VOA标准英语2009年-Baghdad Blasts Kill 95

Multiple explosions in the Iraqi capital have killed 95 people and wounded at least 310 others, in the worst day of violence in Baghdad since U.S. forces left urban areas in June.
　
Fire fighters respond as smoke billows over Iraqi Foreign Ministry¹, after massive bomb attack in Baghdad, 19 Aug 2009

One of the biggest bombs went off outside Iraq's Foreign Ministry, causing casualties both inside and outside the heavily fortified² building.

The blast shattered windows in the nearby parliament building, where lawmakers were in session.

Another truck bomb exploded outside the Finance Ministry, while police say mortar³ or rocket attacks struck other government buildings in the capital.

Baghdad's hospitals were overwhelmed by the number of injured, with reports that some victims were turned away for lack of space to treat them.

The explosions came within minutes of each other, suggesting tight coordination⁴, while the ability of two trucks laden⁵ with explosives to pass through various checkpoints to reach the center of Baghdad marked a major security breach⁶.
　
Aftermath of a bomb blast at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, 19 Aug, 2009

The attacks are the deadliest in Baghdad since the June 30 withdrawal⁷ of U.S. forces from Iraqi cities. They are also the latest in a spate⁸ of explosions, after a period of relative calm, as the nation prepares for elections early next year.

Professor Abdallah Al-Ashaal of the American University in Cairo says the situation poses a dilemma⁹ for both the Iraqis and the United States.

"The United States wants to get out from Iraq as soon aspossible, according to their schedule, and they want to leave Iraq secure at the same time," he said.

For Iraq, the violence further casts doubt on whether the government will be able to provide security for its citizens, or even provide enough stability to carry out the elections.

1 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

2 fortified   

adj. 加强的

参考例句：

• He fortified himself against the cold with a hot drink. 他喝了一杯热饮御寒。
• The enemy drew back into a few fortified points. 敌人收缩到几个据点里。

3 mortar   

n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合

参考例句：

• The mason flushed the joint with mortar.泥工用灰浆把接缝处嵌平。
• The sound of mortar fire seemed to be closing in.迫击炮的吼声似乎正在逼近。

4 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

5 laden   

adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的

参考例句：

• He is laden with heavy responsibility.他肩负重任。
• Dragging the fully laden boat across the sand dunes was no mean feat.将满载货物的船拖过沙丘是一件了不起的事。

6 breach   

n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破

参考例句：

• We won't have any breach of discipline.我们不允许任何破坏纪律的现象。
• He was sued for breach of contract.他因不履行合同而被起诉。

7 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

8 spate   

n.泛滥，洪水，突然的一阵

参考例句：

• Police are investigating a spate of burglaries in the area.警察正在调查这一地区发生的大量盗窃案。
• Refugees crossed the border in full spate.难民大量地越过了边境。

9 dilemma   

n.困境，进退两难的局面

参考例句：

• I am on the horns of a dilemma about the matter.这件事使我进退两难。
• He was thrown into a dilemma.他陷入困境。