VOA标准英语2009-British and Pakistani Leaders Discuss Anti-Talib

The conflict between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters in the North-West Frontier Province topped the agenda as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown held talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at 10 Downing Street.
　
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown (l) and Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari give a joint¹ news conference inside 10 Downing Street in London, 13 May 2009

On his way home from his first official visit to the United States, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari stopped in London for two days of discussions.

His first meeting was with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at his official residence.

At a joint news conference, Mr. Brown praised the current Pakistani army offensive against Taliban targets in the Swat valley.

"President Zardari's troops are risking their lives courageously² fighting extremists as we speak, a vital task which of course has had an impact on human beings and their local communities many of whom have been displaced as a result," he said.

Because of this, Mr. Brown said Britain is pledging $18 million worth of additional humanitarian³ aid in the form of food, water, shelter and sanitation⁴ that will directed at those being displaced in the northwest.

In addition to the aid, the prime minister said he expects much more cooperation between Britain and Pakistan over a wide range of issues.

"We need a more comprehensive approach and we need therefore a new concordant spanning economic development, strengthening institutions, improved security through deeper cooperation on both counter-terrorism and other issues," said British prime minister.

Mr. Brown said helping⁵ the effort to tackle terrorism in Pakistan and improving health and education there were important priorities for his government.

Mr. Zardari said the fight against extremists in particular is a struggle that will not be solved overnight.

"It is the challenge of the 21st century," he said. "We have to acknowledge, accept and work with it. It is there to stay. It is not a short-term affair. It is a long-term endeavor and we both are united to fight against this endeavor, which is challenging our way of life and wants to challenge the way of life with the world."

Islamabad says 15,000 security troops have moved into the tribal⁶ areas.

1 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。

2 courageously   

ad.勇敢地，无畏地

参考例句：

• Under the correct leadership of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, the army and civilians in flooded areas fought the floods courageously, reducing the losses to the minimum. 在中共中央、国务院的正确领导下，灾区广大军民奋勇抗洪，把灾害的损失减少到了最低限度。
• He fought death courageously though his life was draining away. 他虽然生命垂危，但仍然勇敢地与死亡作斗争。

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 sanitation   

n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备

参考例句：

• The location is exceptionally poor,viewed from the sanitation point.从卫生角度来看，这个地段非常糟糕。
• Many illnesses are the result,f inadequate sanitation.许多疾病都来源于不健全的卫生设施。

5 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。

6 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。