates said he has heard the reports that Taliban forces killed the villagers in Farah province, and then blamed the deaths on a U.S. air strike in the area.

"The information that you cite about the Taliban throwing grenades into houses to create civilian casualties and put the blame on the United States is a report I have heard. But I think we will have to wait and see what the results of the investigation are," he said.

Gates: exploiting civilian deaths is Taliban strategy

Secretary Gates told American and Afghan reporters that when the coalition⁶ causes civilian casualties it is by accident, but Taliban forces kill civilians⁷ deliberately⁸.

"Fundamentally, people need to recognize that exploiting civilian casualties, and often causing civilian casualties, are a fundamental part of the Taliban strategy," he added.

Secretary Gates said that is something the coalition constantly must work against.

"It doesn't matter that it's part of the Taliban strategy. It's what matters in the eyes of the Afghan people, and so it's so important for us to be seen as their partner and their ally, not as somebody who has come to do them harm," he said.

US working to reduce civilian casualties

Working to minimize civilian casualties has been a major initiative for Secretary Gates. He established a policy last year under which the U.S. forces are even more careful about their targeting, and pay reparations to families even if the cause of casualties is not clear. On Thursday, he reported that Afghan civilian casualties have fallen 40 percent since January, while casualties among coalition and Afghan troops have risen 75 percent. Military officers say U.S. casualties will likely go up as more forces arrive in the coming months, particularly in Southern Afghanistan where the Taliban is strong.

Gates spoke after a day of visits to U.S. bases in the south. He thanked the troops for their efforts, and said more help is on the way.

 

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 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

3 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

4 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

5 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

6 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

7 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

8 deliberately   

adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地

参考例句：

• The girl gave the show away deliberately.女孩故意泄露秘密。
• They deliberately shifted off the argument.他们故意回避这个论点。